Tag: smoothies (Page 3 of 4)

Soothing Beetroot and Banana Smoothie

October 3, 2014 / Dragonfly Home Recipes / 4 Comments

As I was picking basil in our garden yesterday, I noticed that there were some beets we had not pulled up yet. I had been craving something nourishing, so I pulled them and brought them into the house. Since just my daughter and I were home for the evening, I decided to make us a smoothie. It was a rainy evening–perfect for a bright, cheerful, nutrient-rich smoothie. Because I do not have a vitamix or the equivalent, I needed to soften the beets before I blended them, so I simmered them on the stove (washed but unpeeled) for about 15 minutes. When the beets were fork-tender, I was able to easily peel them and put them in the blender with a banana, some yogurt, and a splash of cranberry juice. (The amounts of the ingredients are included in the recipe posted below.) This smoothie was just what we needed: creamy, soothing, and nutritious. Beets are well-known for their abundance of vitamin C, folate (a form of vitamin B), and minerals such as manganese, potassium, and magnesium. And anything that is naturally such a beautiful, bright color has to be good for your body and your soul. If you have some beets and are wondering what to do with them, this smoothie is a delicious option.

Recipe for Soothing Beetroot and Banana Smoothie

October 3, 2014 / Dragonfly Home Recipes / 2 Comments

Soothing Beetroot and Banana Smoothie

Servings: 1-2
Time: approximately 20 minutes
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Ingredients:

3 small or 1 medium/large beet (about 1/2 cup to 1 cup)
1 large banana
1 cup yogurt (if you use unsweetened yogurt, you might want to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey)
1 cup of cranberry juice
ice cubes (optional)

Directions: Wash the beets. Trim roots and all but 1 inch of the stems. Place in boiling water, reduce heat to simmer, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the beets are fork-tender. You may need to simmer them a few minutes longer if they are large or especially tough. After beets are tender, rinse in cold water, rubbing off the skin as you rinse. Place cooked, peeled beets, banana, yogurt, and cranberry juice in a blender and puree until smooth. You can add a couple of ice cubes if you like your smoothies really cold. Serve in glasses and enjoy!

Sweet Peach and Kale Smoothie

August 2, 2014 / Dragonfly Home Recipes / 4 Comments

August and sun-ripened peaches go hand in hand. Now available at lots of farmers markets and stands along the road, fresh peaches are one of summer’s best luxuries. There are countless ways to use peaches, but for this post I am focusing on a smoothie, with the recipe posted below. Sweet, juicy peaches go great in smoothies, especially when mixed with creamy bananas and rich Greek yogurt. Of course I am always trying to add the nutritional powerhouse kale to our diet, so I put a handful of kale in there too. Plus, it is growing like crazy in our garden, and we need to use it as much as we can! It really does not take away from the sweetness of this smoothie, and if anything, it adds a freshness to it. Peaches, besides tasting delicious, have lots of vitamins C and A, plus antioxidants. I also add some ground flax seeds, and these little seeds contain high levels of omega -3 fatty acids (one of the “good” fats). This smoothie tastes like summer, and it has lots of good nutrition as well. I definitely want to enjoy fresh peaches while they last!