Recipe: Tropical Cilantro Smoothie

You know what’s really good for you? A tropical vacation. Truly. Sunlight on your skin boosts serotonin (the happy hormone), while the gentle brush of waves on seashore and breeze in palm trees relaxes mind and muscle.

Unfortunately, most of us live far from seaside paradise. What’s the next best thing to a tropical getaway? A tropical smoothie, obviously. While pining for Mexico’s Riviera Maya, I created this refreshing smoothie that showcases a central flavor of classic Yucatan cuisine — cilantro.

In addition to tasting like a cup of vacation, this simple recipe is packed with wholesome nutrients that will leave you feeling energized and well. Cilantro is a powerful bonding agent that binds to accumulated heavy metals and toxins in vital organs and tissues and aids in their removal. A cup of fresh pineapple provides 100% of your recommended daily amount of vitamin C. Bananas are rich in potassium, which promotes muscle health — in particular, the muscle of your heart.

If you toss these three together and blend with a cup of orange juice, the naturally sweet, creamy result might almost convince you that stay-cations are all you need.