Maybe I’m writing this post just for me. I suspect not however.
We’ve turned the corner. Thanksgiving is staring us in the face. In the Boulder Locavore kitchen holiday recipe development has begun with lots of sugary taste testing. I’m not complaining mind you, but feel confident if it continues at this clip, I’ll be wearing double Spanx to all holiday parties.
Here’s the thing about eating sweets I’ve found. Once it begins my palate shifts gears and it becomes a complete sugar fest. Sugar begets sugar. I can look into a fridge of fresh produce, shut the door and reach for more fudge without skipping a beat.
But this year I don’t want to ‘pull out my fat pants’. I want to enjoy the seasonal foods without it becoming a full gorge-a-thon landing me in January with pounds to shed and a full dietary retraining.
I have a little trick that I’m going to share with you to help get over the holiday hump, keeping good, tasty nutrition going while addressing the proclivity for sweets. This No Fat Pants Persimmon Smoothie is my secret weapon. It harnesses a fantastic in-season antioxidant-rich fruit, the persimmon.
Naturally sweet when ripe, persimmons are a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, fiber (which help the digestive system stay in top shape) and B-complex vitamins which help stabilize the metabolism.
Other powerhouse fruits in the smoothie include pineapple and papaya which have powerful enzymes that help with digestion. Ginger also helps settle the stomach.
Ever hear of drinking ginger ale for an upset stomach? It’s the ginger that is the trick. Kale is a superfood I find doesn’t have a strong flavor in a smoothie unlike some of its super green counterparts.
Adding a few dates sweetens the smoothie up naturally (be sure they contain no pits before tossing them into the blender).
This No Fat Pants Persimmon Smoothie is full of flavor, thick and rich, and only made with filtered water so no extra calories from added juice. Natural sweetness helps to curb the processed sweets cravings for me and I think it will for you too! Sprinkle in some chia seeds to add more protein to keep you full longer too!
No Fat Pants Persimmon Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 fully ripe Hachiya Persimmon
- 1/2 cup Pineapple pieces
- 1/2 cup Papaya pieces
- 2 medium Kale leaves , destemmed and torn into pieces
- 2 Medjool Dates , pits removed
- 1 teaspoon fresh Ginger
- 2/3 cup Filtered Water
- Juice of 1/2 Lime
Instructions
- Slice the persimmon vertically. Remove any firm membrane just below the calyx (the green top) and scoop the flesh from the persimmon into a blender.
- Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth.
More smoothies you will love:
Nina says
Sign me up!
Chasing Joy says
This sounds like a good strategy for the holidays. Your right sugar begets sugar.
Kristin says
Sounds like a yummy healthy treat. Thank you for sharing.
Raijean Sr says
Love this, I’m going to have to try this. You are right no fat pants!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I have never had anything with persimmon in it before. This looks so refreshing!
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have never tried Perisimmon before. I have seen a couple recipes using it and I am intrigued to give it a try.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I haven’t had Persimmon in ages, it’s super hard to find near me for some reason!
Onica {Mommy Factor} says
I really love smoothie, aside from its Yummy and delicious it is also healthy to drink. But then, I haven’t try persimmon, one of this days I’n going to try this, thanks for sharing the recipe.
Jennifer Mercurio says
I’ve never heard of Persimmon before. Where would I find something like that? I love pineapple in my smoothies though so I’m sure the addition of that makes this all too amazing!
Toni Dash says
If you are near a Whole Foods market they definitely will have them. If you are lucky enough to be in a temperate climate like California they will have them everywhere right now.
Ora Lee Gurr says
The persimmon smoothie sounds and looks appealing and tasty. It’s always nice to make something that makes me feel full instead of desperately encouraging me to find something else to eat right away.
Jeanine says
Yum that sounds delicious. The color scares me a bit but I’m open to trying all these new creations. This sounds lovely.
Toni Dash says
Oh, I totally understand Jeanine! There is a post on my blog called Green Smoothies the Beginner’s Journey in which I confess my reluctance to try green smoothies because they look like they’d taste like a swamp! The thing I love about kale is you really don’t taste it when it’s mixed with fruits. Other greens you do. So believe me this smoothie tastes like the fruits and ginger in it, not the kale. Just close your eyes when you drink it!
Crystal says
I’m glad I’m not alone. Once I start, I can’t stop. This looks like a smoothie I need in my world!
Liz Mays says
I’m scared the fat pants are on their way, so I need to start drinking this to slow down my sugar cravings too. I love persimmons!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
This sounds delicious, I love the added pineapple pieces. Also, the name is pretty funny too!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
I love adding ginger to my smoothie – this one looks really good. Always looking for new ideas for green smoothies.
Pam says
I love making smoothies! I always feel so healthy when I drink them.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
that sounds really good. I’m a huge smoothie fan, but I’ve never had one with persimmon before.