So much better than store-bought: learn how to make an antioxidant-rich pineapple-passion fruit refresher with cold-pressed juice to help you beat the winter blues.

The SAD Truth about the Winter Blues

Suffering from the winter blues? If you are, you’re not alone. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects 10 million Americans per year, with four times as many women as men seeking treatment. SAD is most often known as the depression, general sluggishness, decrease in motivation, and increased appetite that is associated with the cooler months of fall and winter.

A diet rich in raw foods is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. We know that daily nutrition makes a big impact on a person’s overall well-being, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. At PURE, we are committed to helping people get healthy from the inside out, and there’s nothing like a good test kitchen to flex our creative muscles.

Throw Out Those Antioxidant Supplements

Thus, we bring you one of our absolute favorite recipes: the Frozen Pineapple-Passion Fruit Freshie.

You’re probably thinking: why would I choose to drink a frozen beverage in the winter? Great question. The answer lies not only in the antioxidant-rich foods used in this recipe, but also the incredible mind-body connection that is available to us all when we allow ourselves to use a little imagination.

Do Antioxidants Affect Mood?

We all know we need to incorporate antioxidant-rich foods into our diet, but may not have a firm grasp on what antioxidants can do for the body.

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells against free radicals, which are molecules produced when the body breaks down food or when a person is exposed to toxic substances like tobacco smoke or radiation. Because antioxidants prevent oxidant damage to cells, they enable the body to reduce risk factors for chronic disease. Research suggests antioxidants protect us from premature aging, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Emerging research has also shown a link between antioxidant intake and the reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms. Yes, please!

Tropical Vacation in a Glass

PURE Juicer Headquarters is located in Seattle. While it doesn’t rain here as much as you may have heard, it is cold, gray, and gloomy much of the year, particularly in the winter months. Many Seattleites own light boxes to counteract the (very real) negative effects this weather can have on our moods, and it’s perhaps just as common to hear of long-anticipated tropical getaways in February.

Seattle is known for its gloom but also for its coffee shops, and some of us on the PURE team like to visit a certain well-known store (in all seasons, yes–even when there is arguably better-tasting coffee elsewhere). If there’s one thing Starbucks does well, it’s to create both stores and recipes that elicit an emotional response.

Their icy, antioxidant rich Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage is no exception: sipping one of these makes a girl feel like she’s reclining on a beach chair, relishing in a warm breeze coming in off the ocean. Winter blues, be gone–we’re going on vacation in our minds!

Yet as much as we appreciate the power of mind-body connectivity, the team at PURE wanted to come up with a recipe that would create a similar sensory experience without all the excess sugar (and money–those things are pricey). No point in improving one’s mood, only to end up with a sugar crash.

Mood-Boosting, Antioxidant-Rich Pineapple Passion Fruit Freshie

In our test kitchen, we came up with a recipe that will tingle your taste buds while protecting your blood-sugar level and your wallet. Our Pineapple Passion Fruit Freshie is made with raw fruits (pineapple, passion fruit, lemons, strawberries, and raspberries – each of them quite high in antioxidants), filtered water, ice, and natural sweeteners (honey or maple syrup) to taste.

We’ve Got a Passion for Passion Fruit

Truth be told, we’re passionate about all the fruits included in this recipe, but this time passion fruit nudges past even pineapple for the top of the list. Passion fruit contains high levels of vitamin A, which is important for the immune system, skin, and eye health;  and vitamin C, which is an important antioxidant.

Passion fruit is a great source of fiber, and is rich in the beneficial plant compounds carotenoids and polyphenols. One study found that passion fruit surpassed other tropical fruits–banana, lychee, mango, papaya, and pineapple–in the amount of polyphenols it contains.

Additionally, passion fruit offers a small amount of iron. Our bodies don’t normally absorb iron from plants very well, but because passion fruit is such a great source of vitamin C, the iron can be absorbed fairly easily.

Antioxidant-Rich Pineapple Passion Fruit Freshie Recipe

Step Two: PURE Lemonade

Ingredients

• 1-2 lemons
• 4 cups filtered water
• Honey or maple syrup to taste

Yield: 40 ounces of lemonade

Directions

1. Cut lemons into a fan shape.
2. Place 2 to 3 lemons in the center of your liner (no more than 1.5 cups).
3. Wrap liner in a cloth (or place inside a PURE bag).
4. Press.
5. Fold and press another one to two times to get all the juice out.
6. Mix one cup of lemon juice with 4 cups of filtered water.
7. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup to taste.

Pro Tip: for Charcoal Lemonade, prepare the recipe as listed above, and then stir in  2 capsules of activated charcoal to the pitcher of lemonade.

Try out our flavored lemonade recipes

Step 5: Blend it, Pour, and Garnish

1. In a blender, add pineapple-passion fruit juice, lemonade, and ice. Blend until smooth.
2. Line the rim of a glass with raspberry juice.
3. Pour blended ingredients into the glass.
4. Top the blended mixture with strawberry juice.
5. If you’re feeling extra fancy, top it all off with a little dollop of whipped cream!
6. Add a straw and a flower and your drink is served.

Pro Tip: Save your homemade juices in the freezer and make your next fancy drink in less time.Just drop them into a blender with extra ice and they will be ready.

Health Benefits

pineapple: delicious and packed with antioxidants, pineapples are known for their anti-inflammatory properties that can aid in a healthy immune system. Pineapples are a  rich source of Vitamin C, manganese, and the compound bromelain, a group of digestive enzymes that may help break down protein and aid with digestion and could help fight against cancer.

passion fruit: rich in antioxidants and low on calories, passion fruit is also a great source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, and beneficial plant compounds, including carotenoids and polyphenols.

lemon: high in vitamin C and citric acid, lemons aid in iron absorption and could possibly prevent kidney stones. Several plant compounds found in lemons may lower cholesterol.

strawberries: made up of 90% water, strawberries are not only hydrating but also a great source of vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium. They’re rich in antioxidants and plant compounds that can be beneficial to blood sugar control and heart health.

raspberries: vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber – these little berries have it all. Raspberries are a rich source of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure and overall improve heart health, and omega-3 fatty acids that can help prevent risk of stroke.

honey: primarily composed of natural sugar, honey is rich in antioxidants, including phenolic acid and flavonoids, health-promoting plant compounds known as polyphenols, and contains trace amounts of several important vitamins and minerals. Honey has been linked to improved heart health, including reduced blood pressure and blood fat levels, and is more effective for blood sugar management than refined sugar.

maple syrup: made from the sap of eastern maple trees, maple syrup (distinct from maple-flavored pancake toppings made with high-fructose corn syrup) is known as a healthy substitute for refined sugar. High in antioxidants and minerals like zinc and manganese, maple syrup, though best eaten in moderation, packs a much better nutritional punch than refined sugar.

Sources

Passion Fruit 101 – Everything You Need to Know

Pineapple: 8 Impressive Health Benefits

6 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Lemons

Strawberries 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Health Benefits of Raspberries

7 Unique Health Benefits of Honey

Maple Syrup: Healthy or Unhealthy?

Passion Fruit 101 – Everything You Need to Know

Eating to Lift Your Winter Blues

Looking for more ideas?

Head to our Instagram or YouTube channel for demos. If you don’t see what you are looking for, add a request to the comments, and we will do what we can to make it for you.

Medical Disclaimer

PURE Juicer is a juicing company. We are not doctors or medical experts. All content and information on this blog and website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any patient-client relationship by using this website.

Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice. You should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your area for your health questions and concerns before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.