Ah, fig season! One of my favorite times of the year!
Figs are very high in fiber and a good source of several essential minerals, including magnesium, manganese, calcium (promotes bone density), copper, and potassium (helps lower blood pressure), as well as vitamins K and B6. Because figs supply healthy amounts of dietary fiber, they keep your digestive system regulated and may have a positive effect on weight management.
Furthermore, there are many different types of figs, but some popular kinds you might see at your local grocery store or farmer’s market are — Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Turkish Calimyrna, Adriatic, and (my personal favorite) Panache or “Tiger” figs.
Black Mission figs have darkish-purple skin, a dark pink flesh, and are extremely sweet!
Brown Turkey figs have a brownish-dark purple skin, a milder flavor, and are noticeably less sweet than the similar-looking Black Mission figs.
Turkish Calimyrna figs have slightly golden skin and pinkish flesh with a distinctive nutty flavor.
Adriatic figs can have pale or green skin, very pink to red flesh, and an extra sweet flavor.
Panache/”Tiger” figs have blood-red flesh, almost a strawberry jam flavor, and get their name due to their yellow “tiger” stripes. I also find they are less sweet than other kinds of figs.
With that said, figs are a very delicate fruit and are quite perishable so they should be refrigerated if not eaten within a few days. They also contain a bit of fructose so consume in moderation, so when eating figs try to go for fresh over dried because they are lower in sugar. However, the sweetness of the figs can balance the slight bitterness of the adaptogens in a smoothie (like this one) and they have so many vitamins and nutrients! #NaturesCandy
Now, enough about these figgin’ figs… back to the goods in rest of this smoothie.
When I saw that Trader Joe’s started selling frozen coconut meat chunks, all I could think about was how good my smoothies were going to be! The ingredients are as follows: frozen coconut meat. That’s right. Nothing else and no added fillers, preservatives, sugar, or oils — You bet I bought three bags! Adding frozen coconut to smoothies is a great way to make them creamier, thicker, and for the healthy fats! Plus, coconut is also easily digestible.
On a sad note, I didn’t have time to make any nut milk for my smoothie nor had a store bought one. But, I always have a bottle of green tea in my fridge because the green tea/matcha addiction is real. If you haven’t got a bottled green tea on hand, simply boil water, steep a green tea bag, and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes or longer. I’ve talked about the numerous benefits of green tea/matcha before but I’ll say it again. By having green tea in the morning, you’re jump-starting your metabolism and the fat burning process right from the get go. Green tea contains polyphenol which works to intensify levels of fat oxidation, the rate at which the food in your body are turned into calories, and can eventually lead to weight loss. Ah, green tea, nature’s anTEAoxidant powerhouse.
For more information about adaptogens, Blue Majik, and more, check out my previous smoothie post.
TTG’s Top Smoothie Tips:
- Always include healthy fats (i.e. coconut, avocado, nuts, seeds, nut/seed butter, even homemade almond milk!)
- For a protein boost, try adding a small handful of nuts like almonds or a tablespoon of seeds like chia, flax, or hemp.
- When choosing a protein powder, opt for a plant based one with minimal, clean ingredients and no added sugar.
- Add cinnamon to slow the absorption of fructose (fruit sugar) and boost metabolism.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and adaptogens!
- Add crunchy toppings on your smoothie to start digestive enzymes.
- A little fruit goes a long way!
- If you have fruit or veggies in your fridge that are about to go bad, pop those bad boys in the freezer to use instead of ice for thicker, creamier smoothies.
As Will Smith once said, Gettin’ figgy with it. Oh, wait, not exactly. But, you get the gist.
Start your morning on a sweet note with this Coconut Fig Green Tea Smoothie that's full of antioxidants, healthy fats, fiber, and more. Not to mention, it's fat-burning, easy on the digestive system, and perfect for you coconut fans!
- 2 frozen figs
- 1/4 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup chilled green tea
- 1/4 cup frozen coconut chunks
- 1/2 tsp Ashwaganda
- 1/2 tsp Rhodiola
- 1 Foursigmatic Cordyceps Packet
- 1 tsp Pumpkin Spice
- 1 Blue Majik Capsule
- 1 tsp Organic Gemini Tigernut and Pea Protein Smoothie Mix
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
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Place all ingredients in a high speed blender. (Put dry ingredients at the end so they don't get stuck to the bottom of the blender)
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Blend for about a minute, depending on how you like your smoothie consistency.
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Pour into a mason or weck jar or a glass.
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Serve & ENJOY!
