Рецепт Plum & Banana Smoothies
Even though we’re weeks past the indulgent holiday season, I’m struggling with trying to get my kids to eat healthfully. Just recently I logged on to my son’s lunch account and discovered that lunchtime trips to the salad bar had been replaced by pudding, cookies, and ice cream. So much for wanting to eat healthy for wrestling team this year! I also found out that my daughter’s been buying up candy at the tennis club before games!
So I’m stocking up on healthy foods that they both can take to school and to sports practice. In addition, I want to encourage the whole family to start the day right with a healthy breakfast. Since they’re scrambling to make the bus, one of the easiest ways to get out of the house quickly is with a healthy smoothie. Usually, we make them with frozen fruit, but we don’t have time to fuss with a stuck blender. After a little brainstorming, I created a smoothie recipe made with Sunsweet® PlumSmart® Light.
Preparing the Plum & Banana Smoothies
It did take a little preplanning however. So I didn’t have to thicken the smoothies with yogurt or (ick!) ice cream, I poured the Plum Smart into a couple of ice cube trays. Then I popped out the frozen juice cubes and stored them in ziplock baggies for smoothies. Unlike frozen fruit, the juice cubes quickly break up in your blender in no time. The extra benefit is that the frozen PlumSmart® Light juice thickens up your smoothies without adding too many extra calories, too.
I used coconut milk because it’s thick and creamy and I’m dairy free. Feel free to use regular cow’s milk or your favorite alternative milk. I also used sunflower butter since we’re a nut-free family, but you can use your favorite nut butter instead. Finally, you can add protein powder or flax or chia seeds for an extra nutritional boost if you wish.
Eating healthy is easy with Sunsweet!
Sunsweet® prunes and juices can help you stick with your healthy eating resolutions all year long!
PlumSmart® Light is made from a special variety of fresh, juicy plums and other fruit juices. It’s delicious, so it’s hard to believe that it only has 60 calories and 15g of carbs per 8 ounce serving. In addition, PlumSmart® Light is a good source of fiber.
Amaz!n™ Prunes are naturally a good source of fiber and since they have a low glycemic index, they keep you feeling fuller longer. I love their sweetness and feel they’re as tasty and satisfying as any candy! You can use prunes in baking and stews, too.
Amaz!n™ Diced Prunes are perfect for snacking as they contain only 100 calories per 40g serving. They’re great for sprinkling on oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, salads, and even on top of Plum & Banana Smoothies!
Prunes are a nutritional powerhouse
Bone Health: Prunes may promote healthy bones because of the nutrients they contain, such as vitamin K, potassium, copper and boron. Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi of Florida State University says, "Dried plums (prunes) are the most bone-friendly fruit that I have seen in decades. They are nature's solution to maintaining good bone health." Dr. Arjmandi hypothesizes that the many compounds and nutrients contained in pruneslikely work synergistically to have this positive effect. Additional research is currently being conducted to learn more about prunes and bone health.
Potassium: Potassium may help prevent hypertension and stroke and play a role in helping support cell energy by regulating fluid balance, nerve impulses and muscle contraction to increase energy.
Fiber: A diet containing foods with fiber contributes to heart health. Fiber also helps maintain a consistent digestive tract, which helps lead to improved digestive health.
Ingredients
6 ice cubes made from Sunsweet® PlumSmart® Light
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1 tablespoon sunflower butter
- 2 teaspoons Sunsweet® Amaz!n™ Diced Prunes, dived
Directions
Make juice cubes at least 24 hours in advance by pouring juice into ice cube trays and freezing. Remove cubes from trays and store in a ziplock baggie in freezer.
Place frozen PlumSmart® Light cubes, coconut milk, banana, and sunflower butter in a blender. Blend on high until the ice cubes are pulverized and the smoothie is frothy.
Pour smoothie into 2 glasses. Sprinkle diced prunes on top of smoothies and serve immediately.
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 10 Minutes
Servings: Serves 2
Serving size: Makes 2 smoothies – 1 cup each
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.