I am sure you have read plenty of articles and posts about the many benefits of probiotics by now. Rather than carrying on about their many wonderful benefits and why you should be including them in your daily life, I though it better to just share a delicious Summer Berry Probiotic Smoothie that is sure to make your belly happy.

If you do want to read all about how wonderful probiotics are and all of their many incredible benefits, I encourage you to check out this great post: 3 Tasty Ways to Heal With Priobiotics.  I also encourage you try your hand at making your own probiotic-rich water kefir or my simple homemade coconut milk yogurt – two wonderful ways to easily include more of that beneficial bacteria in your life.

This smoothie is not only rich in probiotics, from the yogurt and probiotic drink, but I also included other super-food ingredients sure to please your tummy! Ginger, which has long been known to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, and provide calming, anti-inflammatory and immunity boosting properties. Cinnamon, another digestive aid, known not just for it’s comforting, warming, aroma, but for it’s powerful anti-bacteria properties, its help with reducing bloating, and its help in improving circulation and digestive discomfort. Finally, I added some chia seeds, which is a great way to include healthy omega-3 fats and of course, one of your digestion’s other friends – fiber. Plus, I really love how thick chia seeds make my smoothies!

Finally I, of course, had to add some beautiful fresh seasonal berries, not only because they are at their best right now, but also for color and taste. Feel free to use whatever fruit you have on hand and that is currently in season near you, preferably fresh, but frozen will work, too. Blueberries are especially wonderful as they act as astringents to the digestive systems and they are also another great source of fiber. Papaya, if you can find it (I couldn’t) would also be great in this smoothie as it contains papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins.

This smoothie is slightly sweet, it has the perfect tang and it is warming, calming and comforting. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

This recipe was originally shared on the Free People Blog BLDG 25

[print_this]Summer Berry Probiotic Smoothie
makes 1 large serving or 2 small

• 1/2 cup lightly sweetened non-dairy milk (I used homemade almond milk)
• 1/2 cup probiotic drink, kefir water, kombucha, etc. (I used KeVita Lemon Ginger Probiotic Drink)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened yogurt (I used homemade coconut milk yogurt)
• 1 cup fresh of frozen berries
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• sweetener to taste, if necessary
• handful of ice, if not using frozen berries

Add all of the ingredients to your high speed blender, blend until smooth and creamy. Add sweetener to taste, if necessary. Serve immediately.
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