Before we went on vacation, I had this fantasy of lounging poolside with a tropical cocktail in hand, reading a book. It just sounds like part of the classic tropical vacation, right?
The only part that actually happened was that I lounged poolside. Our first day to lounge by the pool, we picked up the poolside menu and I remembered that I actually don’t like cocktails. My 26 year old-self would be shocked to hear me say this. I haven’t had hard alcohol in over 3 years. I don’t like the way hard alcohol, mixed with sugary concoctions, makes me feel for the twenty-four hours after drinking it. On the very, very rare occasions that I actually do imbibe, it is just vegan wine for me. So I just drank water. Water, my book, and the pool. Except that I didn’t read my book. I cannot pleasurably read for any length of time without my reading glasses, and because my sunglasses took first priority in the hot sun, the book sunbathed right alongside me. It was absolutely perfect.
When I got home, I decided to recreate that fantasy, in a way, and make my kind of tropical drink- a healthy, green smoothie. I used frozen pineapple, but fresh would work as well, which made the whole smoothie very citrusy sweet. I added tahini because I felt it would pair better than peanut butter, and boy was I right! The tahini was less nutty added a sort of richness to it that peanut butter lacks and with collard greens as part of the base, it was super nutritious. So I got my tropical drink, some of my favorite reading material, and headed out to our front porch to lounge, my way.
TAHINI PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE
makes 1 large smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond milk (or other vegan milk)
- 1 frozen banana, peel removed
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple, chopped
- 2 cups of loosely packed collard greens, stems/ removed, leaves chopped (or greens of your choice)
- 1 T tahini
- 1 T flaxmeal
- ½ tsp powdered stevia
- 2 ice cubes
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to blender, and puree until smooth. Scrape sides as needed. When it’s done, there should be no little pieces of leaves floating around- it’s completely smooth. Enjoy!
What’s your favorite tropical drink?
All Photos taken by Kristy Turner
© Kristy Turner and Keepin’ It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin’ It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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Because of you and Shira I have my new smoothies for the week set!!! Delicious Kristy! I’ll have to dream about lounging poolside. Going to a water park today with the kids, where I will be chasing them to all ends of the earth through it
That smoothie might be a great stash-a-way though since all food on the premises is gross!
Oh my lord! I haven’t been to a water park in YEARS! Definitely pack a smoothie or two- you’ll need ‘em!
Isn’t Shira so great- I love her smoothie! Especially with the dates! I need to get on that!
i, too, do not engage in cocktails. or any alcohol at all. i much prefer water with lemon
it keeps me hydrated and my body happy.
i love the image of you poolside, with this drink in your hand. and GENIUS, i tell you, for adding the tahini! i love tahini, and use it mostly as a salad dressing base. but now i need to make a smoothie with it. not to mention, i’m now craving pineapple
Thanks, Caitlin! Who would’ve thought that tahini and citrus paired so well? Definitely give it a go!
This is the first year since Chris and I started dating that we’ve actually drank ore than once a year. We used to just have wine on New Years Eve, but for some reason, we’ve just been in the mood for it and declared 2012 the year we would drink (even though it’s only happened, like, 3 times).
Otherwise, water is pretty much all I drink too. 
ooh what an interesting combination! i bet it’s delicious! thanks for sharing!
No prob! Thanks for stopping by, Caralyn!
Wow, tahini in a smoothie? I would have never thought. I’m trying this tonight
I know, right?!?! Tahini and citrus are magical together!
tropical flavored smoothies are my favorite! i make a similar one, but have never tried tahini in it. guess i will have to test it out!
Me too! I hope you like it!
This smoothie is so beautiful! I love the flavour pairings and the colour is so lovely! This is getting bookmarked for next time I have pineapple
Loving the holiday-inspired recipes!
Thanks, Gabby! I hope you like it!
i have to try some tahini in my next smoothie! i am allergic to pineapple. so i’d add a loaf of mangoes(if i can get some good ripe ones) to mine!
Ooooh! A mango tahini smoothie would be awesome! Let me know how it goes!
Pure bliss this is! I always bring books with me on vacation but never end up reading them
My favorite tropical drink would be a mock pina colada. My 24 year old self would also be shocked that there is really no longer hard alchol on my life – vegan champagne and wine mainly and on rare occassions!
Thank you, Heather! I need to revisit pina coladas (the mock version) because I never cared for rum, but I think I could get on board with a rum-free version!
I’m making this tomorrow. That is all. You had me at tahini.
Haha! Awesome! I hope you like it, Gena!
Just made this and it’s so good Kristy! I made a couple changes- used chard, water and a little protein powder…I need to be adding tahini and pineapple to all my smoothies
Oh yay! This totally made my day- I love hearing about others trying my recipes. Awesome!
What a creative pairing of flavors! I may have put a bit more tahini than called for, just because I love it, but that pineapple flavor still came through and there was no taste of spinach, which was great because I was in the mood for a smoothie, not a salad.
Oh wow- I’m so happy that you liked it, Vienna! Thanks for letting me know too- It totally made my day!