Who doesn’t love a smoothie, especially when you can make your own from a big selection of ingredients. Set the smoothie bar with fresh fruit, cubed and frozen, bananas, soy or low-fat milk, yogurt, honey, nuts, ice cubes, ice cream and a few nutritional supplements. Don’t forget a blender. (If you can borrow a second blender, so much the better.)
Okay, what about those nutritional supplements. Here are a few suggestions:
Vitamin C powder – It won’t change the taste of the smoothie but it is a great antioxidant and it is an anti-aging nutrient.
Ginseng – Helps with energy, stress and enhances immune function. Use a liquid extract in the smoothies.
Protein powder – makes the smoothie a complete meal. Use a soy-based powder for extra health benefits.
Bee pollen – increases the nutritional content of the smoothie. It contains B-complex vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, calcium, potassium and protein. It doesn’t change the taste of the smoothie.
Lecithin – is derived from soybeans. It protects cells from oxidation. It helps increase brain functions and promotes energy. It won’t change the taste.
Now, here are a few smoothie recipes to get you started.
Peachy Morning
½ cup soy milk or other milk
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 cup frozen peaches
1 cup frozen cherries
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mango Madness
¾ cup orange juice
1 inch chunk of gingerroot grated
1 mango, peeled and chunked
1 banana, chunked
6 ice cubes
Tropical Enzyme Delight
1 papaya, peeled and chunked
¾ cup soy milk or other milk
1 ½ teaspoons grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon bee pollen
Anti-Aging Smoother
½ cup orange juice
1 cup papaya, peeled and chunked
½ cup fresh blueberries
¼ teaspoon ascorbic acid (vitamin C powder)
6 ice cubes
Stress Buster
6 chamomile herbal tea ice cubes
½ cup pineapple juice
½ cup fresh carrot juice
1 cup fresh peaches, sliced
After Workout Refresher
6 peach herbal tea ice cubes
½ cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup peaches, peeled and sliced
Start the Day Brain Booster
½ cup yogurt
1 orange, chunked
1 cup fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon lecithin granules
1 tablespoon protein powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
6-8 ice cubes
Pineapple Mint Vegan
1 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 ounces soft silken tofu
10 fresh mint leaves
