| Smoothies have been all the rage for quite some time, | | | | - 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced |
| but are they really beneficial to dieters? Yes! | | | | - 1 cup cantaloupe, cubed |
| Smoothies help dieters maintain hydration, provide | | | | - 2 ice cubes, crushedDirections: |
| more fiber and vitamins than most foods, and provide | | | | Peel all fruits and slice as directed. Crush the ice cubes. |
| plenty of natural fructose, vitamins, minerals, and | | | | Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high power |
| antioxidants. | | | | for two minutes, or until completely smooth and frothy. |
| All of this comes in an easily-digestible form that | | | | Add a little honey for more sweetness, if desired. |
| delivers the nutrients quickly and efficiently. | | | | Serve or drink immediately. |
| Here are three delicious smoothie recipes that will help | | | | The Quick Morning Hunger-Buster Smoothie |
| you start your morning with a burst of energy and | | | | This is an easy recipe that can be made in minutes, |
| keep feeling good all day long: | | | | but it will satisfy you for hours to come. It serves up a |
| The Ultimate Green Smoothie | | | | whopping 6 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber per |
| Green smoothies are packed with rejuvenating | | | | cup! |
| chlorophyll and antioxidants that kick the immune | | | | Silken tofu adds a smooth texture and plenty of |
| system into high gear. | | | | hunger-fighting protein, while the fiber from the apples |
| This one delivers several servings of dark green | | | | and berries will keep your digestive system in top form. |
| veggies along with sweet-tasting fruits to please the | | | | The yogurt adds more protein, plus calcium |
| palate. | | | | What You'll Need: |
| It also contains just enough healthy fat to help your | | | | - 1 cup frozen mixed berries |
| body absorb and use the smoothie's many vitamins. | | | | - 1/2 banana |
| What You'll Need: | | | | - 2 sweet apples, cored and sliced |
| - 4 leaves of kale, de-stemmed | | | | - 1/2 cup silken tofu |
| - 4 leaves of chard, de-stemmed | | | | - 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurtDirections: |
| - 1/2 bunch of parsley | | | | Combine berries, banana, apples, yogurt and tofu in |
| - 1 large aloe vera leaf | | | | blender. |
| - 1/2 bunch of dandelion greens | | | | Blend on high speed for two minutes or until smooth. |
| - 3 pears | | | | This smoothie can be placed in a covered container |
| - 1 ripe banana, peeled | | | | and stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. |
| - 1 avocado, peeled | | | | Bonus: Build Your Own Smoothie |
| - 3 cups of waterDirections: | | | | You can create a custom smoothie recipe that |
| Remove stems from kale and chard leaves. Peel | | | | perfectly suits your taste. Here's how: |
| banana and avocado. Remove seed from avocado. | | | | Custom green smoothies can be made by taking your |
| Place ingredients in blender. Add 2 1/2 cups water. | | | | favorite dark leafy green vegetables (such as spinach, |
| Blend for approximately two minutes, or until | | | | kale, or arugula) and combining them with your favorite |
| completely smooth. Drink and enjoy! | | | | sweet-tasting fruits (such as bananas, pears, or |
| The Vitamin C Monster Smoothie | | | | apples). |
| This yummy recipe is a favorite during cold and flu | | | | Add a fruit or vegetable with high water content (such |
| season. It's packed with vitamin C to help your body | | | | as cucumber or melon) for added hydration. Blend on |
| fight off illnesses. | | | | high speed until smooth. |
| The antioxidants also help rid your body of free | | | | Hunger-busting smoothies can be created by mixing a |
| radicals that can lead to disease. | | | | few of your favorite fruits with a protein source (such |
| What You'll Need: | | | | as yogurt or silken tofu). Experiment until you find the |
| - 1 package fresh strawberries, leaves removed | | | | mix that works best for you! |
| - 2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced | | | | Remember: You can add powdered supplements to |
| - 1 orange, peeled | | | | any smoothie recipe for an extra dose of protein or |
| - 1 cup fresh blueberries | | | | fiber. |