In collaboration with Vita Coco.
Coconut oil is a fairly new addition to my kitchen pantry, and if I am to be honest, there’s now a little tub of it in the medicine chest in our bathroom too!
It’s such a versatile ingredient with a whole host of health benefits. It’s packed full of healthy saturated fats (our bodies need these to function properly), helps moisturise your skin from within (great for those of us with dry skin problems), helps maintain dental health (have you heard of oil pulling? Swish coconut oil around your mouth once a day to help remove bacteria and aid gum health) and studies have shown it may even assist with weight loss!
Coconut oil also contains medium-chain fatty acids which have been shown to help with building muscle and shedding body fat.
I like to add a tablespoonful of Vita Coco coconut oil in my post workout smoothies, like this blackcurrant and coconut smoothie recipe I originally created for their #SwearByIt website. I use frozen banana segments to add a bit of delicious creaminess (and some much needed potassium), but feel free to use a small banana and a few ice cubes instead.
In fact, feel free to use a handful of whatever fruit is in season, for flavouring. I chose blackcurrants for this recipe because when I originally made it back in the late summer, the blackcurrant bushes in Shetland were heaving with fruits. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries or blackberries would also work really well, depending on the time of year.
Don’t just take my word for it though, if you’ve never tried coconut oil before and you fancy giving it a go Vita Coco is offering free samples to try. Simply pop on over to their website and request one!
What do you like putting in your post workout smoothies? Let me know in the comments!
Blackcurrant & Coconut Post-Workout Smoothie
Ingredients
- 150 ml coconut milk
- 75 grams coconut yogurt
- 100 grams frozen banana segments (or one small banana + a few ice cubes)
- 80 grams blackcurrants
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp honey or agave or fruit syrup
- coconut shavings to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass, decorate with coconut shavings, if using, and drink immediately.
OTHER POST-WORKOUT SMOOTHIES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Turmeric & Coconut Smoothie by Celery & Cupcakes
Banana Nut Protein Smoothie by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
If you’re looking for another way of using up a glut of blackcurrants, why not try making cassis, and then turning it into a grown-up drink like Jane’s Kir Royale Prosecco!
This is a commissioned recipe which originally appeared on the #SwearByIt website. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories. For more tips, tricks and recipe inspiration using Vita Coco Coconut Oil, you can head to www.swearbyit.com to find out more.
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Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
munchies and munchkins says
Love this idea, would never have thought to add it to smoothies but I do love it. I use it as a lip balm quite a lot too.
Margot says
I’m very intrigued by this recipe. Never thought of adding coconut oil to the smoothie, it sounds delicious!!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
This sounds delicious and I know what you mean about the coconut oil – I seem to be using it in everything lately! So good for chapped lips.
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed says
This looks so lush! I LOVE coconut oil and all things coconut.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
That looks amazing. I don’t know why I’ve never added blackcurrants to smoothies before. How odd! I definitely will now. Nice idea re the coconut too.
Riz says
I grew up HATING coconut. But something’s changed over the last couple of years, and coconut oil is one of my favourite things to reach for the in kitchen! This smoothie recipe looks delicious, wish I’d seen it before my workout today… (ah, well. There’s always tomorrow!)
Debi at Life Currents says
This looks like the perfect way to recover after a tough workout. I love all the flavors you have going on here! We’ve been walking up to 5 miles every morning, and some mornings are really hot! This will help!
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes says
Oh yum! This looks dessert 🙂 I am a sucker for anything coconut!
Sarah says
I love seeing a coconut smoothie that uses something other than coconut water! Can’t stand the stuff! Coconut oil sounds super intriguing. Can’t wait to try this out!
Aish Padihari says
I’m a big coconut water fan. I’m glad that you used coconut in your smoothies. Not only healthy but also yum.
Amanda says
This is almost to pretty to drink! I love smoothies. I’ll give this a try.
Amanda says
This is beautiful…almost to pretty to drink. 🙂 Black currants are not readily available here, so I’d have to substitute another berry.
Lisa @garlicandzest.com says
I have two jars of coconut oil in my pantry, but would never have thought to add it to a smoothie. I tend to look at ingredients as ways to add flavor to what I’m cooking, instead of purely nutritional value. Does the coconut oil change the consistency?
Ivanna | Provocative Joy says
I drink smoothies to get my fruit intake and I love adding coconut oil. It makes it a bit creamier. This looks absolutely delicious!
Camilla says
What an awesome and pretty smoothie which I would love at any time of day:-)
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
I love adding coconut oil to my smoothies to make them more satisfying. This one has such a lovely colour.
Sheri @ A Busy Bees Life says
Love finding new recipes and delicious things to try out. I do not love coconut so much but this looks amazing and delish!
NOM NOM Boris says
This sounds super yumy! I make post workout smoothies every day and this would make a great addition. I bet even better by adding some protean 🙂 aww I was sad to see they didn’t ship samples outside of UK :'(
Isabella says
Love finding new smoothie recipe ideas, this one looks so delicious! Something bright and delicious to look forward to after a jog!
Platter Talk says
Black currents in a smoothie! Sounds elegant. This a a good recipe to try, thanks!
Luci says
Oddly enough for all the smoothies i make, i never thought to add coconut oil before. I don’t really like the texture/taste of oily things, can you notice it in this? But LOVE the flavour combo! Such a fave in our house, blackcurrant and coconut!
Elizabeth says
You can’t notice the oil, no. It’s quite a palatable smoothie 🙂
Just Jo says
I’m always on the look out for new smoothies ideas and this looks great! Full of goodness 🙂
Anca says
It looks great and it’s very healthy too. I have some coconut oil, but I didn’t think of adding it to smoothies, I will try it these days.
Sarah (Mum x3x) says
I love smoothies and this one sounds amazing! I think I’d use blackcurrants too, may add a few blueberries in, too! I love blueberries, they seem to be my go to fruit for smoothies at the moment! Yum. xx