Sensational SMOOTHIES

We love smoothies at our house! They are fast, healthy, and usually can quench a persistent sweet tooth. Not to mention, it is easy to "hide" healthy boosts into the smoothie that even the most discriminating, picky eater will not protest. Here are a couple of general ideas followed by a list of several smoothie combinations that we love. ENJOY!!

1. Try vanilla soy milk as a substitute for water or milk.
2. For the best banana flavor, choose bananas that have flecks of brown on the skin. Bananas that are too green will not be as sweet or flavorful.
3. A handful of spinach can be added to any smoothie (and not alter the taste... but the color a little.)
4. Sprinkle with crunchy granola for a tasty topping.
5. To add extra fiber, add a cereal with fiber (such as Fiber One). For a smoother consistency, crush the cereal before adding it to the ingredients in the blender.
6. One tablespoon wheat germ also can be added for extra fiber.

Strawberry-Mandarin Smoothie

1 1/4	cups sliced fresh or frozen (thawed) strawberries
1/3	cup frozen (thawed) mandarin tangerine juice concentrate (or use OJ concentrate)
1/2	cup Fat Free creamy vanilla yogurt
1/3	cup cold water

Easy Strawberry-Banana Smoothies

1 container (6 oz) Greek Fat Free strawberry yogurt
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1 cup frozen unsweetened or fresh strawberries
1 medium banana, sliced (1 cup)

Watermelon-Kiwi-Banana Smoothie

1 cup coarsely chopped seeded watermelon
1 kiwifruit, peeled and cut into pieces
2 ice cubes
1 ripe banana, frozen, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 cup chilled apple juice

Apple-Kiwi Smoothie

1 small apple, peeled, cut into chunks
1 kiwi fruit, peeled, cut into chunks
4 medium fresh strawberries
2/3 cup Fat Free creamy strawberry yogurt
1/3 cup apple juice

Peach-Berry Smoothie

2 containers (6 oz each) Fat Free strawberry yogurt
1 cup sliced fresh or frozen peaches or nectarines
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup crushed ice

Raspberry-Banana Yogurt Smoothies

1 container (6 oz) Fat Free French vanilla yogurt
1 1/2 cups soymilk (or skim milk)
1 cup unsweetened frozen or fresh raspberries
1 medium banana, sliced (1 cup)

Melon-Raspberry Smoothies

1 cup cubed cantaloupe or honeydew melon
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 container (6 oz) Fat Free strawberry mango yogurt
2 tablespoons skim milk
1 tablespoon sugar (or other sweetener)

**Blueberries can be substituted for the raspberries. Mango can be substituted for the cantaloupe or honeydew.

Blueberry Smoothies

1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk or skim milk
1 container (6 oz) Fat Free lemon burst or French vanilla yogurt
Honey, if desired

Creamy Mango Smoothies

2 mangoes, seed removed, peeled and chopped (or 2 cups frozen mango thawed)
2 cups mango sorbet
2 containers (6 oz each) Fat Free French vanilla yogurt
1 1/2 cups skim milk or soy milk

Orange Smoothies

1 quart (4 cups) vanilla frozen yogurt, slightly softened
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup milk

Instead of vanilla frozen yogurt, you can use strawberry frozen yogurt or vanilla ice cream.

OR

2	cups ice cubes or slightly crushed ice
2	cups vanilla soy milk (or skim milk)
1	can (6 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate

Key Lime-Banana Smoothie

1 container (6 oz) Fat Free Key lime pie yogurt
1 ripe banana, sliced
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon dry lemon lime-flavored soft drink mix
1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt

Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothies

2 cups light chocolate soy milk (or chocolate milk)
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 large banana, frozen

Chocolate-Raspberry Smoothies

2 cups light chocolate soy milk
1 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Drizzle smoothie with a little chocolate sauce. Can also substitute strawberries for raspberries.

Honey Nut-Peach Smoothies (for the kiddos)

1 1/3 cups Fat Free creamy harvest peach or creamy vanilla yogurt
1 1/2 cups Honey Nut Cheerios cereal
1 can (15 oz) sliced peaches in juice, drained
1 cup milk
1 banana, sliced
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, if desired

For frostier smoothies, substitute 1 1/3 cups frozen sliced peaches, slightly thawed, for the canned peaches.

Berry-Banana Cereal Smoothie

1 cup vanilla, plain, strawberry or raspberry fat-free yogurt
1/2 cup Cheerios or another round oat cereal
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or flaxseed meal
1/2 cup fresh strawberry halves or raspberries, or frozen whole strawberries
1/2 cup skim milk
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (or other sweetener)
1/2 banana

Spiced Caramel-Banana Smoothies

1 container (6 oz) Yoplait Thick & Creamy crème caramel low-fat yogurt
1 ripe medium banana, cut into chunks
1 1/4 cups soy milk
1 tablespoon caramel fat-free topping
1 1/2 cups crushed ice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom (or just use extra cinnamon if you don't have this)
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves