My Costa Rica adventure continues and we are having an amazing time! Something I was really looking forward to was all the tropical fruits. Mangos have always been one of my favourite fruits but they can be hard to find and are pretty expensive back home. Ya sure, I always have a bag of frozen ones in my freezer, but it’s not the same as a fresh juicy one that is perfectly ripe! Mango’s are extremely high in vitamin c, are alkalizing, great for energy and skin and help improve digestion.
Travis being my hand model as they were too big for me to hold with one hand.
I’m also embracing papayas. I never really likes papayas before this trip as I thought the smell was off putting. But since they are in season and in abundance here, I’ve been including them into my salads and smoothies and have some around to love them. Papayas are also great for digestion, high in vitamins, good for your immune system and help regulate your hormones (pretty much a super food!).
Pineapples have also always been one of my favourite fruits and I have been using them in my smoothies for gut health for years. SO GOOD for digestion issues and packed with vitamins. The ones here are HUGE and super juicy!
And bananas, oh man so many bananas here:) The bananas down here just seem to taste better even though you pretty much have to buy them the same day that you eat them. Bananas are high in potassium, b12, and other vitamins and minerals, and provide you with a tonne of good energy.
Avocados–technically a fruit, these beautiful gems are hands down one of my favourite foods. It wasn’t until recently that I started adding them to my smoothies. I can believe I waited so long! Honestly adding some healthy fat to a smoothie makes it filling, helps you absorb the nutrients and helps you get your glow on – of course:)
These are the 3 smoothies that are fueling my mornings on the beach here in Costa Rica.
TROPICAL CACAO OVERLOAD
- Papaya
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Banana
- 1 Package of RAW CACAO Pranin Smoothie Booster (sub cacao)
- Coconut water
- ICE
Roughly 1/2 cup of each fruit and lots of ice! Blend until smooth. Talk about delicious! This smoothie could be served as dessert or a smoothie bowl with all the toppings.
PAPAYA BANANA AVOCADO SMOOTHIE
- Papaya – 1 cup
- 1 Banana (frozen is best)
- 1/2 Avocado
- Almond Milk- 1 cup
- Ice
Blend until smooth. This smoothie is serioussssssly energizing, keeps you full and is so creamy thanks to the frozen banana and avocado.
PINEAPPLE MINT GINGER SMOOTHIE
- Pineapple – 2 cups
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves
- Ginger 1tbsp
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 lime juiced
- Coconut water 1 cup
- Ice
Blend until smooth and enjoy:) This one is so light and refreshing and I love the mint and ginger combo. The cucumber makes it cooling and the pineapple sweetens it perfectly.
Having a cold fruit smoothie as a light lunch or snack has been my go-to down here. Some people might say that I am having too much fruit, but I am eating intuitively and these are what my body are craving. They are hydrating, energizing and my digestion has never been better. Plus I have to take advantage on all this incredible local fruit while I can right?!
If you are interested in more plant-based recipes and tips on how to include more fruits and vegetables into your diet, I highly recommend you try out a few months of FIT CLUB, my online health and wellness program that educates you on how to thrive on a plant-based diet, how to workout efficiently from home, and how to cultivate a positive mindset:)