Pineapple Kefir Smoothie
This cool sweet/tart green smoothie got me going many Madrid summer mornings last year. I loved it so much that I wrote up the recipe and shot the photos. But in the end, I was reluctant to share it with you because I assumed most people did not like kefir.
Since last summer, it seems all you kefir-lovers have come out of the woodwork and proved me wrong! I've had multiple conversations with health coaching clients and friends only to learn how many of you enjoy kefir, or at the very least, are curious about it. This smoothie makes the most of tangy kefir by balancing it with the sweet and uniquely tropical, fruity flavor of pineapple. I add spinach and flax seeds for some greens and fiber. Peanut butter and hemp seeds give it richness and staying power. The spinach alone will turn this smoothie green. But the emerald green color you see here comes from the (very optional) addition of spirulina, the blue-green algae that is arguably the most nutrient-dense food out there. It contains 60% protein by weight and is a rich source of iron, Vitamins A and B12, and phytonutrients, among other things.
Earlier this month, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area only to learn summer here is not really summer, but rather a cool, windy, and foggy interlude. We've lucked out with many beautiful days so far, but this smoothie will have to wait to be made in my new kitchen until, one, my blender crosses the ocean (along with the rest of our house), and two, the Indian summer shows up in September!
In the meantime, make this smoothie for yourself, pour an extra glass for me, and enjoy the benefits of its happy flavor, numerous gut-friendly properties, and energizing post-sipping effects.
Pineapple Kefir Smoothie
Serves 1
Notes: Recipe calls for goat's milk kefir. It's tangier than cow's, which yields a better flavor result in the end when paired with pineapple. Use coconut milk kefir if you're vegan, dairy-free for other reasons, or you know your digestion does best when eating fruit separate from dairy. Some kefir brands have a stronger flavor (and effect on your gut) than others. Know your kefir -- if it's really strong, use half the amount and top it up with plant milk.
- 1 cup (250 ml) unsweetened goat's milk kefir
- Handful of spinach
- 1 Tbsp. flax seeds
- 1/2 large frozen banana
- 1/3 cup (85gr.) chopped pineapple (or 1 cup/130 gr. without banana)
- 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp hemp seeds
- 1/2-1 tsp. spirulina
- Add everything to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
- Enjoy immediately!