Don’t you just love when you find something that tastes so decadent but is actually good for you? That’s how we feel about smoothie bowls. We know that you guys have seen these beautiful pink colored smoothie bowls all over your social media and you’re not alone if you were wondering, “what in the world is that?!?”. The vibrant pink color comes from Pitaya, otherwise known as Dragon Fruit. Dragon Fruit is a superfruit indigenous to Central and South America but is now grown all over the world. Don’t let that intimidate you because it is super accessible to us in small pouches that are perfect for smoothies and smoothie bowls and can be found in your local grocery store.
So, this week we want to share the smoothie bowl we made with Pitaya and the ever popular collagen peptides protein powder. Pitaya has numerous health benefits including immune booster, digestive aid, diabetes prevention, and anti-aging! It is rich in antioxidants, they contain vitamin C (equivalent to 10 percent of the daily value), polyunsaturated (good) fatty acids, and several B vitamins for carbohydrate metabolism, as well as carotene and protein. Due to the vitamin C content, pitaya is packed with antioxidants which do a great job of keeping the skin tight and firm, which can offer a youthful appearance…which brings us to collagen!
Collagen is a long chain amino acid and is the most abundant protein in our body. It is found in our muscles, bones, skin, tendons, hair and it’s even found in our digestive system. It has been called the “glue” that holds our body together. But sadly collagen decreases with age starting even as early as our 20s and 30s, which is why it is so important to incorporate it into our daily diets.
From more youthful looking skin to reducing inflammation and healing your gut, collagen is a true nutritional powerhouse. As we mentioned collagen is a long chain amino acid and is primarily composed of the amino acids glycine, proline, alanine, and hydroxyproline. These particular amino acids are shown to reduce the signs of aging (so you can now throw the idea of botox out of the window!). Now, if you’re a man chances are you probably could care less about what it does to the appearance of your skin, but the same amino acids, glycine, and proline, help repair tissue, lessen inflammation, shortens recovery after exercise and helps with sports-related injuries! If you haven’t heard, our gut is considered our second brain since it can be directly relative to many health issues and how our body is currently acting. Knowing that you will want to make sure that your gut is performing optimally. Collagen soothes and heals the digestive tract and helps repair the mucous lining, which can help repair leaky gut syndrome. It also helps break down the protein and fat from foods, making them easier for the body to digest.
If you ask us, those are some pretty good reasons to, not only, add collagen to your diet, but to also try this recipe! But we won’t shame you for wanting to give it a try simply due to the beautiful, vibrant pink color. Have fun with the toppings and add your favorite granola and fruits! And as always, don’t forget to snap a picture for Instagram (and tag us) to show off your creation to all of your friends.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Vanilla Almond Milk
2 packet of frozen Pitaya (dragon fruit) puree
1/2 cup frozen fruit – we used a mixture of strawberries, bananas, and mangos
2 scoops collagen peptides, we used Vital Proteins
Toppings: (optional) granola, chia seeds, star fruit or anything that sounds good to you
Instructions:
1.) Starting with the almond milk, place all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high. Pour into a bowl and sprinkle toppings on or not and enjoy!
