

While smoothies are definitely the kind of thing that you can — and I personally think that you should — consume year-round, there really is something about a cold homemade smoothie on a hot summer's day that is refreshing as all get out. Not to mention that they come with all sorts of benefits like they can help to prevent dehydration, curb food cravings and, if you make them from scratch, they are better for you than juice because you're getting more nutrients since you're consuming its pulp. Not to mention the fact that smoothies are mad convenient if you're looking for a filling snack when you're on the go.
Today, I'm going to share 10 smoothie recipes. All of these feature fruits that are ripe during the summer season. As a bonus, they are also fruits that can help you with very special health issues or concerns that you may have. By the way, it should go on record that the cool thing about smoothies is you can go the dairy or milk alternative route or not. Sometimes I like mine to be thick like a shake and so I'll add some Greek yogurt. Other times, fruit, honey, and crushed ice is all that I want.
No matter how you decide to customize your own smoothie, hopefully, these will inspire you to go to the store, pick up some fresh fruit and treat yourself ASAP. Because y'all, a smoothie in the summertime is always worth it.
1. A HYDRATER: Sunrise Apricot Strawberry Smoothie
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Another name for apricots is Armenian plums which may explain their tiny size. While they may be small, apricots contain their fair share of nutrients including fiber, protein and vitamins A, C, and E. Other reasons why they're so good for you is they are helpful when it comes to keeping you regular and protecting your skin from free radicals. Since apricots also contain a good amount of water (like most fruits do), they're a hydrating treat. As far as strawberries go, they also are full of fiber, along with Vitamin C, folate, potassium and antioxidants. They also have plant compounds in them like ellagitannins and ellagic acid which can help to keep bacteria at bay. Oh, and since the particular recipe that I've included calls for honey too, you can also feel good about getting your "sweet tooth fix" in since honey is proven to be healthier for you than sugar (by a country mile, chile).
Get the recipe here: Sunrise Apricot Strawberry Smoothie
2. A SKIN TREATMENT: Tropical Mango Smoothie
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Hands down, mangoes are personally one of my favorite fruits. I like their sweetness, their texture — pretty much everything. Good thing too because they've got just about every B vitamin that you could think of, along with fiber, copper, vitamins A and C and folate. Mangoes are super good for you because they are filled with polyphenols (plant compounds that serve as antioxidants). That's good to know because polyphenols can slow down the signs of aging. The fiber in them can assist with digestive health and, since Vitamin C helps our body to produce collagen, mangoes can be a smart way to help your skin (and hair) to thrive as well.
Get the recipe here: Tropical Mango Smoothie
3. A NATURAL ESTROGEN ADDITION: Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
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I don't know about y'all but, to me, a bowl of fresh cherries while sitting outside at sunset is something that I'm pretty much always down for.
The people I know who are either going through menopause or are post-menopausal, I will oftentimes recommend that they snack on some cherries. Since they're in season during the summertime, they can really help with hot flashes on a whole 'nother level because they contain phytoestrogens (which is basically a plant form of estrogen).
Cherries are also a good source of fiber, protein and Vitamin C. They've also got a good amount of anti-inflammatory properties, which makes them great to snack on if you're looking to decrease muscular discomfort after a hard workout. As far as the raw cacao powder that this particular recipe calls for, the flavonoids in it can help to lower your blood pressure and risk for high cholesterol levels. Plus, this recipe includes protein powder which is a delightful way to get more protein into your system; especially if you are a vegetarian or vegan.
Get the recipe here: Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
4. AN ORAL HEALTH SURPRISE: Blackberry Banana Bliss Smoothie
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Blackberries are awesome because they too are full of fiber and Vitamin C (a lot of fruits are). Since they also have Vitamin K and manganese in them, you can trust that blackberries are the kind of fruit that will support strong bones and strengthen your immunity. What a lot of people don't know about blackberries is they're also a fruit that contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that fight off the kind of bacteria that leads to oral decay. When you add bananas to this already amazing fruit, you can get even more fiber as well as potassium, manganese, copper, fiber, protein and vitamins B6 and C. All of these nutrients work together to lower your blood sugar levels, strengthen your heart, reduce muscle cramps, improve digestive health and even aid in weight loss.
Get the recipe here: Blackberry Banana Bliss Smoothie
5. A BRAIN BOOSTER: Raspberry Lime Smoothie
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While we're on the topic of berries, let's touch on raspberries for just a moment. To tell you the truth, it's kinda hard to find another fruit that has as much fiber in it as they do. Raspberries are also a good source of protein, vitamins C and K, manganese, antioxidants, and they also have vitamins B and E, iron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus in them (crazy, right?). If you're looking for the kind of fruit that will slow down the production of cancer cells, raspberries have got your back. And, because they also contain anti-inflammatory properties, some health professionals say that raspberries can make arthritis much easier to deal with.
What I personally find to be dope is they are one of the fruits that can help to reduce oxidative stress. This is a bonus because that is the type of stress that ultimately leads to cognitive dysfunction. Add some limes into the mix and the amount of Vitamin C and antioxidants that are in them is pretty much off the charts! Also, since both help to increase immunity and the production of collagen while also helping to detoxify your system, why wouldn't you try a raspberry lime smoothie before the summer season ends?
