Today's blog is going to be short & sweet... literally!
I'm writing below my favorite smoothie recipe that includes dates. If you don't know, dates have been research-proven to help ripen your cervix and help you have a shorter labor. Want to read more about this? Click here!
I'm not a food blogger, so I'm not going to tell you a long story about how date smoothies remind me of my childhood dog or anything like that (IYKYK). We are going to get straight to the point & the recipe.
It's recommended you consume 3-4 large dates per day to see the best results. The smoothie recipe below includes 3 dates, but you can certainly add more. You can also add less and consume dates on their own or inside of a bar (Here's a link to a homemade Larabar recipe that I've made - they're good!). It's up to you!
This recipe is also very forgiving - you can add whatever fruit & liquid you want! Like it thicker? Add more ice cubes or less milk. Like it thinner? Add more milk. Easy Peasy.
I also added some protein powder in my recipe because I'm always looking for ways to increase my protein intake, especially while pregnant. Click here to see what protein supplements I like best.
Cervix-Ripening Smoothie
1 Serving
Ingredients:
3-4 Medjool dates (other types of dates work fine, too)
1 Banana (any other fruit is fine, too)
1 cup plant-based milk (regular milk is fine, too)
1 scoop protein powder of choice
4-5 ice cubes
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Add all ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend on high for a minute, scraping down the sides as needed, until it's fully blended.
Pour into a large cup & enjoy!
For best results, begin your consumption of dates by 36-37 weeks pregnant, and eat them daily.