Since I offered up my Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe as a sweet treat to celebrate the holiday, I figured it was only fair I offer a healthy alternative as well. If you read my Tropical Green Mango Smoothie Recipe recipe you can read about all the reasons smoothies are awesome.
For the recipe below I was looking to include some of my favorite fruits while adding in some protein as an added benefit. Protein is extremely important to most of what the body does. Getting enough protein supports your immune response and metabolic reactions while also assisting in cellular repair and acting as a source of energy. Especially for those of us living an active lifestyle and looking to burn fat while building muscle, there is no way to do it without a diet supported by protein. The Greek yogurt in the recipe below provides that protein punch while also being an excellent source of calcium which improves bone health and probiotics which support a healthy bacterial balance in the gut.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen berry blend containing blueberries, raspberries, and black berries
- 1 cup of fresh strawberries with the leafy tops removed
- 1 banana
- 1 cup of coconut water
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt
Optional Additions:
- 1 tablespoon of honey- If you are interested in a sweeter smoothie add in a little honey, this smoothie is already sweet given the natural sugars and sweetness in the fruits but honey is a suitable addition.
- 2 scoops of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides– When making smoothies for my children I do not add this as their little bodies already produce plenty of collagen. However, after the age of twenty- five the production of collagen begins to slow. Collagen Peptides are paleo and keto friendly, while packing additional protein and amino acids that are essential to our health.
