Mango Fruit Smoothie

A delicious way to combat the summertime heat is with a delicious fruit smoothie. This one is made with mango and strawberries. You can even use this recipe to make our Summertime Fruit Pops. Either way you’re sure to be refreshed.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups filtered water
• 2 cups frozen mango chunks
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 6 ice cubes (about 1 cup)

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients, except for the ice, in a Vitamix or other high powered blender. Blend on low speed then high for 40 seconds or until smooth.
2. Add ice and blend 30 seconds or until thick and without any ice chunks. Pour into a tall glass, add a straw, and enjoy!

Variations:

• You may find that the mango and You may find that the mango and strawberries are sweet enough to do without a sweetener, but if you prefer a super sweet smoothie add 1/4 cup agave, or 1/2 teaspoon stevia, or 4 Medjool Dates* to the blend. Though these sweeteners are considered better than the high fructose corn syrup you find in most store-bought frozen pops, they are still sweeteners — to be used in moderation.
• Replace the mango and strawberries with 3 cups of other chopped fruits and berries. Sliced banana, pineapple, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi… there’s so many to choose from!

Yield:
Makes 1 (16oz) servings.

*Medjool dates are naturally sweet, large, and moist, making them an ideal sweetener for smoothies. Just be sure to buy them pitted, or slice open to remove the pits yourself, and prior to blending soak in filtered water for two hours then drain.