Raspberry Smoothie

When the rain and snow gave way to a gentle spring sunshine this week, my heart leapt with joy. Especially when I noticed that those sunbeams were actually giving off some warmth. For me, that was reason enough to enthusiastically head into the kitchen and whip up a fresh, sunny, and colorful breakfast. It’s truly a delicious way to start your day, and the pink hue instantly gives you that spring feeling we’ve been looking forward to all winter.

In fact,^a 2018^study¹ showed that only 12.7% of Belgians aged 6 and older eat enough fruits and vegetables. The recommended amount, according to the Superior Health Council, is at least 250 g of fruit and 300 g of vegetables per^day.² To reach that amount, most people will therefore need to eat more fruits and vegetables than they do now. But don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be a chore at all! With a little creativity, you can use those extra fruits and vegetables as ultra-healthy flavor enhancers that only make your dishes better. This breakfast is a great example of that.

Cheers! Here's to your health and to the sun 😊

1. Eating Habits. (February 17, 2022). Toward a Healthy Belgium. Retrieved March 11, 2023, fromhttps://www.gezondbelgie.be/nl/gezondheidstoestand/determinanten-van-gezondheid/voedingsgewoonten#references
2. Recommendations from the High Council for Public Health with a Focus on Food | Healthy Living. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2023, fromhttps://www.gezondleven.be/themas/voeding/voedingsdriehoek/aanbevelingen-hgr

Ingredients: (serves 2)

• 180 g (frozen) raspberries 
• 100 ml almond milk
• 1 ripe banana
• 2 tsp shredded coconut
• 4 tsp granola
• add a little extra honey, if desired, to taste

Preparation: (10 minutes)

1. If necessary, thaw the raspberries first. (See the tips for more information.)
2. Put the raspberries, almond milk, and banana in a blender and blend until smooth.
3. If you'd prefer the smoothie to be a little sweeter, you can add some honey.
4. Arrange in bowls and top with the coconut flakes, granola, and a few raspberries. To achieve the look shown in the photo, sprinkle the granola and coconut flakes in two lines along one side of the bowl and place the raspberries on the other side. Then sprinkle a little extra granola over the raspberries.

Enjoy your meal!

Recipe video:

Tip:

If you're using frozen raspberries, it's easiest to thaw them first because, when frozen, they can cause a lot of trouble if your blender isn't powerful enough. Here are the three easiest ways to get started:

• You can defrost it in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• For those who are super organized—the type who sets out the plates for the next day’s breakfast the night before—defrosting in the refrigerator is also an option. In that case, the raspberries should be placed in the refrigerator about three hours in advance so they’re defrosted by the time you need them.
• The method that requires the least work, attention, and planning is defrosting in the microwave. It’s best to follow the instructions provided by the appliance itself. For a 180-gram serving of raspberries, this will likely take about a minute and a half. Be sure to place the raspberries in a microwave-safe container.