Cultured dairy foods, like Lifeway Kefir, are a dream come true for your health, and we’ve got a delicious Blueberry Lavender Dream Smoothie to prove it! This gut-healthy, protein-packed recipe is more than pretty to look at; it’s also filled with goodness from top to bottom.
This smoothie’s magic comes from Lowfat Blueberry Kefir that’s high in protein, abundant in live and active probiotics with billions of cultures per serving, and it’s an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D for bone health. To that, we add antioxidant-rich wild blueberries (a great source of fiber!), calming lavender, magnesium-rich bananas, and a light drizzle of honey for an extra boost of sweetness and immune system support.
We added light coconut cream to the glasses to give the smoothie a cloud-like effect, but you can always mix it into the smoothie if you prefer or leave it out. Feel free to add extra blueberries on top for a garnish, and other toppings you love such as coconut flakes, granola, sliced almonds, or anything else. Want it a little less sweet? Feel free to use plain Lifeway Kefir instead; either way, it will still be delicious!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for better gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and even help support healthier blood sugar levels and improve levels of satiety due to how it triggers the release of GLP-1 since it is an excellent source of protein.
In addition, kefir contains a special trio of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones: vitamin D, K, and calcium. It is also an excellent source of many B vitamins, including vitamin B12. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is also an excellent source of protein and contains live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome.
Prep Time: 2-3 mins Servings: 2Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Lowfat Blueberry Kefir
- 1 cup frozen wild blueberries
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1-2 tsp. honey
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. dried lavender buds (culinary grade)
- 1/2 cup whipped coconut cream (for the glasses)
- Garnish: lavender buds, fresh blueberries, and anything else you like
Directions
- Add a few dollops of coconut cream to the bottom of each glass. Set aside.
- Blend together Lifeway Kefir, frozen wild blueberries, the bananas, honey, vanilla, and lavender.
- Pour the smoothie mixture into each prepared glass, then add another dollop of coconut cream on top of the glasses. Garnish with lavender buds and fresh blueberries if desired.
