[Recipe] Pink Coconut Green Smoothie (Banana-Less)

Now how confusing a title is that? This tasty smoothie is pink. It’s got coconut in it. It has veggies in it. So that’s a ‘green’ smoothie, then? Yes, yes, yes! So, it’s a pink, coconut, green smoothie. (What a difference punctuation makes to understanding the meaning of a sentence.)

We think bananas are amazing and so healthy. However, some folks do not agree with that, so every now and again we include a smoothie recipe that does not contain banana.

This smoothie is full of healthy nutrients including healthy fat, carotene, betaine, Vitamin C and fiber, to mention just a few. If the hot pink is too much for you first thing in the morning, then add a couple of handfuls of greens to reduce the glare, lol! But, believe me, it’s good.

This is a naturally sweet smoothie as both the beet and carrot are sweet.

The recipe comes from Robyn Openshaw at GreenSmoothieGirl. You’ll find the details at the end of the post. Robyn likes to get some extra probiotic benefits so she says …

I’ve evolved this recipe to also cover PROBIOTIC needs. I use water kefir grains to “ferment” the coconut water. You can buy it canned with no additives and some brands are even organic. I get canned coconut water at Costco or the health food store (where they sometimes have case sales). Every day, I strain the coconut water “kefir” into my blender and add another can to the jar of water kefir grains. (You can buy grains online or at many health food stores.)

Fermenting your coconut water is a very easy HABIT you can start that will really improve your digestive health and your immune function. I do not like “water kefir” because of the sugar.

Please turn to the Next Page (click button below) for the recipe …

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Video Recipe: Pink Coconut Green Smoothie (Banana-Less)

Serves 2 large or 4 cups
Total recipe has about 570* cals, therefore:
– 1/2 recipe has about 185 cals;
– 1/4 recipe has about 145 cals.

* Different calculators give different results, hence these are estimates.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Coconut Water**
• 1/4 cup raw Cashews (not roasted)
• 2–4 large Dates, pitted
• 1 large Carrot, or 2-3 small, well washed, cut in chunks, (peeled if necessary)
• 1/3 of a medium raw Beet, peeled
• 12 large Strawberries (10 oz. bag), or equivalent amount of frozen blueberries

Blend until smooth and enjoy.
** For added nutrients: “ferment” it overnight on the counter with water kefir grains, strain it, and put new coconut water in for tomorrow.

Using fermented products can greatly improve gut health and boost the immune system.

As an alternative, if you do not have coconut water then soak some unsweetened, shredded coconut in a little of the water for some coconut flavor. This will increase the calories, but coconut is so good for you that unless you are having it by the ton – ok, slight exaggeration – it should not affect your weight loss, and may in fact help.
Remember that by varying the fruit, veg and nuts you will reap the benefits of the differing nutrients each provides. Some examples:

• switch the strawberries for blueberries
• switch, or add, some spinach or beet greens which are extremely healthy
• change the cashews for almonds

… you get the idea.

Please turn to the Next Page (click button below) for the VIDEO recipe …

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VIDEO Recipe: Pink Coconut Green Smoothie

The video shows Robyn making this smoothie and explaining a little more as she goes. She uses the water from a fresh coconut, telling how to get into the nut.

Source: GreenSmoothieGirl

Photo: DrinkMeHealthy