I love spring and I love fall. I mean, don’t get me wrong, of course I like summer and winter, too, but there is something so magical about spring and fall that I would absolutely declare those two as my favorite seasons. I’m really sorry that I’m talking about the weather, but I needed a smooth transition into this smoothie, which I have declared to be a Spring Smoothie, because the  ingredients are a mix of winter and summer fruits. We have oranges, which are definitely more of a winter fruit, mangos, which I associate with summertime, and then we have bananas, which, well, let’s face it – are in season all year around in almost every country on the planet. What’s really making this smoothie special, however, are the mint and basil leaves that give it an incredibly fresh taste. 

If you’re not a big fan of mint in smoothies, then start out slowly and increase your mint leaves with time. I guarantee you that you will come to like it eventually. Both mint and basil have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which means that they help our body fight various diseases. So they literally turn smoothies into deliciously tasting medicine. One cup of basil contains almost 100% of the daily vitamin K intake, which is vital for healthy bones and blood clotting. Mint has been used to cure stomach or throat aches for years, so there’s the reason why people drink peppermint tea when they are fighting a sore throat.

The sweetness in this spring smoothie comes from the banana and mango. Bananas are one of the best sources for potassium, which is vital for a healthy heart and a regulated blood pressure. Mango comes with a good amount of vitamin A, which is important for a healthy vision. I like to use frozen mangos because they are already portioned, and function as ice cubes, but you can totally use fresh mango instead.

For an extra touch of creaminess, I always add a little bit of avocado to my smoothies. Another reason why avocados should be your number one smoothie ingredient is that avocados increase the nutrient intake of the fruits and vegetables that they are taken with by up to 200%. If that’s not the best excuse to have an avocado a day, I don’t know what is.

Enjoy!

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