Today is #AutismAwareness Day. We’re hoping to help to spread awareness with a smoothie that showcases the symbolic colors of the cause. Our Layered Awareness Smoothie is #recipe that blends our Lifeway Kefir with the bright hues of different fruits, and then arranges them to reflect the colors of the rainbow. There is no one kind of autism and the rainbow represents the idea of autism as a spectrum. In the United States, the Center for Disease Control estimates that over 75,000,000 people have some form of this neurodevelopment condition. There is no known cure for autism, which is why autism research is critical. We encourage you to visit @organizationforautismresearch to learn more about this condition and ways in which you can help.
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole fat milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.
Ingredients
- ORANGE LAYER
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup Plain Lowfat Kefir
- ½ cup frozen peaches
- 1 small orange
- ¼ cup frozen mango
- PINK LAYER
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup Strawberry Lowfat Kefir
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- PURPLE LAYER
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup Plain Lowfat Kefir
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- BLUE LAYER
- 2 frozen bananas
- ½ cup Blueberry Lowfat Kefir
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1tsp Blue Spirulina
Directions
- For each smoothie
- Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more liquid to help it blend if it’s too thick.
- Transfer the smoothie to a bowl or container, rinse the blender and prep the next smoothie.
- To assemble the rainbow smoothie
- Carefully layer each color smoothie in glasses in rainbow order. If desired, blend the smoothie using a straw or stir stick. Top each smoothie with a toothpick filled with leftover fruit. Top with Blackberries
