| I confess. I am a confirmed smoothie junkie. What's | | | | ginger can help to ease the symptoms of arthritis. |
| more, I am actually proud of it. | | | | HAWAIIAN SMOOTHIE |
| When I began experimenting with truly healthy | | | | 1 cup cubed peeled pineapple |
| smoothie recipes a few years ago, I noticed thatmy | | | | 2 cups cubed ripe mango; peeled |
| near obsessive desire for sweets began to subside. | | | | 1 ripe banana peeled and cut into chunks |
| And my energy level began to soar. | | | | 1/2 cup plain yogurt |
| Now, I actually prefer the taste of a freshly-made | | | | 1 tsp. extra-virgin coconut oil |
| smoothie to that of a sugar-filled milkshake or malt any | | | | Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until |
| day. The key to curbing those refined sugar cravings is | | | | smooth. |
| to feed your body an abundance ofvitamins and | | | | Serves 2 |
| minerals, along with several servings of naturally sweet | | | | Bananas are very high in plant protein. They are a |
| foods daily. | | | | good source of vitamins A, B1, B2 and niacin. Yogurt is |
| Yes, kicking the sugar habit will take commitment. And | | | | a calcium-rich food that boosts the digestive system. |
| a little work. But it's definitely doable. | | | | MELON MADNESS SMOOTHIE |
| Here are a few healthy smoothie recipes to help you | | | | 2 cups seeded and chopped watermelon |
| get started: | | | | 1 1/2 cups seeded and chopped honeydew melon |
| GINGER TROPICAL SMOOTHIE | | | | 1 1/2 cups ripe papaya |
| 1/2 cup orange juice | | | | 1 cup guava nectar |
| 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks | | | | 1 cup ice cubes |
| 1/2 banana | | | | Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. |
| 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger root; peeled | | | | Pour into glasses. |
| 1/2 cup crushed ice | | | | Makes 2 - 3 servings |
| Add all ingredients to blender and process until smooth. | | | | Watermelon is rich in provitamin A, potassium and zinc, |
| Serves 1 | | | | which some experts say helps combat impotence. |
| Ginger is a powerful root that helps to soothe the | | | | Papayas are a good source of both beta carotene |
| stomach. I have used it myself many times to help | | | | and vitamin C. |
| keep nausea at bay. Some experts also claim that | | | | |