Robin's Healthy Take: 5 Simple Smoothies
We love smoothies in our house. Whether it's breakfast, dessert or snack time, blender drinks are an excellent way to recharge your batteries while downing important nutrients. Check out five of my family's favorite concoctions, then tell me your favorite smoothie combos!
The two smoothies I make most: chocolate-peanut butter-banana and strawberry-blueberry-orange. You can make yours dairy-based with milk, yogurt or low-fat ice cream or fruit-based with just fresh fruit and juice.
Note: I only added ice to the Orange Creamsicle smoothie, but you can add ice to any of these (about 1/2 cup) to make them thicker and/or colder (especially when using fresh fruit).
Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana: Combine in a blender 1 banana, 1 cup low-fat milk, 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup; puree until smooth. Add more milk for a thinner consistency. Note: You can also make this with Nutella instead of peanut butter!
Strawberry-Blueberry-Orange: Combine in a blender 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries and 1/2 cup orange juice; puree until smooth. Add more orange juice for a thinner consistency. Note: You can also use peaches and blueberries or raspberries and blueberries.
Coconut-Pineapple: Combine in a blender 2 cups fresh, frozen or canned pineapple in juice and 1/2 cup coconut milk; puree until smooth. Note: You can substitute mango or papaya for the pineapple.
Orange Creamsicle: Combine in a blender 6 ounces low-fat or nonfat vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup ice, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; puree until smooth.
Mango-Raspberry-Lime: Combine in a blender 1 cup fresh or frozen cubed mango, 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lime zest; puree until smooth.
Robin Miller is a nutritionist, host of Quick Fix Meals, author of “Robin Rescues Dinner” and the busy mom of two active little boys. Her boys and great food are her passion. Check her out at www.robinrescuesdinner.com.