Get the recipe here: Raspberry Lime Smoothie
6. A HEART AND KIDNEY HEALTH DELIGHT: Triple Melon Smoothie
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It makes perfect sense that melons like cantaloupe and honeydew would be in season during the summer months when you stop to think about how light and refreshing both of them are. Cantaloupe's got vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, fiber and antioxidants. Honeydew contains fiber, protein, Vitamin C and potassium. Due to the high water content of both melons, they are super hydrating. The Vitamin C in both will help to fight off free radicals. And since both fruits are a good source of potassium, you can trust that every time you make a fresh triple melon smoothie (the third melon is watermelon and we already covered that), you'll be doing your part to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes as well as prevent kidney stones.
Get the recipe here: Triple Melon Smoothie
7. A WEIGHT LOSS SNACK: Honey Plum Smoothie
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I'm pretty sure that most of us know that prunes are nothing more than dried plums. Since a lot of us eat those in order to "stay regular", it's a given that plums are high in fiber. They also contain a fair amount of vitamins A, C, K, antioxidants and potassium. Because plums are low in calories and a good source of fiber, and staying regular can help to deplete your body of toxins that may be stored in your gut, that's what makes this particular smoothie good for weight loss (if you drink them in moderation because plums also contain a quite a bit of natural sugar [i.e., fructose]).
They're also cool because they can help to stabilize your blood sugar levels, promote bone health, lower your blood pressure and destroy the cells that can lead to breast cancer. Yep. Plums are certainly all that. Honey? It always does a body good because it's rich in antioxidants, can improve your cholesterol levels and, since it also has anti-inflammatory properties in it, honey can help to prevent you from getting heart disease or an autoimmune disorder up the road.
Get the recipe here: Honey Plum Smoothie
8. AN APHRODISIAC: Rosé & Watermelon Smoothie
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Watermelon on a hot summer's day? There's not too much that tops it. The reason why it made the smoothie list is, honestly, watermelon deserves an article of its own when it comes to all of the health benefits that it provides. Watermelon is made up of over 90 percent water, which makes it an ultimate way to hydrate yourself. It has a good supply of vitamins A and C. It's got a plant compound in it called Cucurbitacin E which contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. All of this works together to help to keep your heart strong, bodily inflammation down and muscle soreness from bothering you too much.
What I really like about watermelon is it's also considered to be a natural aphrodisiac. The lycopene (a type of carotenoid) in it is great when it comes to maintaining prostate health. Also, since watermelon contains the amino acid called citrulline and it is good at relaxing blood vessels, including in the genitalia region, this fruit is nicknamed "natural Viagra" because it is able to help to intensify orgasms.
And y'all, the good feelings will only increase with the help of some Rosè red wine and sprigs of mint (which are both in this smoothie recipe) since wine is an aphrodisiac and mint helps your breath to smell nice and fresh.
Get the recipe here: Rosé & Watermelon Smoothie
9. AN ALLERGY RELIEVER: Peach Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie
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It's my personal opinion that a peach or blueberry-flavored anything is pretty close to being divine. The fact that both of them are uber healthy is literally the icing on the cake. Peaches are good for you because they have protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, K and some potassium in them. Plus, they're known for protecting your skin from damaging UV rays, boosting your immunity and also decreasing toxin levels in your system. However, what I truly dig about peaches is they can help to provide relief of allergy-related symptoms. That's because they contain properties that help to block the production of histamines which trigger things like sneezing and itchiness.
Blueberries are cool because they are an impressive source of vitamins C, K and manganese. They've got quite a bit of fiber in them too. Consuming these berries on a consistent basis can reduce DNA damage to your cells, help to lower your blood pressure and even help to fight and prevent urinary tract infections. Plus, since this particular recipe calls for oats, you'll be sure to get even more fiber, along with an unbelievable amount of manganese and a good amount of phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc; this is really great since introducing oats to children at a young age can decrease their chances for developing asthma as they age.
Get the recipe here: Peach Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie
10. AN AMENIA PREVENTER: Boozy Frozen Lemonade
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Although lemons and limes are technically considered to be in season year-round, maybe it's just me, but they seem to be bigger during the summer months. Anyway, let's close this smoothie shout-out piece with a lemon smoothie that is sure to be a good time, thanks to the 2/3 cups of vodka that's in the recipe (for the record, vodka is able to increase blood circulation, lower cholesterol levels and reduce stress levels). Lemons are good for you because they're a great source of Vitamin C, they aid in the digestive process and, because they make it easier for your body to absorb the iron that comes from other foods that you eat, that makes this fruit something that can help to keep you from being anemic as well. So, if you're like me and you happen to like the taste of sour things, a boozy frozen lemonade could be the perfect way to end a hot summer's day. Enjoy!
Get the recipe here: Boozy Frozen Lemonade
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It's kinda wild that, in 2025, my byline will have appeared on this platform for (what?!) seven years. And yeah, when I'm not waxing poetic on here about sex, relationships and then...more sex and relationships, I am working as a certified marriage life coach, helping to birth babies (as a doula) or penning for other places (oftentimes under pen names).
