Blend up a glassful of goodness with this berry beet smoothie. Frozen blueberries, frozen raspberries, a steamed beet, Medjool dates, and yogurt all whirl together to make a smoothie that is full of deep, rich flavor and sustenance. The vibrant pink color reflects the concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other beneficial nutrients that make up this wonderful, refreshing smoothie.

There are times when I simply crave the earthy essence of steamed or roasted beets. That could be because beets are full of minerals that I am lacking, or maybe it is just because I like the flavor and gorgeous pink color. For this smoothie, I steamed the beets, as a cooked beet is much easier to blend than a raw beet. And though the smoothie only calls for one beet, I steam several at a time and store the others in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future smoothies or to slice into salads. Once you have the beets steamed and cooled, it takes almost no time at all to whip up the smoothie and the subsequent smoothies.

For the berries, I found that using frozen blueberries and raspberries works best for this smoothie, as the frozen fruit instantly chills the drink to a refreshing temperature. (And I probably don’t need to remind anyone about the importance of thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before using them, whether they are raw or frozen, but this is a reminder anyway, just to be safe!)

Dates are natural sweeteners. Full of fiber, potassium, and magnesium, they offer a beneficial and delicious alternative to refined sugar. The dates also add a caramel-like thickness to the smoothie, helping to balance the earthiness of the beet. I use pitted Medjool dates for this.

If you are one of those people who have an aversion to beets but want to give this smoothie a try, just add more berries in proportion to the beet, or use a smaller beet. I personally love the deep, rich flavor of the smoothie. I was feeling a bit lackluster last week due to the heat wave and this soothing smoothie really helped infuse my body with satisfying energy. Scroll down to see the recipe!

Mini recipe for cultivating a grateful heart and starting the day on a positive note: get up a few minutes earlier than you have to and carve out a bit of time to go outside or on the porch. Listen to the birds. The day might not go as planned but a pocket of calm in the morning serves as a lovely anchor.

Berry Beet Smoothie

  • Servings: 2 smoothies
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Ingredients:

3/4 cup of frozen raspberries, washed

3/4 cup of frozen blueberries, washed

1 medium sized beet, washed, cooked and peeled

1 cup of plain, whole milk yogurt

4 Medjool pitted dates

Directions:

While you only need one beet per two smoothies, it makes sense to steam several at once and store the remainder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, to use in future smoothies or sliced in salads.

To steam the beet(s): Thoroughly wash the beets and then cut them, unpeeled, into quarters. Place them in a steamer basket in a medium sized or small pot and fill the pot with just enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer basket. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for approximately 25 minutes, or until the beets are fork-tender.

Once the beets are just tender, remove them from the pot and allow them to cool on a cutting board. (Keep in mind the pigment in the beets is very pink so if the cutting board is prone to staining, you might want to use a different one. Same with your clothes!) Once the beets are cool, gently peel them. Choose 4 quarters (1 beet) for your smoothie and refrigerate the remainder in an airtight container. If you use these for future smoothies, it will go much more quickly with them already cooked.

Place all the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. There may still be some tiny pieces of fruit present, but it should be mainly smooth. If the texture is too thick, add a bit of cold water or blend in an ice cube or two, until it reaches the desired consistency. (I personally like a thick smoothie.) Serve cold and enjoy!