antioxidants – Pretty Little Pastimes

If you are lucky enough to pass by fresh pitaya at your local grocery store or market, stop immediately! Grab one of those vibrant beauties and put it in your basket! This superfruit is not only packed with antioxidants, it also carries a slew of vitamins and minerals. And don’t let the color or prickly skin fool you, the taste is actually quite mild (think kiwi) and is perfect to add to your favorite smoothie/breakfast bowl recipes.

When shopping for pitaya, commonly referred to as dragon fruit, choose a fruit that is vibrant and gives slightly to pressure. It can be a little tricky to find, but is usually kept in the exotic fruit section in the produce department. Similar to acai, food markets are now selling frozen packs as well. Keep an eye out!

Pitaya Superfruit Smoothie

1 ripe pitaya
1 small ripe banana
1/2 cup mango
4 ounces pineapple juice
4 ounces coconut milk
drizzle of natural honey (optional)

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender (liquids first) and blend until smooth. Yep, that’s it! Transfer to your favorite glass or tumbler and serve immediately.

*If you prefer a thinner smoothie, simply add additional pineapple juice. If you like it thicker, add another handful of fruit.

There is nothing like feeling energized and refreshed after nourishing your body with something healthy AND tasty. Whether you add it into your breakfast routine or use it to recharge after a long workout, this pitaya smoothie is a must try. Enjoy!

Just when I thought I was out of the woods, after a long fight with seasonal allergies, a new bug got ahold of me this week. Everyone around me seemed to be catching the virus, so I new it was a matter of time before the scratchy throat and stuffy nose found its way to me. When I am sick, I tend to be very stubborn. I usually refuse any cold medicine and just try to let me body fight the sickness on its own. I find that when I pay closer attention to how my body feels in its natural state, then I can better judge when fevers are coming/breaking, when I am hungry and when I need more rest.

Since I did not have a lot of energy, I whizzed up this simple Immunity Boost Smoothie to give my system a little kick in the right direction. This smoothie is a combination of fresh raspberries (you can also use frozen), yogurt, bananas and orange juice. The Vitamin C, antioxidants and flavonoids found in the ingredients will help boost your immune system … plus it’s delicious!

Immunity Boost Smoothie

1 cup vanilla yogurt – or vanilla soy milk
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup orange juice
handful of ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in blender. Cover and blend until smooth.

This cold drink was just what I needed to get me through the rest of my day. When I find myself ill during the winter months, nothing sounds better than warm soup, but during the summertime I always turn to something cold. Try this smoothie next time you are looking for a quick boost or a tasty treat. Cheers to good health!