Banana Berry Smoothie

Yay for summer! This smoothie is delicious, filling, and so refreshing on a hot day! ‘Tis the season for picking berries; there’s just something so “summery” about getting out in the berry patch! Enjoy this smoothie for breakfast or as a power snack in the afternoon. It’s also healthy—the only “added” sugar is in the orange juice, which you can totally skip if you’d like (just add some water for extra liquid). If you’ve never used kefir before, it’s a natural, probiotic drink that should be available at your local grocery store. Serves 2.

2 bananas, sliced—preferably fresh, but you can use frozen

1 c. blackberries—fresh or frozen

1/2 c. blueberries—fresh or frozen

1 1/2 c. strawberry kefir

1/4 c. orange juice (optional)

1/4 c. water

Handful of ice cubes

In your blender, place sliced bananas, blackberries, blueberries, and ice cubes. Add kefir, orange juice, and water. Blend thoroughly until your smoothie has a thick, creamy consistency. Add more orange juice or a little water if you prefer it thinner.

Variation: Experiment with other flavors of kefir (blueberry or raspberry) and other fresh berries that are in season, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.