Smoothies

Summer is here. Despite the rain. As I get myself ready for a cross-country adventure, I find myself desperately avoiding the grocery store so as not to waste any food. So, summertime smoothies it is.

Here are some awesome recipes I've come across that I figured I'd share. They're from the Wholeliving.com website, and love or hate Martha, they're pretty darn good. (And I'm not much of a smoothie person, but I thought these were all pretty delicious.)

Banana-Peanut Butter Smoothie

1 ripe banana
1 cup low-fat milk
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.

Serves 2. Per serving: 356 calories; 4 g saturated fat; 13 g unsaturated fat; 6 mg cholesterol; 43 g carbs; 202 mg sodium; 13 g protein; 3.5 g fiber.

Chocolate-Almond Smoothie

1 ripe banana
1 cup low-fat milk
1/4 cup almond butter
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.

Serves 2. Per serving: 346 calories; 3 g saturated fat; 17 g unsaturated fat; 6 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbs; 196 mg sodium; 11 g protein; 4.5 g fiber.

Chamomile-Banana Smoothie

1 cup strong chamomile tea, room temperature
1 ripe banana
1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
2 tablespoons maple syrup

1. Freeze chamomile tea in an ice cube tray.
2. Combine with remaining ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.

Serves 2. Per serving: 183 calories; 1 g saturated fat; 1 g unsaturated fat; 7 mg cholesterol; 36 g carbs; 89 mg sodium; 7 g protein; 2 g fiber.

Blueberry and Green Tea Smoothie

1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2 cups green tea, room temperature
1 tablespoon agave nectar

1. Divide blueberries between compartments of an ice cube tray. Fill with green tea and freeze.
2. Puree in blender with remaining green tea and agave.

Serves 2. Per serving: 50 calories; 0 g saturated fat; 0 g unsaturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 13 g carbs; 0 mg sodium; 0 g protein; 1 g fiber.

Kale, Pineapple, and Almond Milk Smoothie
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (preferably homemade)
1 cup packed chopped kale
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup diced pineapple
1 banana

Directions

Puree ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Green Machine Smoothie


Ingredients

6 romaine leaves, chopped
4 kale leaves, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley sprigs
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 cup chopped mango
1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

Directions

Combine romaine, kale, parsley, pineapple, mango, ginger, and 1 1/2 cups water in a blender and blend until smooth.

Pear, Oat, Ginger, Cinnamon Shake

2 1/2 medium to large pears, such as red Anjou, peeled, seeded, and chopped (2 2/3 cups)
1 3/4 cups skim milk
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2/3 cup rolled or quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup ice cubes
2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 1/4 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish
Coarse salt

Directions

Freeze pears in a single layer on a baking sheet overnight.

Combine pears, milk, buttermilk, oats, ice, maple syrup, almond butter, ginger, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a blender. Blend on low speed, then gradually increase speed to high. Blend until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour into chilled glasses, and garnish with ground cinnamon. Serve immediately.

Banana Oat Smoothie

Ingredients

1 ripe banana
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 teaspoons flaxseeds
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup ice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth



Cheers!