As I have said in previous posts, I make smoothies just about every day. I never follow a recipe. I try to keep plenty of frozen fruit in my freezer, as I have discovered that it is cheaper to buy frozen fruit than to buy fresh fruit, at least in the winter. I intend to buy fresh local fruit as soon as it is available this spring. But for now, all the fresh fruit comes from somewhere far away, so it might as well be frozen. Since we make smoothies so frequently in my household, I can take several bags of fruit out of the freezer and defrost them in the refrigerator, which makes them easier to blend. It is always nice to have at least a few pieces of fruit still frozen, though, to make the drink ice cold and thick. Kind of like a slushee, but better for you. I like to include mango in the smoothie whenever possible, as I think smoothies with some mango taste better than those without. I also like a few strawberries, but not too many. Too many strawberries overpowers, in my opinion. This morning’s version had an especially nice balance of flavors:
1 cup mango
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup pineapple
4 large strawberries
1 1/2 cup orange juice
2 TBS chia seeds
Blend in a blender until smooth. Pulse several times to help blend it all. Makes about 3 servings.
The chia seeds do not add any flavor, but they add another dimension of nutrition to the drink. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber. They also provide manganese, phosphorous, calcium, potassium and sodium. They will help you stay healthy!