A healthy smoothie made with blueberries, pineapple, banana, yogurt. almond milk and your fave protein powder. Nutrient-rich, refreshing and filled with delicious fruity flavors. With its beautiful color and slight sweetness from the fruit, it is the perfect way to start the day.
This shockingly simple smoothie is my current post-workout obsession. Couch + feet up + this smoothie + a spoonful of peanut butter (which turns into three spoonfuls of peanut butter) is how I unwind from a gym workout these days.
This super healthy and pretty to look at smoothie is like sunshine in a glass, made with 7 ingredients in 5 minutes and makes a perfect breakfast, lunch, dessert or snack!
Its the creamiest of creamy and that is because of the frozen banana. Seriously, if you want a creamy smoothie that is thick enough to eat with a spoon, then frozen banana is your answer.
I have to be honest. Most of the smoothies happening in my kitchen over the past few years are all green. (Or if berries are involved, a not-so-appetizing color of brown.) I’ve just gotten in the habit of blending up whatever fresh ingredients are on hand and then tossing in a handful of spinach or kale, since it’s such an easy way to eat my greens.
But I’m kinda of obsessed with pretty colors. And as much as I may love green smoothies, every now and then I wake up just wanting to eat something that’s bright and cheery and sunshiny and, well, not green.
And this is where this very purple (also very good for you) Blueberry Swirl Smoothie enters the picture.
Typically smoothie recipes call for ice to thicken the texture, but I find ice waters it down. The frozen banana gets the job done without giving the smoothie a slushy texture. I love using them in my smoothies.
Frozen banana turns any smoothie into a delicious tasting almost “soft serve” creaminess when blended with vanilla extract and a splash of milk. Creamy, cool, citrusy, lip-smackin’ protein-packed sweetness. Sometimes too I add a little orange zest to up the ante. That’s optional! And for an added nutritious punch, try adding a handful of greens like kale or spinach to the smoothie. I promise you will not taste it.
I never thought about adding vegetables to smoothies until I tasted a lunchtime smoothie my sister made that included spinach, pear and walnuts. These are ingredients I like in a salad, and they work well together after taking a trip through the blender — especially with fresh ginger added to the mix.
With that, I broadened my horizons and explored fruit and vegetable smoothies. I was thinking the smoothies would make great snacks, but in fact these make satisfying meals.
This particular recipe is packed with vitamins, especially C and A, beta carotene, and antioxidant-rich flavonoids. Pineapple is an excellent source of manganese and contains an enzyme called bromelain that aids digestion.
Get the energy boost you need from this delicious breakfast or treat or if you are looking to satisfy a craving in a healthier way – you need to give this blueberry swirl smoothie recipe a try!
Galaxy Pineapple Blueberry Swirl Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 bananas, sliced, frozen, divided
- 1 1/2 cups almond (or your choice) milk, divided
- 1 cup blueberries, frozen
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, frozen
- 1/2 cup thick Greek-style yogurt
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine frozen blueberries, half of frozen bananas and half of the almond milk in a blender and process until smooth.Transfer to a bowl or measuring cup and set aside.Rinse out blender, then combine remaining frozen bananas, remaining almond milk, frozen pineapple, yogurt, protein powder, vanilla and process until smooth. Layer in two smoothie glasses, alternately adding blueberry and pineapple smoothies to glasses, swirling the sides as you go with a knife or toothpick.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
