Three types of melons and probiotic-rich Strawberry Lifeway Kefir come together just in time to celebrate the arrival of summer in our Triple Layered Melon Smoothies.
Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are some of the best fruits to enjoy during summer since they’re hydrating, refreshing, and packed with nutrients that support skin, heart, and gut health. Melons are extra delicious when frozen and blended into smoothies since they create an incredible frosty, dessert-like texture that makes any drink feel like a special treat.
In this easy recipe, we used Lifeway Kefir as the base, since its creamy texture makes smoothies more enjoyable, and its probiotics and protein make them more nutritious.
Lifeway Kefir isn’t only packed with complete protein and live probiotics; it’s also an excellent source of calcium and vitamins A and D, and it’s a natural source of vitamin B12, vitamin K2, potassium, and selenium. Our kefir provides your body with critical nutrients it needs for good health, all while being enjoyable and easy to use in just about any recipe you can dream up.
For this easy smoothie recipe, all you have to do is freeze cut melons and blend them in layers with Lifeway Kefir. We used our Lowfat Strawberry flavor here since its taste pairs wonderfully with all of the different melon varieties, but you can use any flavor of our kefir you prefer. Get creative and make this melon-filled, microbiome-loving recipe your own!
Find Lifeway Kefir and our other probiotic-rich products in a store near you here, or shop online to have them delivered.
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 contains 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: 20 minutes (plus 3-4 hours prep for freeze time) Servings: 2 smoothiesIngredients
Cantaloupe Layer:
- 1/2 cup Lowfat Strawberry Kefir
- 1 cup frozen cantaloupe cubes
Honeydew Layer:
- 1/2 cup additional Lowfat Strawberry Kefir (or another flavor)
- 1 cup frozen honeydew cubes
Watermelon Layer:
- 1/2 cup additional Lowfat Strawberry Lifeway Kefir (or another flavor)
- 1 cup frozen watermelon cubes
Directions
- *Prep: Be sure to freeze the cut melons for at least 3-4 hours until solid before making the rest of the recipe. Frozen melon provides the best taste and texture, as the results will be diluted in flavor and overly liquified if using unfrozen melons. To cut and freeze the melons, simply peel and cut them into 1 inch cubes, then freeze them in a glass dish covered for 3-4 hours. Remove and blend as directed below.
- Blend each layer separately and add to two glasses as you blend each one so that once completed, you have two smoothies with all three layers.
- Slightly swirl the layers together with a straw in each glass, then garnish with freshly sliced strawberries and serve. Enjoy!
