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Make It Monday: Smoothies!

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So here we go – delving into the world of Smoothies!
(2 Smoothie Recipes)

Recently we’ve been trying to be healthier with out eating choices but some-days it can be hard to get the recommended number of fruit and vegetables into your daily routine. So we have decided, on those days, to fill the gap with a smoothie!

There are plenty of makes of blenders out there, but I have purchased a Breville Blend-Active Personal Blender, and so far there has been no issues with it. We were originally concerned that to detach it from the machine you have to turn it the same way that would also remove the lid but, I think, as long as you tighten the lid enough, it shouldn’t come off.

brevillesmoothie

I also purchased The Smoothie Recipe Book – 150 Smoothie Recipes at the same time, because, while experimenting can be fun it’s always nice to start with an example or two. These two recipes below are from that book.

Strawberry Go-Getter

(Found in the Kid-Friendly Smoothies Chapter)
The Smoothie has healthful carbs and B vitamins that provide quick energy combined with enough fiber to keep kids going for hours. It’s a lightly fruity and delicious treat!

10 Fresh strawberries, capped
1 banana, peeled
1/2 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup blueberries
1.2 cup plain/vanilla greek yogurt
(yields about two cups)

Fill-Me-Up Smoothie

(Found in the Weight-Loss Smoothies Chapter)
Grapefruit has long been associated with weight loss, and research backs it up. A combination of vitamin C and lots of fiber help you burn fat while staying full. The potassium and other minerals in the banana, plum, and spinach help with muscle recovery after a workout. Meanwhile, the fruity taste makes it perfectly suited for breakfast or a snack.

1 grapefruit, peeled and seeded
1 plum, pitted
1 banana, peeled
2 cups spinach
1/4 cup of Water
(yields about 3 cups)

Verdict on Strawberry Go-Getter – We didn’t actually have strawberries, so instead I replaced the strawberries with one large pear. It was still sweet and smooth. I can imagine strawberries would make it taste more like a milkshake.
One good tip I heard was – if you freeze certain fruit it makes it much colder. In this case I froze the blueberries. They still blend well but they act like ice-cubes. Even with the substitution it was yummy!

Verdict on Fill-Me-Up Smoothie – I wasn’t so keen on this. The grapefruit makes it very tart. I think I prefer the less acidic tasting smoothies. But the Husband loved it seems to be a hit with those who have less of a sweet tooth/like grapefruit.

Overall Verdict – I would recommend both the breville machine and the recipe book shown above. The chapters with The Smoothie Book seem to address some important areas and therefore give you a good idea of what you may need more of. I have listed the chapters below because I they were the main reason I chose this book over others.

  1. Breakfast Smoothies
  2. Smoothies That Nourish Your Brain
  3. Alkalizing Smoothies: Protect Your Bones and Kidneys
  4. Anit-aging Smoothies
  5. Anitoxidant Smoothies
  6. Cleansing Smoothies
  7. Diabetic Smoothies
  8. Digestive Health Smoothies
  9. High-Energy Smoothies
  10. Green Smoothies
  11. Healthful Skin
  12. Kid-Friendly Smoothies
  13. Low-Fat Smoothies
  14. Protein Smoothies
  15. Weight-Loss Smoothies

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