The Tropical Paradise Smoothie

July is supposed to be summer already but the weather in L.A. is killing me!    For the last few weeks, the May grey and the June gloom is stretching out through July caused by those marine layer, and is stealing my warm summer.   However, the real summer has finally arrived, and I couldn’t be happier like iguana getting sunbathe! 

So, today I am making a cold non-alcoholic drink with its ability that can transport me to the tropical beach paradise somewhere in the world and imagine myself sitting on the white sand beach and let the warm wind touching my skin all day long.......  ~_~

You can think of this smoothie as a Pina Colada without alcohol (well, you can add alcohol if you think you need it more than I do!) and don’t be afraid of those coconut chunks.  They are there to make the drink more enjoyable while drinking it.   And if these combinations of the ripe mango, fresh pineapple, lime juice, and coconut won’t make you think of the tropical weather, I don’t know what will!   So, would you excuse me, my drink is getting warm!      

What you need:  for 2

1 ripe mango peeled and cut into small pieces

1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple cut into small pieces

250 ml pineapple juice

1 1/2 cup crushed ice

2 tbsp coconut flakes

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp lime juice

Some mango cubed and toasted coconut flakes for garnish – optional

- Blend the entire ingredients together until smooth and frothy

- serve immediately with the sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes and small dice of pineapple coated with the toasted coconut flakes, thin slice of lime and mint leaf for garnish

Enjoy!

^__^