I have been kicking around this post in my head for a while now. I was not quite too sure how deep and dark the family secrets that I share should be going.
Anyway, it is obvious that I have decided to share you with - how not to create a smoothie
Last summer my mom bought herself one of those super fancy ultra-blenders. You know the ones that I am talking about, right? She was going to blend and juice her way to uber-health and super duper slenderness.
I was with her one day and she was making herself a smoothie, she added green beans, pineapple, berries and then headed out to the garage, came back in with a store brand orange soda pop and Popped! the top and poured that soda into the blender. I could have died, I was laughing so hard. Now this isn't going to be a rant on soda pop. I already have lots of those on the blog that you can go ahead and read if you want. But it is a little story about how my mom had no idea how to make a smoothie.
For those of us / you who may be in the same boat as my adored mother, I give you.... Create a Smoothie.
It is simple in the brilliance of it and you can add just about anything fruit or vegetable you want. You don't need a lot of liquid and actually water is one of the best ones that you can choose. That was a new learning experience for me.
Be sure to keep your smoothie healthy, but not adding too much sugary fruit juice, stay away from ice cream and frozen yogurt, and never ever add honey or sugar to your smoothie - they just don't need it!
Some ways that you can really add some pep (and protein) to your smoothie try switching out those bananas for avocadoes, and be sure the dairy products you are using are Low-fat or No Fat. Or go for a non-dairy alternative like almond milk or coconut water.
If you keep your fruit pieces small and freeze them they will keep your smoothie frosty and thick without having to add all those things they aren't so good for you. You can always thin you smoothie with water or 100% juice fruit juice (but just a little bit) -- And never ever soda like my silly mom.
There are as many smoothie recipes out there are there are people who enjoy them. Here are some ones that I especially liked.
Smoothies from Whole Living. They advertise the article as Breakfast Smoothies, but you all know they aren't just for breakfast anymore.
Eating Well has a few smoothies that are different. I am especially fond of the Creamsicle one that is made with coconut water. It is just so delicious!
There is no shortage of recipes that are advertised as Healthy Smoothie Recipes, Here are two of them.
But as nice as all those recipes are... you don't Need them! We have CREATES! We have been making pumpkin smoothies, and eggnog (lowfat of course) smoothies and someone even experimented trying to make apple pie smoothie, (they were the only one who liked it - but they did).
So bust out your blender and some frozen fruits and veggies (my dad's favorite to add to his smoothie is green beans), but leave behind the ice cream and the frozen yogurt and for Heaven's Sake the soda pop! and get creating a smoothie!
