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CHERRY CHEER SMOOTHIE BOWL

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This is a smoothie bowl version of one of the first smoothies I posted on Instagram in early 2017 when Dr. Tara’s Sunshine was in its infancy. And it still puts a smile on my face!

Honestly, folks, this is one to try.  It’s thick and creamy and tastes like CHERRY ALMOND ICE CREAM.  Except it’s dairy and refined sugar-free and packed with veggies (yes, real veggies!), vitamins & minerals, antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats, protein, and pre and probiotics (from chia seeds and kefir, respectively). My chicklets LOVE it and I feel good about giving it to them — even for breakfast!

Why Choose Cherries?

Cherries are little red gems rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants such as anthocyanins.  Research suggests that cherry consumption can help to reduce inflammation as well as the risk of cancer and Alzheimer's.  Cherries are a natural source of melatonin, which helps to promote healthy sleep and induce a sense of calm.

What is Kefir?

Kefir is a fermented drink made from milk (dairy or nondairy, including soy, rice and coconut) or water.  This unique probiotic powerhouse has a yogurt-like taste and lots of immune-boosting and disease-fighting benefits.  It contains bioactive compounds that can improve gut & skin health, and may even help reduce the risk of cancer & allergy symptoms.  One compound found only in kefir, known as kefiran, has been found to fight against candida, a common yeast infection. For more info on probiotics & gut health, see my article “The Gut Microbiome”.

Cherry Cheer Recipe

CHERRY ALMOND SMOOTHIEBOWL.jpg

Ingredients for 2 servings:

  • 1 1/2 cups frozen cherries

  • 1 cup steamed-then-frozen cauliflower

  • 1 cup plain coconut kefir (or substitute other milk-based kefir or plain yogurt)

  • 2 Tbsp Nuzest Clean Lean Smooth Vanilla protein powder

  • 2 Tbsp almond butter

  • 1 to 2 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)

  • 1/4 tsp pure almond extract

  • Lakanto sugar-free monk fruit sweetener, stevia, or sweetener of choice, adjusted to taste (optional)

  • optional toppings: Giddy Yo cacao nibs, coarsely chopped almonds, bee pollen, frozen cherries, or toppings of choice

Directions: Put cherries, cauliflower, protein powder, almond butter, chia seeds, and almond extract into blender container. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides and pushing ingredients into blades with tamper as needed. I use my Vitamix on the “frozen” setting for this. Sweeten to taste.

Serve immediately with toppings as desired.