Refreshing Summer Smoothies

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9 delicious, healthy options.

Smoothies are perfect during the summer months when fruits are abundant and at their tastiest stage. They are great for a quick pick-me-up whenever there is little time for other cooking. They can be light water and fruit based, or protein full with fiber full fruits and seeds. Low fat milk and yogurt or Almond milk are great choices available to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of these goodies. Pick a smoothie for taste, for heart health or weight loss. The choices are endless. Whatever you pick, Enjoy!

Vanilla Strawberry Smoothie

Vanilla Strawberry Smoothie

  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 2 medium bananas, cut in pieces
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulls removed
  • 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup ice cubes (10 to 12 ice cubes)

Place orange juice, bananas, strawberries and yogurt in blender jar. Or stir with a blender stick.

Add ice cubes to mixture in blender.

Press PULSE 4 or 5 times to chop ice. Then, blend on HIGH until mixture is thoroughly blended and smooth. Pour into pretty tall cups and sip slowly. Or better yet savor by spoonfuls for longer lasting results.

Serves: 2-3

Orange-Sickle Smoothie

Orange-Sickle SmoothieWhen in the mood for some refreshing drink lighter than ice cream try this very simple and easy to make smoothie. A most festive dessert to end a dairy meal.

  • 1 1/2 cups orange juice
  • 4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Place orange juice in blender.

Add vanilla ice cream.

Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds or until thick and frothy. Delicious and refreshing!

Serves: 2

Green Tea, Blueberry, and Banana

Green Tea, Blueberry, and Banana

Looking for a nutritious drink that will boost your energy? This antioxidant-rich green tea makes this smoothie a nutritional powerhouse.

  • ½ cup boiling water
  • 1 green tea bag
  • 1 tsp honey (optional)
  • 1½ c frozen blueberries
  • ½ medium banana
  • ¾ cup Almond milk

Brew a green tea bag in ½ cup boiling water and allow to steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bag. Stir honey (if desired) into tea until it dissolves.

Whiz berries, banana, and milk in a hand blender or blender... Add tea to blender. Whiz

ingredients until smooth. Pour smoothie into tall glass and serve.

Serves 2

Strawberry-Kiwi Smoothie

Strawberry-Kiwi Smoothie

Stay satisfied while fighting disease. This high-fiber drink becomes even healthier when you use organic kiwis, which contain higher levels of heart-healthy polyphenols and loads of vitamin C.

  • 1¼ c cold apple juice
  • 1 ripe banana, sliced
  • 1 kiwifruit, sliced
  • 5 frozen strawberries
  • 1 Tbs ground chia seeds
  • 1½ tsp honey

Combine the juice, banana, kiwifruit, strawberries, and honey. Blend until smooth. Pour into pretty cups and sip slowly for best effect.

Serves 2

Banana-Coconut Smoothie

Banana-Coconut SmoothieCoconut is low in natural sugars, and high in fiber, manganese, and nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides, which can help delay memory loss

  • 1 cup 1% cow’s milk (or hemp, almond, rice)
  • 1 frozen banana, slightly thawed
  • 1 scoop protein powder (optional)
  • 2 Tbs unsweetened coconut
  • 1 Tbs coconut oil (optional)
  • 1 Tbs flaxseed meal

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and mix well. Serve in tall glasses. Eat it with a spoon for optimal digestion and most benefit.

Serves 2

Super Fruity Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie

Inflammation is just as bad for your brain as it is for your body. Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which experts believe are necessary for transmitting signals between brain cells. Blueberries and raspberries are also known for encouraging healthy connections between the cells of the brain. Pineapples contain the amazing enzyme bromelain which is well known for its anti inflammatory properties. Want to feel at your best at all times? Try this great smoothie!

  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 small banana, peeled and frozen
  • 1/4 cup diced pineapple
  • 3 Tbsp chia seeds
  • 3 ice cubes
  • 1 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1 serving whey protein powder (vanilla) (optional)

Combine all the ingredients except the protein powder in a blender, and blend at high speed until smooth.

Add the protein powder and lightly blend until incorporated.

Serves 2-4

Pomegranate-Strawberry Smoothie

Pomegranate-Strawberry Smoothie

Fiber helps regulate blood sugar. And since glucose is your brain’s chief source of energy, it’s important to keep those levels steady, This low-cal smoothie is full of fiber, along with other brain-friendly antioxidants.

  • 1/3 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1 tsp raw honey
  • 3/4 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
  • 2 Tbs fat-free plain yogurt
  • 1 Tbs flaxseed oil or flaxseed meal
  • 4 ice cubes

WHISK pomegranate juice and honey in a small cup to dissolve the honey completely.

COMBINE the strawberries, yogurt, oil, ice cubes, and pomegranate and honey in a blender.

PROCESS for 1 to 2 minutes, or until thick and smooth. Pour into a glass

Serves 1

Mango-Avocado Smoothie

Avocados are rich in vitamin E, which has been shown to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The spinach offers up brain-supporting omega-3s and also helps replenish your iron supply.

It is never too late to enhance our health with brain boosting nutrients.

  • 1/2 fresh mango
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1 cup chilled vanilla Almond milk
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 5 tsp agave nectar or honey

Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.

Serves 1

Almond, Blueberry, and Banana Smoothie

Almond, Blueberry, and Banana Smoothie

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that protect brain cells from free-radical damage. Mineral-rich raw honey and almonds and iron-packed kale round out the brain-boosting power of this smoothie.

  • 1½ cups plain unsweetened almond milk
  • 3/4 of a medium frozen banana
  • 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup chopped kale
  • 5 unsalted whole almonds
  • 2 teaspoons raw honey

Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.

Serves 1

Enjoy a healthy and care free summer!

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