So how was everyone’s Christmas?? Did you get to see your families? Did you eat lots of cookies? Anyone get any nice presents?
My holiday was very nice. It was really great to spend some quality time with my whole family + our pups, and to give + receive presents under the Christmas tree!! I know Christmas isn’t about presents, but I just love giving gifts to others and seeing their faces when they open them. My sister loves Olaf from Frozen, and I got her a huge plush Olaf and matching water bottle. My mom loves anything from Bath and Body Works, so I got her a bunch of soaps and lotions in her favorite scent. And my Dad is really politically inclined, and I gave him a political satire calendar which made him laugh. So I’d say it was a pretty successful gift-giving season for me!
But let’s talk smoothie bowls. As I’ve been engaging in my mental and physical recovery while I’m on leave, I’ve been making a concerted effort to eat clean & healthy, and keep active through running and yoga. This post is a little insight into both – with the help of my rescue pup, Ivy.
Because I have such a sensitive tummy, smoothies are usually a great way to go for breakfast. But drinking a smoothie every day can be a bit monotonous, so I like to punctuate my mornings with fruits or homemade granola to add some texture.
This particular smoothie features persimmon, one of my favorite seasonal fruits. Just a note about them – most grocery stores will either carry Hachiya or Fuyu persimmons. If they have Hachiyas, make sure they are soft and ripe, as the underripe version makes your mouth dry and chalky. Fuyus, on the other hand, can be eaten when they are still a little hard or soft. Perfectly ripe persimmons have a texture almost like a tomato, and a deliciously sweet and fruity taste. It pairs perfectly with the warmness of cinnamon, one of my favorite spices. And also, there’s the small fact that the words persimmon + cinnamon = persinnamon. Perfect!
Persimmon Smoothie + Cinnamon Granola
Ingredients
Persimmon Smoothie
- 2 Persimmons
- Juice from 3 Clementines
- 1 Frozen Banana
- Splash Almond Milk
- Squeeze Lemon Juice
Cinnamon Granola
- 2 Cups Rolled Oats
- 1/3 Cup Pepitas
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Flakes
- 1/4 Cup Hemp Seeds
- 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil melted
- Scant 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
Cinnamon Granola
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- In a bowl, combine oats, pepitas, coconut flakes, and hemp seeds.
- In another bowl, combine wet ingredients - melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients together fully.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake granola for 15 minutes, checking often to prevent burning.
Persimmon Smoothie
- Peel skin off persimmons. Add to blender with clementine juice, banana, almond milk, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
- Serve smoothie in a bowl topped with granola. Enjoy!
Song of the Day:
What the World Needs Now is Love – Jack Deshannon
18 Comments
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
December 28, 2015 at 5:10 pmI enjoy persimmons, but they must be a part of a whole recipe, not just eaten raw and alone (they leave this weird texture in you mouth and throat… I feel like I’m choking!)
Sarah
December 31, 2015 at 7:37 pmI know!! I remember the first time I had an underripe Hachiya persimmon I thought I was having an allergic reaction :|
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table
December 29, 2015 at 6:59 pmI just picked up a bunch of persimmons. I see this smoothie in my future! Though I have to say I’m new to (liking) persimmons and am never sure what kind each persimmon is…. How do you tell Hachiyas from Fuyus?
Sarah
December 31, 2015 at 7:36 pmHey Ksenia! Fuyus are squat and kind of look like tomatoes, and Hachiyas (the ones I used) have ends that come to a point!
Jayme | holly & flora
December 29, 2015 at 8:34 pmYour little Ivy is absolutely adorable! I’d stay motivated, if she were on my yoga mat each morning. ;-) This was the first year that I really came to enjoy persimmons. I picked up a few Fuyus and used them in a smoothie or two and also in a shrub. The shrub was superb with Mezcal! It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. We didn’t get to put up a tree or decorate the house with lights this year. Our jobs were a little too crazy and involved. I am hoping for a different and slower scenario next year. All the best in 2016 to you!!
Sarah
December 31, 2015 at 7:35 pmAww thank you Jayme!! She’s my little ray of sunshine :) Hope you have a wonderful 2016 as well!
Julia
December 30, 2015 at 7:36 amGaaah this looks soooo good! I love persimmons and haven’t had any yet this winter. I’m loving the combination of a refreshing thick persimmon smoothie with that supah tasty cinnamon granola…those pepitas? Perfection! Love this!
Sarah
December 31, 2015 at 7:34 pmThanks Julia!! :D
Amanda Paa
December 30, 2015 at 8:24 amHappy holidays, girl! It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. I would have loved to have seen that funny political calendar.
I ate my first persimmon a few weeks since they aren’t the easiest to get here in Minnesota, and wow – so sweet and delicious! I can see why they’d be perfect in a smoothie bowl. Beautiful photos, and happy new year! xo
Sarah
December 31, 2015 at 7:33 pmThank you so much Amanda, and happy new year to you as well!! :D
danielle is rooting the sun
December 30, 2015 at 7:37 pmsarah these photographs are so incredibly beautiful – i am enamored with the one of your feet and Ivy’s paws (she’s gorgeous!). wishing you a stellar new year – there are beautiful things afoot! ♥
Sarah
December 31, 2015 at 7:33 pmThank you Danielle! I hope you have a wonderful new year as well <3
The Vegan 8
December 31, 2015 at 8:56 amNow that is a beautiful, festive and citrusy granola! So perfect! I love the flavors you added!
Sarah
December 31, 2015 at 7:33 pmThanks Brandi!! :D
Ashley
January 11, 2016 at 6:23 pmAhhh! Persimmons are my absolute favorite. I just had a perfect one yesterday in fact. I am always thrilled to see recipes with them. This smoothie is gorgeous. Can’t wait to try!
Sarah
January 11, 2016 at 6:43 pmThank you Ashley!!
Marla
March 14, 2016 at 11:21 pmPersimmons are my absolute favorite fruit! Too bad they aren’t in season right now:) I actually made the granola (fabulous) and will save the smoothie recipe for later this year;) Thank you!
Sarah
March 15, 2016 at 7:53 amI’m so glad you liked it Marla!! Thanks for leaving a note <3