So many people ask me how I make my smoothies and they are quite easy. I consistently use coconut water from a fresh young coconut for electrolytes, one apple cored for fiber, a banana for more potassium, 5 dates for sweetness and appetite suppression, a ginger slice or puree for the anti-inflammatory properties, a handful of fresh kale for the greens, 1/4 cup of honey for allergies, and then change it up with different berries. Cherries are one of my favorite fruits to add since they are incredibly good for you and they hide the kale green coloring.

Instead of adding ice, I freeze my cherries and other berries. My pineapple chunks, raspberries and cherries were all frozen for this smoothie. I buy fresh fruit and then freeze them so they last longer. Plus, it saves a lot of time in the morning when the fruit is cut and ready to throw into the blender.

Directions

1) Cut open a coconut and pour the water in your blender.

2) Add one apple cored, one banana, several chunks of pineapple (1/2 cup), handful of kale, slice of ginger, 1/4 cup of local honey, spoonful of chia seeds, handful of cherries, handful of red grapes, handful of raspberries and 5 dates. Add 2 or 3 mint leaves if you have some. Blend until smooth. Garnish with a cherry and mint leaf.

Note: Kids love this too. As you can see from the cover picture, my son drinks his smoothies out of his Born Free bottles with straws or sippy cup lids. The cherries will stain so I recommend using a lid with little ones. Enjoy!

Why you want to drink this!

• Coconut water replenishes all your electrolytes, plumps your skin to look younger, and hydrates your body.
• Cherries are rich in potassium, anthocyanins, quercetin, and Vitamin C. Tart cherries contain melatonin and this hormone acts as a sleep aid and is easily absorbed in the body. Cherries may work as well as melatonin supplements if you drink a glass in the morning and evening. These berries also regulate blood pressure due to the potassium and quercetin antioxidant. Cherries are known to reduce gout and inflammation in the body. Studies have shown eating tart cherries for 7 days before a race can reduce muscle soreness. The anthocyanins which make the cherries a deep red color may fight and prevent cancer so enjoy the sweet juicy ones. And if you are looking to trim your waistline, eat the tart cherries because the anthocyanins may increase your metabolism and decrease fat storage.
• Pineapples are rich in Vitamin C, manganese, fiber, folic acid, and Vitamin B6, B1 and copper. Bromelain in the core of the fruit fights inflammation and improves digestion. Pineapples can give you that energy boost due to the manganese and B1 vitamin.
• Dates suppress your appetite, may help your hangovers and are packed with vitamins and minerals. Plus, they are delicious.
• Ginger helps with nausea and is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
• Mint is low in calories and very high in minerals and manganese, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and potassium. It improves digestion, stomach aches, headaches and can relieve tension and asthma. Peppermint helps open your air ways to breathe easier. People love the smell of fresh mint. It has a calming effect.