Health & Wellness

Jo Knows Nutrition by Joanne Nijhuis

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB SMOOTHIE – SPRINGTIME BLISS IN A GLASS

Say hello to brighter mornings and blooming flavours with a springtime recipe using in-season rhubarb. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and fibre, this vibrant breakfast drink is a nutritional powerhouse. Both good for you and delish, this smoothie’s pairing of tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries delights the palate and gives you a drinkable version reminiscent of a baked dessert crumble or crisp.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 ml) fresh or frozen rhubarb, cooked on the stove or in the microwave
• 1 cup (250 ml) fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 4 dates, chopped or 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey or maple syrup
• 1 ½ cup (375 ml) yogurt plain or Greek
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground nutmeg
• 1 scoop protein powder & ¼ cup (63 ml) water or 1 cup (250 ml) skim powder & 1 cup (250 ml) water

Instructions:

1. Place the chopped rhubarb in a pot and add a teaspoon (5ml) of water. Cook on the stovetop, stirring regularly until softened. Alternatively, cook the chopped rhubarb and water in the microwave on high heat for 3-5 minutes. Cool and then, freeze before preparing the smoothie.
2. Next, add the frozen rhubarb, fresh or frozen strawberries, apple, dates, honey or maple syrup, yogurt, cinnamon, nutmeg, protein powder or skim milk powder and water to a blender.
3. Securely attach the blender lid and run on high until smooth.
4. Pour into desired glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint, if desired.

Enjoy!

Joanne Nijhuis MSc, RD is a consulting, media and culinary dietitian in Simcoe Grey Bruce on a mission to entertain and educate through her love of food. In addition to recipe development and writing for several publications, Joanne offers cooking demos/classes and individual counselling – in person and online via Zoom Health. For more information, email Joanne at jo.knows.nutrition@outlook.com

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Did You Know?

Adding an extra source of protein to your smoothies is a great way to ensure you are meeting your daily protein needs. Long before tubs of protein powder lined the shelves of health food stores and supermarkets, there was skim milk powder. Skim milk powder is essentially dehydrated milk that is sold at your local grocery store in resealable pouches. An excellent and economical way to boost the protein content of your smoothies and everyday cooking, skim milk powder also adds a creaminess with no unpleasant aftertaste that is so common with protein powder. This is because the protein in skim milk powder is mostly casein while the protein in protein powder is typically made of whey protein concentrate or isolate. A scoop of protein powder often contains 25 grams of protein. To match this amount, use 1 cup of skim milk powder.