Vibrant Coquito Smoothie

In Puerto Rico, Christmas usually starts for most families early November, and ends around mid-February. Yes, we have been told that we have one of the longest holidays of the world. We do enjoy this season because it’s the time when family comes together, and food is always the main attraction at parties. However, most of the original dishes and recipes contain ingredients and food groups that are not necessarily healthy, and sometimes there is a tendency of overeating during the holidays. Fortunately, there are alternatives to stay healthy, without compromising our taste and culture. As a Naturopathic physician, I always encourage my patients to start exploring healthier alternatives to original ingredients in their favorite recipes. These simple changes encourage everyone to get creative, and even embrace more of their culture, while continuing a healthy lifestyle.

Christmas with a Twist

My vibrant coquito smoothie is a healthy and holistic twist to a traditional holiday drink from my homeland, Puerto Rico. Coquito is known as the “Puertorrican eggnog,” and is originally made with canned coconut and condensed milks as the base. But in my recipe, all the ingredients are organic, energizing and nourishing for everyone to stay healthy during this season festivities.

Here is a little taste of Christmas in Puerto Rico

(1 serving)

1 cup of cold unsweetened coconut milk
1/3 cup of coconut water
1 frozen ripe banana
1 teaspoon of maca powder
1 teaspoon of chia seeds
1 teaspoon of coconut oil
2 tablespoons (1/2 of scoop) of vanilla plant-based protein
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/3 teaspoon of vanilla

Instructions:

Put all the ingredients together in a blender. Serve, garnish with cinnamon on top & enjoy!
For adults, and responsible drinkers: add 1 shot of rum (optional)

¡Salud & feliz navidad!

Dr. Maria Del Mar Rodriguez ND

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Dr. Maria Del Mar Rodriguez is a licensed Naturopathic physician and a proud member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) and the Puerto Rico Association of Naturopathic Physicians (PRANP). Her commitment and passion is to motivate individuals and communities globally to be conscious of their health through personalized, compassionate and integrative care. She graduated from the accredited medical school, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona, after completing her Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico. She has broad experience in public health and clinical research, and combines modern science and naturopathic modalities, considering the person as a whole and unique individual, understanding underlying causes of disease. She has offered naturopathic medical care to diverse, including underserved families, in Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Puerto Rico.