Golden Mango Smoothie

Sunshine in A Smoothie

Luckily for those of us in Chicago, Spring feels like it’s just around the corner.  Even if we have a few days (weeks) of cold and snow ahead of us, we keep getting peaks into warmer weather and I know mentally we’re all prepared!  In the meantime, I’m planning on sipping on this smoothie.  It’s actual sunshine in a drink!

Making and enjoying smoothies is a new venture for me.  Growing up, I’ve always had a sensitivity to bananas, which is essentially in every commercially available smoothie ever.  I figured I was out of luck and would never get to partake in the joys of smoothies.  A few years ago, I became determined to find or create smoothie recipes I could enjoy.  Over time, I’ve found a few that I absolutely love, this being one of my favorites!

This golden mango smoothie has it all.  It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and packed full of health benefits I’m typically looking for, like immunity boosters, anti-inflammatory ingredients, antioxidants, digestion help, and healthy fats. It’s become a frequent go-to for me to kickstart my work week on a Monday morning or a great weekend treat between meals. The addition of the spices, turmeric and ginger, give this smoothie a different profile than you typically see.  The spices give so much depth to an otherwise sweet beverage.

Golden Mango Coconut Smoothie Tips and Tricks

My first tip when making this smoothie is to use locally made honey.  It not only will benefit a local company who is encouraging the bee population in your area, there are health benefits of having local honey.  By ingesting honey made with local pollen, your system will become more familiar with the plantlife in your area and help to reduce reactions to allergies.  I know myself and members of my family have seen a huge difference in our allergies when we use locally made honey!

My second tip for this smoothie is to use coconut milk from a box or carton, rather than from a can. The coconut milk from a can is great for soups or curries, but the coconut milk from the box will be less likely to have the solids settle on the top and will be more liquid, making it easier to pour into your blender!  It’s also easier to reseal and use more coconut milk for future smoothies!

Lastly, I like to top this mango ginger turmeric smoothie with a few blueberries for an extra tart pop. Of course, the blueberries themselves don't fit through the straw, (unless you have a few boba straws at home). Instead, I serve this smoothie with a spoon on the side and eat it like a smoothie / smoothie bowl combo. A sip here, a spoonful there. It's a fun way to enjoy your morning beverage!

Recipe Details

Everything in this smoothie will have you feeling great. Not only will the taste lift your spirits, the combination of ingredients are great for you too!  Starting with the spices: ginger and turmeric. The warmth of the ginger and turmeric balance the sweetness of the smoothie and have the added benefit of being anti-inflammatory.  For myself personally, adding in turmeric to my morning smoothie has me feeling healthier and with frequent use my skin looks better and some chronic pain I deal with subsides.  While I’m not an expert, I truly believe in the power of turmeric!

Next, the benefits of the fruit are next level!  Blueberries are a superfood, packed with antioxidants. I love adding blueberries into my diet, knowing they’ll help my long-term health! Pair that with vitamin C and vitamin A punch of the mango and you’re setting yourself up for success!

Lastly, I’d be remiss to add my love of chia seeds.  I love sprinkling them over my smoothies to get an extra boost of protein and fiber, which these little seeds are packed with!

Making this smoothie couldn’t be easier.  Take all of your ingredients, the frozen mango, turmeric, ginger, lemon juice, coconut milk, and honey, and add them to your blender.  Pulse the ingredients in your blender until smooth, adding more liquid if needed to get the consistency your prefer! Pour the smoothie into your favorite glass, top with extra coconut milk and garnish with fresh blueberries, chia seeds, and mango slices.  Add a straw, but keep a spoon close by to scoop out those blueberries if needed, and enjoy! I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!