Summer Smoothies

By Staff
Fruit-filled refreshment and nourishment
Recipe Directions:
Smoothies are easy to make! Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour smoothie into a large glass and garnish if desired. Each recipe makes one 10 -ounce serving – double or triple the ingredients and make additional batches for more servings.
Remember the following tips for "perfecting" your smoothie:
Freeze fruit ahead of time for a frostier drink
Try to use the freshest fruit in season
Too thick? Add more juice
Too thin? Add more fruit
Too tart? Add a sugar substitute, molasses or maple syrup
Too sweet? Add citrus juice
Fruit in a glass
Summer is the time to enjoy an array of wonderful fruits and vegetables, starting in June with "National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month." These foods are a great way to add vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, such as antioxidants, to the diet. Beneficial antioxidants can be found in many fruits and juices, such as blueberries and orange juice. According to the National Cancer Institute eating lots of fruits and vegetables as part of a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Many health professionals encourage Americans to eat at least five servings
of fruits and vegetables a day.
A serving can be:
1 medium-sized whole fruit, such as a banana, peach or plum
3/4 cup (6 ounces) of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice, such as orange or tomato juice
1/2 cup fresh, frozen or canned fruit, such as grapes, melon, blueberries or fruit cocktail – or vegetables, such as green beans, carrots or tomatoes
1 cup raw leafy greens, such as romaine lettuce, spinach or collard greens
1/2 cup cooked peas or beans, such as black-eyed peas or navy, black or pinto beans
1/4 cup dried fruit, such as apricots or raisins
Tropical Fruit Smoothie
3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Blends Orange Passion
1/2 cup cubed mango
1/2 cup cubed papaya
1/2 cup cubed pineapple
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1/3 cup vanilla-flavored soy milk
1/4 cup shredded coconut, optional
1 cup crushed ice
Fruit Servings: Four
Fruit &Nut
Breakfast Smoothie
3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
2 small apricots, peeled and cubed
1 medium nectarine, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
2 scoops orange sherbet or fat-free vanilla- lavored frozen yogurt
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 cup crushed ice
Fruit Servings: Three
Three Melon Smoothie
3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
2 scoops fat-free vanilla- flavored frozen yogurt
1/2 cup cubed cantaloupe
1/2 cup cubed honeydew melon
1/2 cup cubed watermelon
1 cup crushed ice
Fruit Servings: Four
Luscious Lime
Smoothie
3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
2 scoops lime sherbet
1 ripe medium banana
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 kiwifruit, peeled and halved
1 cup crushed ice
Fruit Servings: Four
Peanut Butter-Berry Smoothie
3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
1/4 cup plain soy milk
1 ripe medium banana
1/2 cup cubed cantaloupe
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sliced strawberries or raspberries
1 cup crushed ice
Fruit Servings: Four
Berry-Blue Vanilla Smoothie
3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
1 medium peach, cubed
1/2 cup blueberries
2 scoops fat-free vanilla- flavored frozen yogurt
1 tablespoon crushed pecans
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup crushed ice
Fruit Servings: Three