While learning more about what we eat and how we eat, we found out that chewing our smoothies (rather than just gulping them down) prompts our bodies to release pre-digestive enzymes. The chewing process begins breaking down food with enzymes in our saliva, making it easier for our intestines to absorb the nutrients.

We have come to enjoy adding chunks of fruit, seeds and sprouts to our smoothies, which forces us to slow down and really experience the flavors and textures.

The smoothie we made in the photograph includes frozen organic pineapple, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, two frozen organic bananas, one room temperature organic banana, a few slices of organic and fresh-out-of-the-garden beet, a splash of cranberry juice and some water. We put yummy sprouts on top and mixed them into the smoothie for the crunch.