I’m finally back…congestion and fatigue had me down for several days. It was one of those things I saw coming. I’m in class and kiddos are sneezing and coughing all over the place. Used tissues are left on the desks, fallen on the floor…germies are everywhere. It hit me on Saturday. I took a super long nap and knew I must be getting sick. I really dislike being sick. Not only do I not feel well, I’m constantly thinking of all the things I should be doing rather than lying down. It just drives me crazy! The biggest bummer was what could have been an awesome long weekend, was spent inside.
On top of feeling yucky, my super awesome blender broke. I love my smoothies and a week without a blender, I felt like I was having smoothie withdrawal!
Thankfully, I’m up and running again and am celebrating with a delicious Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie!
Smoothies are great for a quick breakfast, post-workout, and for anytime you are on-the-go. Best of all the combinations are endless and you can make them super nutritious!
I’m obsessed with blueberries. I almost always have them in my refrigerator. I love to snack on them, mix them into yogurt, oatmeal, and use them in smoothies. Blueberries have amazing antioxidants that may prevent loss of memory and age-related changes to your brain function. Blueberries are a berry that contain some of the highest levels of antioxidants. This means that they are excellent for protecting cells from harmful free radicals.
I get asked quite often about free radicals. What are they?
Free radicals are a natural, inevitable part of living. They are also known to cause damage to our body’s cells.
The easiest way I can explain what they are and what they do is to compare young baby skin to an older adult. A baby has soft smooth healthy skin and as we grow older free radicals effect our cells causing signs of aging. So, in an older adult their skin may not be as smooth, and it will have wrinkles and lines. Wrinkles and lines are the effects of free radicals on our skin cells. You might also notice that smokers tend to have more lines and wrinkles, this too is due to free radicals. Those are outward signs of free radical damage and the same damage occurs inside our bodies. The damage a free radical causes inside the bodies can be more serious than a wrinkle, they can lead to cancer.
So, it is always best to reduce your exposure to free radicals and consume antioxidants to help combat their effects.
This Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie is loaded with great nutrients and flavor. Greek yogurt adds protein and milled flax provides fiber to this delicious smoothie. The pineapple adds a delicious dimension of flavor! It reminds me of lying on a beach, instead of being stuck inside feeling yucky.
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- 1 cup ice
- 1 cup fresh blueberries, picked and rinsed
- ½ cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 small banana
- 4 oz 0% plain greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp milled flax
- 1 cup water
- Combine ingredients into blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.
[…] Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie Pick Fresh Foods […]