Drinks

Banana Berry Smoothie

I love fruits and vegetables but I have to admit, I have a hard time getting my daily allowance for a multitude of reasons - eating on the run, no time for frequent trips to the grocery store to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, and last but certainly not least, laziness (it seems to me that it takes much more effort to incorporate these nutritional powerhouses into my diet).  No more excuses! I'm approximately 3 weeks into 2013 and I've decided that this will be the year that I focus on eating healthier.  So, this weekend, I went out and bought a Vitamix blender. By the way, kitchen gadgets are my favorite thing to shop for so I'll use any excuse to purchase a new one. If you don't have a Vitamix, I would highly recommend it.  I've only had it for two days but I can tell that it's a love affair in the making.  
 
Here is the first in a series of healthy smoothie recipes that I'll be posting.  This banana berry smoothie is loaded with antioxidants and good way to start your day.
 
Adapted from Martha Stewart at marthastewart.com 
 
 
Makes 2 servings
 




Ingredients

  • 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries or raspberries
 




Instrucitons

 
Step 1: Combine (in the order listed) yogurt, banana, blueberries, and strawberries  (or raspberries) in a Vitamix and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
Step 2: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into two glasses; serve immediately.
 




Blood Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

This is delicious!
 
 
Makes 2 servings
 



 

Ingredients

 
  • 7 ice cubes
  • 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
  • 2 blood oranges, peeled
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
 



 

Instructions

 
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in the order listed in a Vitamix and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
Step 2: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into two glasses; serve immediately.



 

Cheryl's Favorite Healthy Smoothie

This smoothie is truly a powerhouse when it comes to its nutritional value and antioxidant and anticancer properties.  It has everything you need to put you on the road to a healthier you. Why, you ask – well first, berries are high in fiber and contain lots of vitamins and minerals (e.g., vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, folate and potassium). Most importantly, in my opinion, berries have antioxidant properties and contain phytochemicals and flavonoids that may help to prevent cancer. 
 
In addition to the berries, this smoothie also contains a healthy dose of kale and ground flax seed. Kale is most definitely a power player in the nutritional world. It is an excellent source of fiber and loaded with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, vitamins B6, A, C, and K, magnesium, copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. It is also one of the best sources of flavonoids and carotenoids. Kale has a slightly bitter taste so if your berries aren't too sweet,  you may need to add a little sugar to your smoothie.
 
And finally ground flax seed is a good source of fiber and omega-3 essential fatty acids. Ground flax seed also contains lignans, a class of phytoestrogens considered to have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.  
 
If I had to choose one smoothie to drink everyday, this one would be it.  It's actually very easy to drink because its so yummy. One of these a day will surely keep the doctor away.
 
 
Makes 2 servings
 




Ingredients

 
  • 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 1 to 2 cups packed chopped kale leaves
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
 




Instructions

 
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in the order listed in a Vitamix and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
 
Step 2: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into two glasses; serve immediately.
 




Green Glowing Smoothie

  

Here is another smoothie recipe that I found on the Vitamix website.  This smoothie contains lots of good nutrients and has just about everything in it except the kitchen sink. While you can get a concentrated dose of your daily allowance of fruits and vegetables, this one is an acquired taste and not my favorite.  If you can acquire a taste for it and are able to drink one of these a day, it will be sure to detoxify your body.

 

Makes 4 servings

Adapted from Vitamix.com 
 



 

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 to 2 cups (360-480 ml) water
  • 3/4 pound (340 g) organic romaine lettuce, rough chopped, about 1 head
  • 1/2 head large bunch or 3/4 small bunch organic spinach
  • 3 to 4 organic celery stalks, halved
  • 1 organic apple, cored, quartered
  • 1 organic pear, cored, quartered
  • 1 organic banana, peeled
  • 1/2 fresh organic lemon, peeled, seeded
  • 1/3 bunch organic cilantro with stems (optional)
  • 1/3 bunch organic parsley with stems (optional)
 



 

Instructions

 
Step 1: Place water, romaine, spinach, celery, cilantro and parsley, if using, into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
Step 2: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 8. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Stop machine and remove lid.
 
Step 3: Add apple, pear, banana and lemon juice to the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
Step 4: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.



 

Green Grape Smoothie

Another great green smoothie recipe. This one is definitely a favorite!

Adapted from Vitamix, Create Recipes
 
Makes 2 servings
 



 

Ingredients

 
  • 6 to 7 ice cubes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1-1/2 cup green grapes
  • 1/2 Bartlett pear
  • 1 medium apple
  • 1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
 



 

Instructions

 
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in the order listed in a Vitamix and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
Step 2: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into two glasses; serve immediately.
 



 

Green Mango Pineapple Smoothie

Makes 2 servings





Ingredients

 
  • 1 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple
  • 1 to 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen mango pieces
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 2 tablespoons flaxseed
  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 7 ice cubes, if needed
 




Instructions

 
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in the order listed in a Vitamix and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
Step 2: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into two glasses; serve immediately.




Hot Chocolate

The best way to enjoy good chocolate: drink it! This recipe is not what most Americans expect.


Ingredients

 

  •     2 cups skim milk
  •     3 ounces finest dark chocolate (60-65% cacao)
  •     2 tablespoons vanilla extract
     

Instructions


Step 1: Bring milk to boil and reduce heat to simmer.

Step 2: Break chocolate up into small pieces and put into simmering milk. Do not let boil! Stir continuously for 4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Stir in vanilla. Let cool slightly. Pour into small coffee cups and serve.
 

Limoncello

Makes 70 ounces


Ingredients

  •     2 pounds lemons
  •     18 ounces (540 mL) of grain alcohol (190 proof)
  •     17 ounces (510 mL) vodka (80 proof)
  •     2 pounds sugar
  •     36 ounces (1080 mL) water


Instructions


Step 1: Thinly peel all the skins off of the lemons. Only the yellow part should be peeled.

Step 2: Add the lemon peels to the alcohol, and keep for 14 to 21 days in a cool place.

Step 3: Once the alcohol has been infused with the lemon peels, remove the peels from the alcohol.



Step 4: In a separate bowl or glass container, mix the sugar and water together and heat to dissolve sugar. Heat to 160 degrees. Do not boil. The syrup should be clear.

                           


Step 5: Add the infused alcohol to the cool sugar and water mixture. This will turn a beautiful bright yellow color.  Keep the limoncello in the freezer. Serve it with any dessert or special occasion.

Sweet Greens Smoothie

Ok, this smoothie is definitely not a pretty color but it actually very tasty, light, and refreshing.
 
Adapted from Vitamix, Create Recipes
 
Makes 2 servings
 




Ingredients

 
  • 6 to 7 ice cubes
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, peeled, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 to 1 cup coconut water
 




Instructions

 
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in the order listed in a Vitamix and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
Step 2: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into two glasses; serve immediately.




Theresa's Favorite Smoothie

 

Ingredients

 
  • 1 cup coconut water
  • 1 cup of frozen mixed berries
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup of any frozen or fresh fruit
  • 1 cup of baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed
 

Instructions

 
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in the order listed in a Vitamix and secure lid. Select Variable 1.
 
Step 2: Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into two glasses; serve immediately.