As some of you know, something that I've been "threatening" to do for a few years now is write another book. Welp, October 2024 was the month that I "gave birth" to my third one: 'Inside of Me 2.0: My Story. With a 20-Year Lens'. It's fitting considering I hit a milestone during the same year.
Beyond that, Pumas and lip gloss are still my faves along with sweatshirts and tees that have a pro-Black message on them. I've also started really getting into big ass unique handbags and I'm always gonna have a signature scent that ain't nobody's business but my own.
As far as where to find me, I continue to be MIA on the social media front and I honestly don't know if that will ever change. Still, if you need to hit me up about something *that has nothing to do with pitching on the site (I'm gonna start ignoring those emails because...boundaries)*, hit me up at missnosipho@gmail.com. I'll do what I can. ;)
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Relationship Timeline
Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe are one of our favorite Hollywood couples. We can't get over their adorable moments together on the red carpet and on social media. While they're both from St. Louis, they didn't meet until college, which they both attended Stanford. And the rest is as they say, history. Read below as we dive into their decades-long relationship.
Mid to Late1990s: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Meet
Sterling and Ryan met as freshmen at Stanford University. "We were in the same dorm freshman year...that's kind of how we met," Ryan said in an interview with ET. "I was mesmerized," she said after watching him audition for the school play, Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Sterling revealed that The First Wives Club star was dating someone else, so they started off as friends.
"She got cast in the play as well, and we would ride bikes to rehearsal, and we would just talk. We found out that we were both from St. Louis. We didn't know that we were both from St. Louis, like, our parents went to rival high schools. We were born in the same hospital. Like, we were friends," he said.
The first few years of their relationship involved many breakups and makeups. However, they ended up graduating and attended NYU's Tisch Grad Acting Program together.
Early 2000s: Sterling K. Brown Tells Ryan Michelle Bathe She's 'The Love Of My Life'
The Paradise star opened up about telling Ryan that she was the one. "We broke up for three and a half years before we came back into each other's lives," he said. "She was on the treadmill working out, and I had this epiphany, 'I have to go tell this woman she's the love of my life.'"
"I go to her apartment, I tell her, and she's like, 'Well, I'm working out right now,' and I was like, 'No, I can see that—I'll just talk to you while you're on the treadmill,' and she's like, 'Well, I feel like going outside. So I'm gonna go on a run,'" he continued. "So I'm like dressed [in a suit], and she starts running through Koreatown, and I start running along with her. Brother had to work, but it was well worthwhile."
2006: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Tie The Knot
The St. Louis natives eloped in 2006 and a year later held a larger ceremony. According to the bride, the best part of their wedding was the food. "The best thing about it was the food," she told ET.
"Can I just say, sometimes you go to weddings, and you get the winner-winner chicken dinner and you're like, 'I pay. OK, it's fine.' But I wanted people to remember their experience -- their culinary experience. So I was happy about that. The food was good."
2011: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Welcome Their First Child
In 2011, Sterling and The Endgame actress welcomed their first son, Andrew. In a 2017 tweet, Sterling revealed they had a home birth. "An unexpected home delivery is something my wife and I went through ourselves with our first born, so this was round 2 for me!" he wrote while referring to a scene involving his character Randall, in This Is Us.
2012: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Appear On-screen Together
A year later, the couple acted together on the Lifetime series Army Wives.
2015: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Welcome Their Second Child
In 2015, Sterling and Ryan welcomed another son, Amaré. Sterling shared an Instagram post about their latest addition to the family. "1st post. 2nd child. All good! #imoninstagram," the Atlas star wrote.
2016: Ryan Michelle Bathe Joins Sterling K. Brown On 'This Is Us'
Ryan guest appears on her hubby's show, This Is Us.
Sterling K. Brown Reveals Ryan Michelle Bathe's Mother Didn't Like Him At First
During their sit-down interview for the Black Love series, Sterling revealed that Ryan's mother wasn't a fan of him, which caused friction in their relationship.
2024: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Explain How Jennifer Lopez Once Broke Them Up
While visiting The Jennifer Hudson Show, Sterling and Ryan share their hilarious Jennifer Lopez break-up story. "We had just gone out, we were living in New York City, we were in grad school, and we had gone to see a Broadway play and we came back to my place and my roommate was playing the ["Love Don't Cost A Thing"] video on MTV," Sterling said.
"Now I'm a fan of Jennifer Lopez's dancing, and I was watching the video and I knew my young...21, 22-year-old girlfriend was looking at me watch the video. And I know I'm not supposed to have a reaction. In trying NOT to have a reaction, what had happened was, my eyes began to water."
Ryan jumped in, "Otherwise known as, TEARS! I turn around and my boyfriend is weeping, tears like big fat [tears]. And I'm looking and she's just a shakin' and a shimming, and he's just crying. I said 'Oh no, I got to go.' "
2024: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Launch Their Podcast, We Don't Always Agree
The couple launched their podcast, We Don't Always Agree, where they disclose more intimate details about their love story.
Feature image by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock