Seize the afterglow of a tough workout (and boost recovery while you’re at it!) with this refreshing, vitamin-packed afterglow smoothie. A twist on the afterglow mocktail made with pineapple and orange juice and grenadine syrup, this smoothie combines the vitamin-rich pineapple and mango chunks, freshly squeezed OJ, Greek yogurt milk for protein, and a splash of antioxidant-packed pomegranate juice instead of sugary grenadine.

If you love smoothies but find the process of pulling and measuring ingredients feels like more work than it should be (I do!), smoothie packets might just become your new best friend. They are one of my favorite kitchen hacks for two reasons: less prep and less mess, not to mention the convenience makes it even easier to get those fruits and veggies in.

To make smoothie packs, all you have to do is combine your smoothie ingredients in a food storage bag, press the air out and pop it in the freezer. For best results, chop up fresh fruit into ½-inch chunks. If you have a spare ice-cube tray or silicone mini-muffin pan, you can even pre-freeze ingredients like yogurt, nut butters and other specialty smoothie ingredients—like fresh OJ and pomegranate juice—that you might not always have on hand. Just be sure to leave out some liquid (or plan to add water) because you’ll need that to help get things going in the blender.

This afterglow smoothie is sure to be a favorite. Make some smoothie packets and blend one up in minutes for a quick breakfast, fast snack or cooling recovery treat after a hard workout!

MAKES: 2 8-ounce smoothies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup (5 ounces) frozen pineapple chunks
• ½ cup (3 ounces) frozen mango chunks
• ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt (or yogurt of choice)
• ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk (or water or milk of choice)
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice

INSTRUCTIONS

Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse until smooth, adding more milk or water to thin, if necessary. Serve immediately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDmnQ0cb0O4

Video & photo credit: Elle Penner, MPH RD

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