Health isn't just about green smoothies, kale and shots of wheatgrass (although I love all of those things, minus the wheatgrass possibly as I've yet to try it!). In fact, health can represent itself in so many ways.

To your trendy health magazine, health is represented through new, unique, unheard of trends.
To your doctor, health is represented through check-ups, managing symptoms and practicing care.
To your personal trainer, health is represented through movement, sweating, strength building and endorphins.
To your therapist, health is represented through release, laughter, and reflection.
To me (your nutritionist), health is represented through vibrant colourful foods that nourish you from the inside out and make you feel ALIVE.

I say all of this because there really isn't just one definition of what it means to be healthy. I also say this because I think we (including myself) get too hard on ourselves sometimes and are quick to criticize ourselves if our smoothie isn't green or if our salad doesn't contain kale

We have to remember that it's about doing the absolute very best we can, every day.

So for that reason, I'm switching up the smoothie game a bit and showing you how to create a healthy, balanced but non-green smoothie – a Raspberry Cream Gut Loving Smoothie that is!

I was stoked when the lovely Rachel Bies (aka The Healthy Bies) asked me to be a part of this smoothie collaboration, where several of us health nuts shared a new and unique smoothie blend (PSST: Be sure to scroll down to the end of this post to get their fun recipes)! Smoothie season is on its way in so I wanted to make sure you all had a plethora of options!

My love for raspberries recently came about from a purchase of a Costco sized organic bag of frozen raspberries. It happens to the best of us, right? I wouldn't usually put any other fruit in my smoothie other than 1/2 banana or maybe some frozen pineapple to add a touch of creaminess and sweetness until I realized I was missing out on so much that all of these other phytonutrient-packed fruits had to offer.

Now remember, the secret with smoothies isn't to make it fruity-tootie and cause your blood sugar to skyrocket, but to make it as balanced and nourishing as possible. While I'm using raspberries in this recipe, I'm deliberately not using an excessive amount. Raspberries are also low on the glycemic index coming in at 32 (anything under 55 is considered "low") meaning that it won't cause your blood sugar to spike.

Raspberries are also rockstar little fruits in that they are loaded with fibre (meaning they help assist in overall digestion), packed with antioxidants that boosts immunity and helps the body to fight disease and they help to give you glowing vibrant skin!

Another rockstar ingredient in this smoothie is kefir yogurt. If you're a yogurt lover, you'll likely enjoy kefir. However, be warned that it does come with its own unique tart sour taste (which I've learned to enjoy!)

So what exactly is kefir, you ask?!

Kefir is a cultured yogurt that contains beneficial probiotic yeast and bacteria. Kefir can be made from any type of milk, including cow's, goat's, sheep, coconut, rice or soy. Due to availability, I used cow's milk-derived kefir which I typically wouldn't use as cow's milk is difficult to digest and is pro-inflammatory in the body. However, cow's milk kefir contains so much beneficial bacteria that it provides enough lactase, the enzyme that is used to break down the lactose. This means that breaking down the cow's milk-derived food is much easier on digestion.

The fact that it is a fermented food means that it helps to contribute to overall gut health, which as we now know, is so crucial in regulating mood, depression, anxiety and overall health as all disease begins in the gut. I've also weaseled in one of my favourite plant-based proteins, hemp hearts, along with my favourite poop-aid, ground flax! Both of these ingredients are going to make this more of a balanced meal that will keep you satiated for hours.

So as you can see, it's totally possible to make a healthy smoothie that isn't green. Don't get me wrong, I love my green smoothies but once in a while, I just want something with a bit more of a splash of flavour!

Raspberry Cream Gut Loving Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup organic frozen raspberries
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup kefir yogurt
1 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tbsp ground flax
filtered water, to thin to desired consistency (I used about ~1 cup)

Directions

Place all ingredients in your high-speed blender and blend away!

For more refreshing and nourishing smoothie recipes, check out the recipes from these lovely healthified ladies below!