Heart Beet Smoothie

I’m really not the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day.

I just never really saw the point for this holiday. If you truly love the one you’re with, don’t you think that every day should be treated like Valentine’s Day? Do you really need a special day designated for niceness and thoughtful gifts? A single date per year that you decide to bring home flowers for a loved one or choose to have a romantic night out?

Great. Now I’m sounding like my mother.

I just think that if we all acted a little more like every day was Valentine’s Day, the world would be a much better place. Treating others with random acts of kindness and spontaneous romantic gestures sounds like the kind of place I’d like to live. Are you with me? Can we all get behind this “Treat Every Day as Valentine’s Day” movement?

I think a great way to start out would be to make this Heart Beet Smoothie for someone you’re fond of, someone you think is a cutie, or someone who you believe is the bee’s knees. It is full of ingredients that directly benefit the organ that hogs all the attention this holiday – the heart. This smoothie is beautiful, balanced, and downright tasty – the perfect treat to share with your valentine.

Typical of breakfast smoothies, we’re starting off with a frozen banana. The texture that the banana imparts in the smoothie is unparalleled and is crucial to the creaminess of the finished product. And the flavor? I’m convinced that there are few foods that are tastier than the banana. Bananas are also rich in potassium, which has been shown to support heart health. Be kind to your heart; blend the banana.

We’ve spoken of my love of beets before. This time, however, we’re blending them to add some veggie goodness to this beautifully-colored smoothie. Do not fear. I promise you that this smoothie will not taste like dirt, feet, or whatever you think beets taste like. The beets just add a little sweetness to the party and, just like the banana, offer a powerful punch of potassium. Don’t knock it ’til you try it. And once you try it, I guarantee you will not be knocking it. Whatever that means.

One of my favorite ingredients in my kitchen are frozen blueberries. They’re perfect for those blueberry muffins my brother loves so much, they’re a wonderful snack after they’re submerged in some almond milk and granola, and they are a kick-butt addition to any smoothie. Blueberries scream “health” to me, and, although terrifying, it’s for good reason. Consumption of blueberries have been linked to increased cardiovascular health. And they also give this smoothie the wonderful purple hue.

We need some liquid, so I looked no further than my trusty unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Almonds have been linked to reducing heart disease, and the milk gives an undeniably creamy and nutty flavor to our smoothie. Other milks would work, too, but almonds are so supremely healthy for us, so I suggest sticking with this oblong nut.

We also add a couple tablespoons of some special ingredients: my beloved oatmeal and ground flaxseed. Both ingredients offer cardiovascular benefits, and they also thicken this smoothie. We’re talking “extra thick milkshake”-thick. And it’s glorious. Heart healthy and glorious.

This Heart Beet Smoothie would be a marvelously healthy choice to serve to a loved one for a special breakfast in bed. Your valentine will rejoice at the nourishing nutrients packed into this simple smoothie. This smoothie truly is a way to show someone you love them by fueling their body with ingredients that will benefit them for many more Valentine’s Days to come!