Recipe ReDux Post # 70 Pina Colada Smoothie

The May Recipe ReDux theme is “probiotic coctails and gut health mocktails” and the challenge was create a new version of a trendy beverage with a probiotic twist.  There couldn’t have been more perfect timing in place for this request because I have been dreaming of pina coladas for weeks since returning from a wonderful vacation in Maui last month. I was excited to create an everyday, non–alcoholic smoothie version of pina colada. So I tried my luck at combining just a few simple ingredients in a blender with some ice and the results were delicious!  The Greek yogurt provides a healthy dose of protein and probiotics and works as a nice base for the recipe. This is a great smoothie for breakfast or a post workout snack.  I hope you will try it out along with the rest of the creative gut friendly mocktails from the Recipe ReDux crew!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup light coconut milk
1 cup pineapple
1 6 ounce coconut flavored Greek yogurt (I used Chobani_
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
4 ice cubes

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed for a minute until a smooth consistency is reached.

Makes one serving

Serving size: 1 smoothie Calories 290 Protein 13 Carb 39 g Sugar 31 Fiber 2 g Fat 11 g Saturated fat 4 g Sodium 52 mg

Read more...

Cranberry News, Recipes and Research!

Check out the latest and greatest info/recipes from the Cranberry Institute!

Happy Spring! This season, we are excited to unveil The Cranberry Institute’s refreshed logo! While still dedicated to the same mission of supporting research and spreading awareness for cranberries’ health benefits, our new logo reflects our fresh perspective on health research and sharing information on cranberries’ whole-body benefits with you. Read on for the latest in cranberry and health research, as well as to discover our new resources and delicious cranberry recipes!

The Cranberry Chronicles    

Discover our latest comprehensive chronicle of cranberry’s existing and emerging whole-body health benefits. 

The Cranberry Chronicles are consistently updated with breaking scientific abstracts, articles, sharable resources, infographics and story ideas. You’ve probably heard that cranberries may help prevent UTIs, but did you know they may affect heart health, help reduce inflammation, influence the gut microbiota and play a role in glucose metabolism?! 

Learn more by reading The Cranberry Chronicles – and check out our newest resources, A Berry for Every Body handout and shareable graphic

   Cranberry Health Research Library    

Our collection of cranberry research just got a fresh look! Explore the extensive database of cranberry health research abstracts with our easy-to-follow breakdown by topic area. You can also browse the selections by year to find the most recent publications: Cranberry Health Research Library Cooking Up Cranberries This tangy Homemade Cranberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing, by Anne Danahy of Craving Something Healthy will be the magic touch on your next salad. This recipe works well with any type of cranberry sauce (organic, whole berry or jellied)!  Looking for a way to kick off grilling season? Cranberry Pesto Chicken Burgers are super simple, and super delicious! Cranberries & Human Health   Cranberries may improve glucose response in type 2 diabetes Postprandial hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased oxidative stress and inflammation have been shown to be significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent research suggests that cranberries may have cardiometabolic benefits in this population…read more Schell J, et al. Cranberries improve postprandial glucose excursions in type 2 diabetes. Food Funct. doi: 10.1039/c7fo00900c. Assessing the consumption of berries and associated factors in the United States using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2012 NHANES observed that overall fruit intake, especially of berries, in the U.S. is remarkably low. ·          Fruit consumption varies with age. Children aged 2 to 5 and adults over 65 eat more fruit. ·         Higher levels of education and greater socioeconomic status are associated with more fruitand berry consumption. ·       Participants’ beliefs about nutrition and perception of their own diet were also associated with fruit consumption. Those who rank nutrition as very important or somewhat important consumed 12% more total fruit and 70% more berries than those who ranked nutrition as less important (other category). When asked “how healthy is your overall diet,” respondents who chose excellent or very good consumed 43% more total fruit and 96% more berries than those who view their diet as less than or equal to good (other category). Learn more here. Burton-Freeman BM, et al. Assessing the consumption of berries and associated factors in the United States using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2012. Food Funct. doi: 10.1039/cfo01650f Evolution of Cranberry Research Over the past 25 years, research on the health benefits of cranberries has significantly evolved to reveal cranberry’s whole-body benefits. A recent review of history and evidence was published by Zhaoa, et al., in the Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture. Click here to learn more about cranberries’ potential role in: ·       Urinary Tract Health ·       Cancer Prevention ·       Cardiometabolic Health ·       Glycemic Control ·       Digestive Health Learn more here. Zhaoa S, et al. American Cranberries and Health Benefits – an Evolving Story of 25 years. J Sci of Food & Agric. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.8882.

Read more...