Dates and Mango Smoothie
Smoothies, our favorite summer drink. It originally was blend of fruits, but with it’s increasing demand and popularity it comes in various flavors and ingredients. From fruits and vegetable to yogurt and ice cream. And it fits perfectly with our today’s busy life style. Where we have less time and more to do list. Healthy, fast, easy to make and of course less pounds to pack around waist and thighs. Every way great.
With recollection of all the smoothies I have gulped down till now I decided to get some help and inspiration in a form of book (Super Smoothies) by Mary Corpening and Sara Corpening Whiteford. As I flipped through the pages I knew instantly we are going to be best friends. It not only had all this wonderful recipes but the information about the ingredients too.
Here is what I found about summer fruits.
Apricots: Are source of beta-carotene antioxidant which is essential for vision, growth, reproduction and immune system.
Blackberries: These little black goodness are good for reducing blood pressure and preventing heart disease. When buying them go for dark color with plump look.
Cantaloupe: This was my favorite part from the book. Just the half of cantaloupe provides you with vitamins C, A and less than 100 calories. When buying this super fruit follow your nose to aroma and go for thick rind.
Cherries: Cherries are my all time favorite. Small round and beautiful color, juicy flesh. I simply love it. Well this makes me love it even more, it is great source of potassium, vitamin B, C and A.
Grapes: Grapes are my lazy fruits. Just wash and start munching. And not too much effort involved. To make it even better this little things are packed with potassium, vitamin C and antioxidants.
Honeydew: Good source of potassium and vitamin C and perfect for sweetening any smoothies.
Litchi Nuts: These are cute little fruits with red skin and white flesh, when I was young I hated them. But now in smoothies they are heavenly. They are also packed with vitamin C and potassium.
Mangoes: For me mangoes are the kings of fruits. The smell, the color I love everything about it. It gives boost to immune system and protects hearts too. I add slice of mango in all my smoothies, the texture and smell is divine.
Nectarines: Excellent source of antioxidant and vitamin C.
Papayas: Papayas were the fruits I hated the most growing up. My dad loved it. He would eat it just sliced or smoothies. He would always say if you want to have good eye sight eat more papayas. I guess that is the reason I am wearing contacts now. No matter how much I hate them, these babies come packed with enzyme that help in digestion and healthy immune system, completed with a dose of vitamin C.
Peaches: If you want healthy heart, good memory and fight cancer look no further. Here is the fruit packed with all those vitamins and minerals. Wether it helps fight cancer or not I love this fruit for its smell and juice.
Plums: This looks like fruit we have been waiting for. It is rich in antioxidants and enzymes and also helps to reduce effect of aging.
Raspberries: Here is a berry filled with potassium, salicylates, vitamin B6 and magnesium which helps to reduce inflammation and boost your energy.
Watermelon: I hardly have words to describe this fruit. Quenching your thirst to providing you with iron and vitamin C. The soft watery flesh makes it the best treat for summer.
After all that reading and typing I needed something to boost up my energy. Then I saw the protein jolt smoothie. I had to give it a go. As the ingredients looked yummy and different. Here is the recipe with minimal adaptation from the book.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup Chilled Almond Milk
- 1/2 cup Plain low-fat Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Frozen Mango
- 1/3 cup Chopped Dates (Hydrate if using dried)
Note: The original recipe uses 1 frozen banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter and 1/2 cup soft silken tofu instead of frozen mango.
Method:
- Combine all the ingredients in RPM blender and blend until smooth.
Now enjoy the ice cold smoothie.
July 12th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Thank you for all the information about fruit…it does such amazing things for our bodies! I loved how you added dates to your smoothies…very original!
July 13th, 2010 at 6:26 am
This post is VERY interesting…Thanks for so much information!
Yes, we love smoothies here….!
July 13th, 2010 at 7:23 am
I loved that you used dates, and no sugar, must be so yummy, and guilt free.
July 13th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Sounds perfectly sweet and refreshing, just what I’ve been craving!
July 13th, 2010 at 7:49 am
It is sweet with the dates and the best part is no worries about calories from sugar. I hope you will enjoy it Hannah and thank you.
July 13th, 2010 at 7:52 am
You are right it was delicious and creamy. The dates makes it almost chocolaty. Best part like you said guilt free. Thank you Anna.
July 13th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Thank you Cristina.
July 13th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Thank you Monet.
July 13th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Dear Chandani – Love your smoothie listing all the frooty goodness and the recipe with dates, almond milk is delish!
I have to rummage around the pantry to see if I have any dates
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
July 13th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
great info, fruit is amazing, we TONS of fruit and juice also, great recipe i love almond milk and dates, great little kick
sweetlife
July 14th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Thank you Bonnie.
July 14th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Thanks Devaki, I hope you enjoyed it.
July 14th, 2010 at 9:42 am
I like the idea of almond milk…not a date fan so will leave out. You have inspired me to make a smoothie!!
July 14th, 2010 at 10:16 am
I am glad I inspired, I wasn’t date fan either but if you blend it really well I am sure you will love it.
July 14th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
So much great information!!! Thanks so much for sharing it!
I just got a blender so I can start making smoothies, what perfect timing of this post!
July 14th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
sorry I didn’t know the pic would be that big….thought it was an avatar…please feel free to delete it!
July 14th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Thank you chef Dennis For visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy the smoothie. Don’t worry about the picture if it is ok with you i published it.
July 19th, 2010 at 5:26 am
Thanks for sharing the info about fruit. I love smoothies and they are perfect for these Summer days
July 19th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Thank you @bunnycook and you are right nothing is better for summer that fruit smoothies.
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Hi there, thanks for the sweet comment on my site
I am a huge fan of dates, but I never thought to add them to my morning smoothie! Thanks for the inspiration!
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Thank you and welcome to my blog Christina. Hope you enjoy the smoothie.