Blend your way up to a dose of cheer with our Cherry Almond Kefir Smoothie that’s rich in protein, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory compounds found in cherries and Lifeway Kefir. Boosted with skin-loving almond butter, this smoothie is also an excellent source of magnesium, vitamin E, and beautifying biotin (vitamin B7) since almonds are a great source of all these nutrients. Lifeway Kefir and cherries are already the perfect pairing for smoothies since both of them contain calming properties, are excellent for health, and taste incredible when blended together!
Did you know? Cherries are a natural prebiotic which means they contain types of fibers that feed beneficial gut bacteria in your body, while our kefir contains billions of live and active cultures that beat out pricey probiotic supplements on the market. Lifeway Kefir is also packed with protein and contains all essential amino acids, meaning it’s highly bioavailable and easy for your body to digest for optimal nourishment.
We included a little something extra to this smoothie with hints of vanilla and almond extracts which both add layers of indulgent flavors you don’t want to miss. Frozen banana makes this smoothie extra creamy, but you can also blend in some frozen strawberries as another option. Choose fresh tart cherries if they’re in season or dark sweet frozen cherries if not. Can’t find our cherry flavors of kefir? No problem! Our plain flavors are also an excellent choice too.
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, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir also contains a variety of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones and overall health: vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our kefir, we also offer our artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome that’s easy to spread and contains no added salt for optimal heart-health benefits.
Prep Time: 2-3 mins Servings: 1Ingredients
- 1 cup Lowfat Cherry Kefir
- --or sub with plain kefir if preferred
- 1/2 cup frozen cherries
- 1/2 a frozen banana or 1/4 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract or flavor (use alcohol-free for the best taste)
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract or flavor (use alcohol-free for the best taste)
- 1-2 tbsp. raw almond butter
- Toppings: frozen cherries, raw almond slices
- splash of water or more kefir if you want it thinner.
Directions
- Add Lifeway kefir, frozen cherries, the frozen banana or frozen strawberries, vanilla and almond extract, and the raw almond butter to a blender. Add a splash of cold water or more kefir if you want it thinner.
- Blend until creamy, then pour the mixture into your favorite smoothie glass, and top with some fresh (or additional frozen cherries) and almond slices on top. Enjoy!
