The house is unusually quiet (and tidy) this week as my two little people are enjoying a five day stretch at nanny and grandads: days of sandy beaches and having both ice creams and hot chocolate with marshmallows in the same afternoon - no questions asked. They're living the high life, that's for sure.

I miss them both like mad, but it is great to have some much needed time to get some work done before our holiday later this month. And then there are those child-free evenings to fill with dinners for two, after work drinks down the local and catching up with friends. However, one day in and I'm stuck down ill with a sore throat and all. Typical!

Determined to shake this off, I decided to make myself a vitamin packed smoothie yesterday. I had a couple of over-ripe kiwi's in the fruit bowl and some blueberries in the fridge and there was that punnet of new season blackcurrants (packed with vitamin C) that won me over at the shops. These formed the base of my smoothie along with other smoothie-friendly ingredients that I had to hand. It's the perfect pick-me-up for those a little under the weather.

Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Kiwi & Basil Smoothie

1 handful of blueberries
1 handful of blackcurrants
2 kiwi fruits, peeled and roughly chopped
1 ripe banana, sliced
4 basil leaves
2 heaped tsp of nut butter (I used cashew)
1 tsp honey
a large glassful of almond milk (or milk of your choice)

Place all the ingredients in a blender and whizz until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass, pop in a straw and enjoy.