There’s a reason everyone always picks out the red candies and fruit snacks; cherry is one of the most classic and crowd-favorite flavors of all time.

Aside from being a favorite, real cherries are incredibly nutrient dense (sorry, fruit snacks).

Cherries contain:

• potent anthocyanins, the antioxidants found in grapes and red wine that decrease inflammation in the body
• quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-carcinogenic activity
• soluble fiber to aid digestive health
• beta-carotene, the precursor to active vitamin A, which helps maintain eyesight and healthy skin
•  melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle (cherries are one of nature’s few sources)

Cherries have an extra special place in my heart. I happen to be one of the lucky few in the world that has access to a cherry orchard each summer. A Flathead cherry orchard to be exact – some of the best in the world. I’ll save you the long story, my grandfather bought the land in the 1930s (lucky me!).

The one downfall about fresh cherries is that they are in season for such a short period of time, making them hard to find and pricy.

Enter the frozen cherry.

Frozen fruit is incredibly nutritious and often a great value. Freezing fresh produce right when it’s harvested locks in nutrients; some nutritionists even think that it can be more nutritious than fresh produce that is consumed too long after it’s harvested. I think fresh is always best, but frozen is a (very) close second.

Organic frozen cherries are a staple in my freezer – I can even find them at Costco. Look for frozen cherries (and other fruits) so you can enjoy them year round. Buy organic when you can.

A few recipe notes:

1. I use coconut water here for the flavor and extra electrolytes, but you can substitute purified water if you don’t have any coconut water on hand. Your smoothie will still taste delicious.
2. Load up on the spinach, you can’t even taste it! If you’re new to green smoothies, start by adding one handful and work your way up to more as you become accustomed to it.
3. I sometimes add protein powder if I feel like I need it. The photo on this page is this smoothie recipe without protein powder, just FYI.

Cherry Chia Green Smoothie With Coconut Water

Time: less than 5 minutes
Serves 1

• 2 large handfuls washed baby spinach
• 3/4 cup frozen cherries (pitted)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• 8 ounces pure, unsweetened coconut water
• 1/2 cup purified water (plus more if needed)
• handful of ice
• optional: 1 serving of your favorite protein powder, if desired

Method: Blend all ingredients together in a high-speed blender. Best served immediately, store for later if desired.

Cherry Chia Green Smoothie With Coconut Water

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• Author: Elizabeth Rider
• Prep Time: Less than 5 minutes
• Total Time: 0 hours
• Yield: Serves 1

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 2 large handfuls washed baby spinach
• 3/4 cup frozen cherries (pitted)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• 8 ounces pure, unsweetened coconut water
• 1/2 cup purified water (plus more if needed)
• handful of ice
• optional: 1 serving of your favorite protein powder, if desired

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Instructions

Blend all ingredients together in a high-speed blender. Best served immediately, store for later if desired.

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