Detox Smoothie with Pomegranate & Sour Cherries

By Melissa Griffiths of Bless This Mess

Welcome January with a renewed desire to feed your body well. It’s a natural time to restart, reconnect, and make changes. Whether or not you’re a big resolution maker, I’ll bet your body is ready for some changes. The holidays and all of their deliciousness are great, but once the New Year rolls around I know I’m ready to make some different choices. This power detox smoothie is a great way to start off your healthy eating.

I find myself craving sugar—lots of it—after my holiday binging, and the effects of sugar withdrawal can be harsh. So in order to help myself along, I enjoy a sweet smoothie in the afternoon or before bed when my sugar cravings hit the hardest. The fruit and natural sugar helps to make a no-refined sugar challenge so much better. Pomegranate and dark sour cherries are my two special ingredients in this smoothie.

Did you know that pomegranate contains a higher concentration of antioxidants than cranberry juice, red wine, blueberries, or green tea? I like using the whole arils too, instead of just juice, for the added fiber. Sour cherries are a powerhouse when it comes to health benefits too—and they’re amazing in smoothies! They add just the right tang to make the smoothie a real treat to your palate. Sour cherries are known to help reduce inflammation (a common side effect of sugar consumption), aid sleep, and also help your muscles heal more quickly.

What’s not to love? The pineapple juice and banana are my sweeteners and the banana really makes a great texture. This smoothie is just the thing to make your healthy new goals a real treat. Not only is it good for your body, it’s also good for your soul. Enjoy!

Detox Smoothie

Ingredients

½ cup pineapple juice
½ banana
Arils from ½ a pomegranate (about ½ a cup)
1 cup frozen dark sour cherries

Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to your Blendtec jar. Process until smooth, about 1 minute. Enjoy right away. Serves one.  

For more recipes that are quick, healthy, and family-friendly, check out my blog, Bless this Mess. You’ll also find lots of good eats, the fun we have raising a dozen backyard chickens, and an honest picture of a happy small town life. You can connect on Facebook and Instagram too!