Kiwi Smoothie Recipe - Post Holiday Detox

Holidays over, time to detox!

The fact that you are here could mean two things - either you L-O-V-E smoothies and/or you are here because you want to detox after the holidays!

After a plethora of sugar and fat-laden foods that we all have eaten, it would be a great idea to try and eliminate them from our system at the earliest. 

You also probably want to shed all those extra pounds you (may) have gained during the holidays. Let me tell you, you are not alone. We all are in this together.

2020 has been difficult for all of us and the pandemic was a good enough reason to binge on all the yummy food during the holidays or while we stayed home.

So don't feel guilty now. What is done is done. What comes now is the not-so-fun part - shedding those extra pounds or simply just cleansing your body for good. 

Fun fact - Did you know the month of January always witnesses the highest number of gym sign-ups??? But then the same enthusiasm seems to die down as the year goes by. 

Detoxing need not be boring!

I love creating detox drink recipes!  Be it Cucumber Lemonade or Berries Detox Drink, I don't find juice cleanse recipes boring at all!

In fact, I happily indulge in them whenever I have had a heavy week in terms of eating. Here are some ways to detox after the holidays:

• Include Probiotic foods like yogurt and kefir in your diet to increase the number of good bacteria, which help in fighting harmful bacteria, thus maintaining optimal gut health.
• Sleep well and get into a routine of exercise
• Reduce consumption of artificial sugar. Eat natural sugars like honey, maple syrup, jaggery, berries, etc. instead
• Eat light and right, drink lots of water, and avoid processed foods. Eat homecooked food. 
• Try to drink a healthy detox drink at least once a day. They will help in getting rid of the effects of holiday food by aiding weight loss and improving digestion.

But remember, detoxing doesn't mean deprivation. Your meals should include protein, fat, and fiber in the right amounts in order to stay full and keep your energy up all day long.

Why kiwis?

Kiwis are great for detox and juice cleanse diet. Kiwis, also known as Chinese gooseberries, are high in dietary fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidant power.

Their high fiber and low-calorie content make them ideal for weight loss. The edible acid present in kiwi fruit burns fat faster than any other alternative food item. 

It also helps with water retention. They are also known to be a powerhouse of vitamin C which is considered to be an excellent belly fat burner.

Kiwi is great for the skin too. In fact, they are so good that you can eat 1-3 kiwis a day to reap all its benefits! They are considered a superfood! 

Why make this smoothie

I like to start my day with a morning detox drink. It keeps me hydrated and satiated. In fact, just today I started my day with Mango Spinach Smoothie.

Besides it being extremely delicious to taste, here are some reasons why you should give this kiwi juice cleanse recipe a try.

• It comes together in just 10 minutes
• Naturally dairy-free
• 4 ingredients are all it needs
• can be consumed at any time of the day
• Belly-fat burner drink
• Great way to sneak in these fruits
• The perfect smoothie for beginners

Having this morning detox drink will surely keep you in good shape! Try this juice cleanse recipe today! 

Ingredients needed

Kiwi - I have used fresh ripe kiwi here. But you can use frozen ones as well. Read the tips section below on how to freeze them. 

They bring in the sweet and tart flavor to this drink. 

Citrus fruits tend to go well with kiwi, so I have used oranges and lemon here.

Cucumber is filled with healthy digestive enzymes, which help in digestion and keeps you hydrated.

Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Plus, it's a great way to add more fiber and protein to the diet.

Here's how to make it

The recipe to make a kiwi juice cleanse or smoothie is very easy. You will find many recipes online with banana, my recipe is without it. 

1. In a blender
   add chilled water, followed by chunks of cucumber. I have peeled it before chopping.
2. Then add chia seeds
   and cut kiwi. You can also add soaked chia seeds. 
3. Next, add the orange wedges. Blend until smooth. Feel free to more ice or liquid to reach your desired consistency.

Serving Suggestions

You can choose to strain it if needed. I don't. Pour this Kiwi Detox Smoothie immediately in these glasses and serve. It pairs well with cereal. 

Serve them as a morning detox drink or you can sip on this kiwi juice any time of the day. It is also great after a workout, or even for a meal when your body just needs to reset.

If you are in the mood for an elaborate breakfast spread, serve this drink along with some Lentil Spinach Crepes, Bagel Guacamole Sandwich, or Steamed Idlis.

So whether you have just got back from a trip, or just finished celebrating Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years, and want to start with something light, then this Kiwi juice is for you!

Top tips, recommendations, and suggestions

Instead of regular chilled water, you can also ice cubes or use unsweetened coconut water for more flavor.

There is no need to add sugar, but if you need to then add honey or maple syrup.

You need not peel the skin of kiwi. You can totally eat it with the skin. They are rich in antioxidants. Even the seeds and the core are edible. 

Frozen kiwis can be used in smoothies. I would not use them in recipes where it needs to hold its shape, as they tend to go mushy when thawed.

Try mixing up some pear, mint, spinach, pineapple, ginger, lemon juice, celery in this morning detox drink just to get some new flavors. 

To give it a protein boost, add some seeds or nuts or nut butter. 

Can you make this smoothie in advance?

While it is not preferred, you can make this kiwi juice in advance and store it in the fridge for 1-2 days. But its best consumed fresh. 

But you can surely prep for it in advance. Make day-wise bags of chopped ingredients ready to go and in the freezer.

That way you just have to take them out and toss them in the blender. It's that easy! 

How to check if a kiwi is ripe?

Press down on it with your thumb.  It is ripe if it yields to slight pressure. The ripe kiwi will be plump and fragrant.

How to peel the kiwi the right way?

You can either scoop out the insides after cutting it in half like we do with avocado or peel the skin off using a peeler. 

How to freeze kiwi for smoothies?

Peel, and slice the kiwi. Then lay on a lined cookie sheet and freeze. Once they are frozen, transfer them to Ziptop bags for storage. 

Some smoothie recipes

• The Ultimate Immune Boosting Sunshine Smoothie
• Green Mango Spinach Yogurt Smoothie
• Dairy-Free Blueberry Pancake Smoothie
• Vegan Mango Avocado Smoothie
• Indian Watermelon Cooler
• Organic Energy Drink

Recipe 📖