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This colorful pear ginger smoothie has turned into my favorite fix whenever inflammation acts up. It's full of nourishing stuff that gives you just the right mix of the pear's sweetness with a zesty punch from fresh ginger that livens up your senses while soothing your system.
I found this blend in Maryea Flaherty's book "Anti-Inflammatory Drinks for Health" and I've been making it every week since then. My mornings don't feel right anymore without this zingy mix that gets me going without the ups and downs of caffeine.
Ingredients
- Ripe pear: Remove the middle and cut one big fruit into four pieces for natural sugar and roughage
- Baby spinach: Two cups gives you vitamin K and cell-protecting compounds without changing the taste
- Fresh ginger: One tablespoon skinned and diced brings warmth that tackles inflammation
- Lemon juice: One tablespoon makes everything pop and adds vitamin C
- Whole almonds: Quarter cup provides good fats and protein to keep hunger away
- Cold water: Three quarters cup makes everything flow just right
- Ice: One cup makes it nice and cold and gives that creamy feel
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get everything ready:
- Round up all items making sure your pear gives a little when you push it for the best sweetness. Clean spinach well and dry it off. Peel ginger with a spoon's edge since it works better in the bumpy spots than regular peelers. Get exact amounts of everything else for the best results.
- Mix it all together:
- Put everything in your blender starting with wet stuff at the bottom, softer things in the middle, and ice on top. Setting things up this way helps create a swirl for better blending.
- Blend until it's creamy:
- Start your blender on low then slowly turn it up higher. Keep going for about a minute or until you can't see any almond bits or ginger chunks anymore. When it's done, it should pour easily but still coat a spoon when dipped.
- Drink it right away:
- Pour your finished smoothie in a tall glass and enjoy it immediately while all the good stuff is fresh and it's still nice and cold. If you wait too long, it'll start to separate.
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You Must Know
Ginger really shines in this drink. I always keep some in my freezer because it's easier to grate that way and lasts much longer. The stuff in ginger called gingerols really helps with the aches I get in my joints after I've been working in the garden.
Make It Your Own
You can easily change up this smoothie based on what you've got at home. Try apples instead of pears in the fall or throw in half a frozen banana if you want it creamier. These little tweaks keep the main flavors intact but let you work with what's in season.
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Nutritional Powerhouse
When you put spinach and pear together, you get tons of compounds that fight cell damage. The almonds have good fats that help your body use the vitamins from the greens better. Think of this smoothie as a complete food package rather than just something to drink.
Storage Tips
While it's best right after you make it, you can get stuff ready ahead of time. Wash and cut everything the night before and keep it all separate in the fridge. You can also blend it and keep it in a sealed container for up to a day, but it might separate so you'll need to stir it before drinking.
Seasonal Adaptations
When winter comes and fresh pears aren't so good, try using canned pears in their own juice not syrup. Make sure to drain them well before adding so your smoothie isn't too runny. This way you can still get your inflammation-fighting boost no matter what time of year it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What can I swap almonds for in this drink?
Sure! Switch them out with nuts like walnuts or cashews. For no nuts, try sunflower seeds.
- → How do I make this drink a bit sweeter?
Pop in a banana, drizzle in some honey, or throw in a medjool date for extra sweetness.
- → Can I keep this drink for later?
It’s best fresh, but you can store it in the fridge in an airtight jar for up to a day. Shake it well before drinking.
- → What’s so great about pear and ginger?
Pear gives you fiber and a natural sweetness, while ginger helps with digestion and fights inflammation.
- → Is ice a must in this drink?
Not at all! Swap the ice for cold water, or toss in some frozen pear to keep it chilled and thick.