Dragon Fruit Smoothie- Tropical Bliss

Who doesn’t love an antioxidant packed smoothie?? I am a huge fan of smoothies and make a few different versions. One of my favorites includes dragonfruit, blueberries, banana, spinach/kale, and some passionfruit. Makes me feel like I’m hanging out in the tropics, which I like and very much need right now. It’s refreshing and supplies fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Win win here.

Here’s the players and why I include them. Let’s start with the liquid.

Almond milk- I use almond milk because I’m lactose intolerant and have known this since I was in elementary school. I will probably never fully give up dairy, but I do limit it in my diet. Almond milk is one way I make sure I'm getting calcium.

Coconut water- this provides electrolytes and a little hydration boost. I don’t always put it in there, but it’s a great addition when I have it on hand.

Dragon fruit- I’ve been using these awesome smoothie packs my sister from another mister introduced me to. They are pre-portioned servings of dragon fruit. This is awesome because if you’ve ever cut up your own dragon fruit, you know it’s a mess. Just plop this bad boy in and you’re good to go. No additives, just dragon fruit. It’s high in antioxidants, has plant compounds like carotenoids, polyphenols, and betacyanins, Vitamin C, fiber, and prebiotics. Prebiotics help feed your healthy bacteria in your gut, very important. I’m clearly loading up on Vitamin C these days. Also, a huge fan of fiber for digestion. Added bonus- the betacyanin is what gives red dragon fruit it’s color. Although it's classified as red, it typically comes out looking pink, so if you’re like me I LOOOVE a good pink drink. Dragon fruit has a subtle flavor and tends to take on the flavor of anything it's mixed with, from my experience.

Wild blueberries- More antioxidants! Wild blueberries are said to be higher in antioxidants than the standard blueberry. Blueberries in general are lower in sugar and high in fiber and Vitamin C. What’s not to love about these antioxidant packed berries?! They give a nice flavor to the smoothie also.

Passionfruit- So I use these frozen chunks for a couple reasons. One I don’t have something like a vitamix for a blender- though mine is pretty good. If you have a vitamix pop the passion fruit seeds in and blend away- you won’t even notice any chunks. Putting passion fruit seeds in my blender, I’ve gotten some good chunks. These frozen ones are also easy to grab, though don’t include the seed in them. It adds a nice tropical flavor to this smoothie. Can you guess what passion fruit has- antioxidants! I’d say there’s a theme here. It has Vitamin A and Vitamin C which help skin and boost immunity.

Banana- I like to put some banana in for flavor and to add a little carb in there. It adds to the tropical flavor. You can use frozen or fresh. Bananas have potassium, Vitamin B6, and some magnesium.

Spinach or Kale- You can’t really go wrong with either one here. Some days I use one or the other and other days I use both in the same smoothie. Get some greens in there and not just any greens- ones with fiber and Vitamin C

If you can’t tell I like fiber. For me this isn’t too much. I’ve had digestion issues in the past. Also Vitamin C is big for me, even before these quarantine times. Antioxidants are important in my diet because I want to eliminate free radicals. I’ve had melanoma already soooo anything that might eliminate damage I’m on board with! Basically loading up my body with good stuff, so I can Sparkle Up Buttercup!!

Here’s how to put it all together:

4 oz almond milk (feel free to do a little more or less depending on what you like)

2 oz coconut water (more or less if you’re going to use at all- some days I do while others I don’t)

3.5 oz (1 pack) of dragon fruit

½- 1 cup of wild blueberries

½ a banana

A few chunks of frozen passion fruit- or just one fresh passion fruit

A few handfuls of spinach or kale (or you can do some of each)

Pop it all in the blender and voila! Perfect tropical antioxidant packed smoothie is ready to go. This has so many variations that work so well so feel free to even mix it up like I do. I pack this in a mason jar and drink it later when I'm working. It travels well, easy, and full of nutrients.