Love smoothies? Then you’ll love this recipe for my mixed berry smoothie with Almond milk. Smoothies made of berries are great to help boost your immune system as they are rich in vitamin C and healthy antioxidants. For my berry smoothie I use fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries and a frozen banana to give the smoothie a creamy taste. I also use vanilla almond milk for protein and vitamin D.

I usually get on my smoothie routine after the holidays, vacation, or when trying to shed a few pounds. I’ll swap out lunch or breakfast for a smoothie. They keep me full, help me get needed nutrients, and are generally just great for breakfast or lunch on the go.

Why berry smoothies are healthy for you:

• Strawberries are full of fiber and are low in calories– one cup contains only 43 calories.
• Blueberries are high in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and considered a superfood you should add to a healthy diet.
• Cinnamon is a great anti-inflammatory and source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.
• Flaxseed is a rich source of dietary fiber to help keep you feeling full, manganese, vitamin B1, and Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Flaxseed is also known to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Bananas are high in fiber and potassium. Bananas also help stabilize blood sugar between meals and are known to lower blood pressure.

RECIPE: MIXED BERRY SMOOTHIE

• 1 cup of vanilla almond or coconut milk
• 1/2 cup of mixed berries, fresh or frozen
• 4-5 strawberries, fresh or froze
• 1 banana (comes out creamier if you peel then freeze a fresh banana)
• teaspoon of cinnamon
• 2-3 ice cubes ONLY IF you’re not using frozen fruit
• 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed (optional)

Directions

• Add almond milk, banana, and remaining ingredients.
• Blend for 20 to 30 seconds. Using a Ninja, pulse then blend all ingredients together until smooth, add a dash of cinnamon on top and enjoy!