Hello Summer Solstice!!! We have been waiting sooooooooo long for the warm days and long nights to return and suddenly yesterday morning we woke up to the first day of summer with the perfect sunny weather and the most daylight of any days of the year if you happen to live in the North of the equator.

My children have been out of school for over a week now and they are having lots of fun rediscovering the joys of being on summer break again with all the free time to sleep in, play in the backyard, read new books, swinging in the hammock, or simply be without agenda. Of course, summer vacation also means multiple meals and snacks are being prepared and consumed throughout the day because somehow kids are constantly hungry, that sounds familiar to you? Well, smoothies are simple and best options when it comes to a quick heathy breakfast or snack in our family. We use any fruits and leafy greens on hands, throw in some plant-protein and healthy fat to help stabilize blood sugar levels while boosting our energy. We usually go for the Green Power Smoothie, but decided to create something new and fabulous with the sweet strawberries to celebrate the first day of the summer, the first full moon in June also known as “strawberry moon” since 1948 and the first day of the week!

Hope you will make this summery smoothie and savor its strawberry goodness with your friends and family.

Strawberry Moon Smoothie (raw, vegan, free of refined-sugar/gluten/soy)

Strawberry is one of the most popular berries and contains high amounts of vitamin C, antioxidants and flavonoids to boost the immune system and keep the skin and eyes healthy. Every year we try to go strawberry picking at a local orchard or buy them at the Farmer’s Market for maximum flavor. Choose strawberries that are ripe but firm, plump and deep red to get the most of their nutrients and goodness.

Ingredients:

For the Strawberry Chia Jam Heart Swirl (optional, but extra delicious):

¾ cup fresh strawberries
1 or 2 soft Medjool dates, pitted (soaked for 30 mns if needed) or 1 to 2 Tablespoons maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
2 Tablespoons filtered water
½ Tablespoon chia seeds
squeeze of lemon, preferably organic
1 Tablespoon raw grated beet (for vibrant color), optional

For the Strawberry Moon Smoothie:

1 ½ cups fresh strawberries
1 ripe banana, frozen
½ cup plant milk of choice
¼ cup raw cashews, soaked and rinsed well
½ teaspoon vanilla powder (pure extract or seeds from ½ vanilla bean pod)
1 pinch cinnamon

Toppings: Unsweetened shredded coconut and whole strawberries.

Optional Add-ins: Flax, chia or hemp seeds, 1 scoop protein powder, bee-pollen, etc.

Directions:

To make the Strawberry Chia Jam Heart Swirl (Optional, scroll down to Strawberry Moon Smoothie recipe if you prefer to skip this part): Blend the strawberries, dates or maple syrup, water, chia seeds and lemon juice on high speed until silky smooth, stop to scrape down the sides as needed. If you wish to enhance the color, add the fresh grated beet and blend for another 20 seconds. Let stand at room temperature or refrigerator for 20 minutes to thicken. Makes enough for 4 servings, refrigerate leftover to use within a week drizzle on your favorite toast, fruit, dessert, or ice cream.

To make the Strawberry Moon Smoothie: Blend all the ingredients together in a high speed blender until smooth and creamy, but still thick if you wish to serve it in a bowl for breakfast, snack or dessert. Add in more plant milk up to another 1/2 cup if you prefer to drink it in a glass.

To create the heart shaped swirl: Use a teaspoon to dot the top of the smoothie bowl with the Strawberry Chia Jam. Run a toothpick (the end of a chopstick or a bamboo skewer) through the center of each dot without lifting the toothpick out until you reach the last circle. Enjoy served with more strawberry, coconut flakes or any toppings of your liking. Serves 1 to 2.

Feel free to substitute with any seasonal fruits maybe cherries, raspberries, blueberry or blackberries.

Print Recipe: Strawberry Moon Smoothie pdf

Make the most of your summertime, remember to slow down, unplug from your smartphone or multi-media devices, carve out some time to just relax and indulge in the simple pleasures of life: A bowl of ruby cherries, a delicious meal, a great book, a good laugh with loved ones, a walk in the woods or on the beach, or simply an evening to be with your sweetheart, to watch the sunset, to sit back and soak up the easy breezy unfolding summer days…