1. I start with the fruit prep. After washing my strawberries, I remove the green tops and cut any larger berries in half. For the kiwis, I like to peel them using a small knife, though a spoon works well too. The riper the fruit, the sweeter your smoothie will be naturally.

2. Next comes my favorite part layering the ingredients in the blender. I’ve learned that the order matters! I start with the coconut water at the bottom, then add the yogurt, followed by the fresh fruits. The ice goes in last to help push everything down toward the blades.

3. Before blending, I take a moment to drizzle in the honey if my strawberries aren’t super sweet. During peak berry season, I often skip this step entirely.

4. Now for the main event blending! I start on low speed for about 30 seconds to break down the frozen ingredients, then gradually increase to high speed. I let it blend for about 1-2 minutes until everything is smooth and creamy.

5. Here’s my pro tip: I stop the blender and give everything a quick stir with a long spoon, then blend again for another 30 seconds. This ensures no fruit chunks are hiding at the top.

6. Finally, I pour the smoothie into glasses and garnish with a fresh strawberry and kiwi slice if I’m feeling fancy (or taking photos for my blog!).