Keep your smoothie well balanced with carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Carbohydrates- Veggies and certain low glycemic fruits. Protein - protein powder ( soy, whey, rice, hemp, etc) or cottage cheese. Healthy Fats - Avocado, coconut oil, flax seed oil or powder. Fiber - leafy greens, veggies, certain low glycemic fruits

Friday, April 27, 2012

Raspberry Orange

Blend:
1 cup orange juice
1 cup raspberries
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 cup of ice 
Splenda or Stevia no calorie sweetener to taste.

Strawberry Shortcake

Blend:
2 cups strawberries
1 cup crumbled pound cake
1-1/2 cups skim milk
1-1/2 cups ice
Splenda or Stevia no calorie sweetener to taste.

Banana

Blend:
2 bananas
1/2 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
2 teaspoons honey
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup ice.

Oatmeal Smoothie

Ingredients
BASE INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup uncooked oats (old fashioned rolled oats recommended; do not use steel cut oats)
1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
1 cup liquid (dairy or non-dairy milk or juice, or combination)
1/4 cup low-fat yogurt (Greek yogurt recommended, but any yogurt may be used, including non-dairy)
1 cup fruit, fresh, frozen (unthawed), or canned (drained); or 1/2 cup dried fruit*; or 3/4 cup fruit sauce or puree (i.e. applesauce)

OPTIONAL ADD-INS:
1 or more teaspoons sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, or your preferred sweetener)
1 or more tablespoons fruit jam, preserves, or spread
1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or other sweet spices
1 or more teaspoons cocoa powder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract or vanilla bean paste

 Directions
Add oats and chia seeds to blender; blend on high until texture of flour. Add liquid (milk/juice) to blender; use spoon or spatula to stir in oats/chias from bottom. Add yogurt. Add fruit and any additional flavorings. Blend on high until desired smoothness. Taste and add sweetener, if needed. Blend again. Transfer to pint (2 cup) jar or container; refrigerate overnight, or a minimum of 4 hours, so oats & chias can soften. Will keep in refrigerator at least 2-3 days. Shake before drinking.

IF TOO THICK after the fridge soak, add more juice or milk and shake jar/container or return to blender to combine.
FOR A SMOOTHER CONSISTENCY, return to blender after the fridge soak and blend again.
TO FREEZE: May be frozen after the 4 hour soak in the fridge. To thaw, move to fridge a day ahead so it is thawed for drinking the next day. For faster thaw, place frozen jar/container in bowl of cold water on the counter for 1-2 hours. Shake before drinking.

*If using dried fruit, increase liquid (milk/juice) by 1/4 cup.

Lime Smoothie

Recipe:
1/2 cup of lime, sliced
2/3 cup of skim milk
1 cup of low-fat lime sherbet
1/2 cup of raspberries
8-10 ice cubes
Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth.

Tomato Smoothie

Recipe:
2 cups of tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup of tomato juice
1/4 cup of apple juice
1/2 cup of carrots, chopped
1/4 cup of celery, chopped
1/2 a teaspoon to a teaspoon of hot sauce
8-10 ice cubes
Place everything in the blender and mix until smooth.

Mixed Up Fruit Smoothie

Recipe:
1/4 cup of apple slices
1/4 cup of banana slices
1 orange, peeled
1 tablespoon of honey
6 ice cubes
Place all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.

Below are some key ingredients that you can use as a guide when creating your slimming juices:

Carrot: This delicious juice will help add sweetness but still let you benefit from the incredible benefits of this amazing vegetable such as digestion stimulant, liver cleanser, and high levels of beta-carotene.

Cucumber: a base of choice for most recipes since they are water dense and relatively low calorie.

Celery: Is often recommended in weight-loss programs as it is low calorie and water dense. Juice the entire celery stick including the chlorophyll rich green leaves.

Lettuce: dark-green lettuce types are nutrient dense and darker the lettuce the more alkalizing and mineral rich.

Cabbage: Powerful body-cleansing vegetable recommend often for weight loss. I'm sure you've heard of the "cabbage diet"

Beetroot: This is great vegetable that will add sweetness to your juice. Use sparingly.

Spinach: Rich in chlorophyll and minerals such as calcium, spinach is alkalizing and has numerous weight loss benefits.

Tomato: Helps reduce acid in body, and is beneficial for stimulating blood circulation, liver cleansing and blood purifying.

Watercress: Considered a powerful intestinal cleanser and toxin neutralizer and is good for the kidneys, bladder, blood circulation, cleansing the skin and said to stimulate fat burning.

Apple: This low glycemic fruit is known for a wide range of health benefits including supporting healthy blood-sugar levels.

Citrus Fruits: Grapefruits and Lemons in particular have gotten a lot of attention for it's role in weight loss support.