Fresh cherries with baby chard green smoothie

Grab this refreshing green smoothie any time you're thirsty and hungry simultaneously! A combination of fresh cherries and baby chard, this smoothie is high in nutrients that will boost your energy on a hot summer day!

It has started being very hot in my region, which makes me feel tired, especially after my morning walk! I like drinking refreshing homemade smoothies instead of eating anything solid in times like this. 

This green smoothie is perfect as an after-workout meal; it balances carbohydrates from banana, protein from chia, and water, while it's high in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that will help your body repair and grow. It's also an ideal smoothie when you're sick.

To make this smoothie, I like using fresh cherries in season; unfortunately, they don't last long, so I use frozen cherries during the rest part of the year.

The advantage of using fresh cherries is that they have all their nutrients, and their taste is incomparable to their frozen counterparts.

Baby chard

I bet you'd not dare to add Swiss chard to your smoothie! I've tried a couple of times, but their bitter taste makes me prefer them cooked!

On the other hand, baby chards are tender, delicate young leaves of Swiss chard. 

The leaves are sweeter, with a flavor comparable to that of spinach.

Since baby chards are immature, they have yet to develop the bitterness that Swiss chard are known for, making them edible while raw. They're versatile and can be used as spinach in making smoothies, salads, quiches, etc.

As for all young produce, baby chards are high in nutrients that are supposed to help the plant grow to maturity. They're high in vitamins A, C, E, and K, while they're a good source of magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and manganese.

Ingredients needed for this smoothie

• Chia; For healthy fats like omega-3. They're also excellent in increasing bowel movements.
• Cucumber; Is high in water and contains potassium and magnesium that help control the body's PH.
• Ginger; It adds a spicy flavor while offering gastrointestinal pain relief.
• Fresh cherries; Are rich in vitamin C and polyphenols which are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Cherries, especially the tart, contain melatonin and tryptophan, both of which enhance sleep.
• Baby chard; They're an excellent substitute for spinach in smoothies. They're remarkably tender, and you can hardly feel their taste.
• Ripe banana; To add some sweetness and creaminess. I don't like frozen bananas but feel free to add some for more freshness.
• Yogurt; For probiotics. The yogurt MUST be plain with mention of the presence of micro-organisms.
• Lemon; Adds some vitamin C and balances the flavors.
• Cold water; Filtered whenever possible. 

Tips to make this green smoothie

1. For a fresh smoothie without frozen fruits, consider storing the ingredients, apart from the chia seeds, in your fridge for about 6 hours or overnight.
2. If using fresh cherries, remove the pits in advance by cutting the flesh off the pits. You can also use a cherry pitter. 
3. Get a small cucumber that you can use at once.
4. If not using an ultra-powerful blender, blend the chia seed alone for a few seconds.
5. For a light, runny smoothie, use more water. Otherwise, use frozen fruits with just enough water to blend for a rich, creamy smoothie.

Make healthy choices because you've got the power to heal yourself. Githu.

Try these healthy smoothies.

• Hemp seeds smoothie
• Beet with blueberry weight loss smoothie
• Detox carrot & turmeric smoothie

Recipe

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Green smoothie with fresh cherries

Grab this refreshing green smoothie any time you're thirsty and hungry simultaneously! A combination of fresh cherries and baby chard, this smoothie is high in nutrients that will boost your energy on a hot summer day!

Prep Time8 minutes mins

Total Time8 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American, anti-inflammatory, European, French, Mediterranean

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword: chards recipes, cherry recipes, cherry smoothie, cucumber smoothie, fresh cherry recipes, green smoothie

Servings: 2 servings

Calories:

Author: Githu

Cost: $5

Equipment

• kitchen knife
• cherry pitter optional
• Chopping board
• High speed blender

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon chia seeds
• a small piece of fresh ginger
• a small cucumber, about a cup
• 1 cup fresh pitted cherries or frozen
• ½ banana
• a handful of fresh baby chard
• 100 grams plain yogurt
• ½ lemon squeezed
• 1½ cups cooled fresh water

Instructions

• Clean the Swiss chard and the cherries
• Prepare the cherries by removing the pits
• Dice ginger into small pieces
• Dice the cucumber
• Squeeze the lemon to get the juice.
• Add all the ingredients in a blender, and blend at high speed till smooth
• Serve immediately and enjoy

Notes

• Baby chard can be substituted with baby spinach or kale.
• This smoothie doesn't use frozen fruits. You can use a frozen banana when using fresh cherries. Another alternative is to leave most of the ingredients in your fridge for 2-3 hrs or overnight before making the smoothie.