These are easily the best low carb smoothies I have ever made! Light, refreshing, and delicious, perfect for the dog days of summer. Plus enter to win a new blender from Red Raspberries. This post contains sponsored content.
My father feels that it is his inalienable right to spoil his grandkids as much as he is able in the small amount of time he gets to see them. And as much as I want my kids eating a low carb, healthy diet, I am not about to argue with the man. First of all, he’s rather formidable in debate and you may quickly regret your decision to tangle with him. Secondly, he is suffering from a very serious lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and I am not sure how long we have left with him. Not long, from all current indications. So that tends to render any potentially valid arguments null and void. Just give the man what he wants. If that means feeding my kids cookies and ice cream all day, I’m gonna let him do that. I just want to see him smile and play with them as long as he is able.
I don’t mean to sound flip and lighthearted about the situation. I am not. I am currently riding quite an emotional roller coaster, but I am not quite ready to write about the depth of my feelings. Perhaps I never will be.
However, we recently had our annual family pilgrimage to a cottage in Canada, where my children were indulged in every conceivable fashion by their loving grandparents. And by the time we arrived home, they were really feeling the averse effects of all the indulgence, each complaining of tummy troubles. In its way, it was a good little lesson for them, and they were eager to get back to some healthy eating. They wanted light meals and fresh flavours and I was happy to oblige. So we hit the smoothie train hard.
My kids adore smoothies and will guzzle them down. But let’s face it, not all smoothies are created equal and some can be as junkie and sugar-laden as a donut. So my aim was for a really healthy, light, low carb smoothie that tasted like summer in a glass. Like a glass of lemonade. Or a glass of raspberry lemonade. I love using frozen raspberries in my low carb smoothies. They add great nutrition, with plenty of vitamins, minerals and fiber. And the flash freezing process happens just hours after picking, so it locks in the nutrients that can be slowly lost in fresh berries. I also find using frozen raspberries helps thicken low carb smoothies without the addition of higher carb bananas.
Boy did I strike the right note with these raspberry lemonade smoothies. It was truly the best low carb smoothie I’ve ever made, so light and refreshing. I had trouble making it through the photo shoot without guzzling the whole pitcher. I was meant to be saving some for my kids when they returned from camp, but I kept sneaking sips the whole time. They were just the antidote my poor, over-indulged kids needed!
Disclosure: Many thanks to my friends at Red Raspberries for helping me bring you this delicious recipe.
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 3/4 cup frozen raspberries
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (or more coconut milk for dairy free)
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener more if you like it sweeter or sweetener of choice
- 1/4 cup collagen peptides
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cups ice
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In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
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Divide between 4 glasses.
pdxgirl says
I’m sorry about your Dad.
Matt says
My kids are obsessed with smoothies and would love these!
Sarah G says
Prayers for your dad!! So sorry. My dad has been having a real rough year too and it’s scary and sad. 🙁
We just started making lots of smoothies recently. That one looks so good. Thanks for the idea.
Jackie says
Carolyn, hugs to you and your dad. Enjoy every precious moment.
Thanks for this recipe! I’m making this tonight when I get home. Can’t wait! I’m salivating!
Tracy says
I know how you feel, Carolyn. My stepfather passed away April 1 of this year due to complications of diabetes including a lung issue similar to your father’s. I tried to enjoy as much time with him as I could in the last month’s never knowing when the time would come. Your father sounds like a wonderful man.
This recipe looks delish and my husband will love it. He LOVES raspberries and lemonade. A match made in heaven.
Nicole says
You are right, Grandpa should definitely be able to spoil the kiddos with cookies. There is always time for those smoothies later. And these smoothies do look good 🙂
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
You are wise about the grandfather/grandchildren interaction. Take advantage of whatever time you have left with him. You will not regret it.
Your smoothie looks absolutely wonderful!
Cecelia says
Thank you for you for your story. My husband does the same thing I have to remind him that Lucia is a Diabetic and has Celiac. So donuts are out and hugs and kisses are better.
You are in my prayers
TidyMom says
I love that your kids were ready to get back to healthy eating after indulging with grandparents! This smoothie is calling my name!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
What a smart idea to add cream cheese for creaminess!!
Sabrina Modelle says
Wow, these pics are so beautiful! I love that your kids were ready for healthy eating after your holiday. So great. I always feel the same way.
I also love raspberries in my smoothie- and anything with lemon is a win for me too! Can’t wait to give this one a whirl (see what I did there?)
Ruth says
How would this be without the cream cheese? I don’t need the extra calories.
Carolyn says
It was more for thickness than anything else. Yours would be thinner but that is all.
Ruth says
Thanks
Scarlette says
A great sub for cream cheese is cottage cheese – you will never taste it, but it makes my smoothies creamy and much like ice cream (especially with a bit of xantham him added). It also adds protein. Note: To be fair, i should say that I have been using smoothie/protein shake recipes from DashingDish.com for years.
Janice Polk says
I am so sorry about your dad. Cherish all the moments that you can. Where did you go to in Canada?
Carolyn says
Thank you. We were in Muskoka, a cottaging area on Ontario.
Wendy Schultz says
This sounds like it would also make a wonderful popsicle!
Carolyn says
Sure, why not?
Jessica says
I know this recipe has been posted for awhile but I made it today and omg it’s so good!! I am so glad I decided to make it! I’ve been eating low carb for close to a year now and this was one of the best refreshing things I’ve had.
Clare says
Am I going mad or have you changed this recipe? I swear the last time I made it it had cream cheese & yoghurt instead of coconut milk/cream/collegan! This version sounds good too though.
Carolyn says
I changed it. A little healthier and a little lower in carbs.