Cherry Pineapple Smoothie

Author Notes

Breakfast is the hardest meal of the day for me. I do not relish the idea of slaving over a stove while I attempt to whip up a healthy meal before the sun even begins to shine. For years I either skipped breakfast or ate cold pop tarts in my car on the way to work. Then, I got pregnant and decided that I needed to focus more on my health. The catch was, I still didn't want to give up any of my precious sleep. Since then, smoothies have become an integral part of my morning routine.

I probably tried a couple dozen smoothie recipes during the first few months of exploring and experimenting, but cherry pineapple smoothies have always been my favorite. They're naturally sweet, refreshing, and packed with vitamins and antioxidants that are hard to get elsewhere.

Cherries serve to reduce the effects of arthritis and have been known to reduce the risk of heart disease. Pineapple is great for reducing blood pressure and boosting the immune system. Bananas provide potassium and can be used to reduce high blood pressure. Not bad for an early morning breakfast on the go.

My favorite part of the whole recipe is how quick and easy it is to prepare. The whole process - from preparation to final product - takes less than five minutes. —Victoria