This week I was sent a box of exotic fruits to try out from Melissa’s Produce. Started by a husband-wife team, this Los Angeles-based company offers amazing produce and their exotic fruits do not disappoint. They provide fruit and vegetables from all parts of the world. In fact, their catch phrase is “delivering the global market”. I am always amazed at the quality and unique items they carry and is currently the largest distributor of specialty produce in the United States. Have you tried dragon fruit yet? It has recently become my teen’s favorite fruit to experiment with and she has been trying out different smoothie recipes all month! They make a great breakfast on-the-go or she likes to make one at night after dinner. The dragon fruit is rich in antioxidants and the color is so gorgeous. It will bring a some fun to any dish you make. Dragon fruit is low in calories but packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It also contains a substantial amount of dietary fiber. Here’s a rundown of the main nutrients in a one-cup serving (227 grams): Calories: 136 Protein: 3 grams Fat: 0 grams Carbohydrates: 29 grams Fiber: 7 grams Iron: 8% of the RDI Magnesium: 18% of the RDI Vitamin C: 9% of the RDI Vitamin E: 4% of the RDI Beyond essential nutrients, dragon fruit supplies beneficial plant compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids and betacyanins (Source: Healthline.com). With Halloween just around the corner, this smoothie recipe is the perfect “Halloween” treat! The kids will love it and you’ll be assured they are enjoying a healthy treat. You can add some quality whey protein (I like Nutrient Research whey protein) if you would like it to be even more nutrient dense. You will need: INGREDIENTS ~ 1 1/2 cup dragon fruit, cubed and frozen ~ 2 bananas, cut into quarters and frozen ~ few slices of an orange, sliced and frozen ~ 3/4 cup almond milk or you can use coconut milk instead. ~ 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice ~ 1/2 scoop whey protein powder – optional ~ 2-5 ice cubes depending on how thick and creamy you like it. INSTRUCTIONS Add frozen fruit, milk, lime juice and protein powder to a blender, and blend until smooth Add more almond milk if desired. Place in a glass, add a paper straw, decorate with some Halloween decor and the kids will love their “Frankenstein Smoothie!” Other exotic fruit to try out this season from Melissa’s Produce include: Lychee Blood Oranges Dragon Fruit Horned Melon Pomegranate Cherimoya Passion Fruit Which is your favorite? As you can probably guess we are loving the dragon fruit this season!