Tis the season for incredible smoothies! Fresh fruits and berries abound at my produce stand and with temperatures rising I love to start the day with a cold, refreshing smoothie.

Ingredients:
1 banana, chopped
1 kiwi, peeled
½ apple, chopped
½ cup of frozen mixed berries
1 cup orange juice
½ cup soy milk
½ cup low fat plain yogurt
3 tbsp unsalted peanut butter
2 tbsp flaxseed oil

Method:
Combine the various fruits and orange juice in a blender and process everything until nice and smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until well mixed.

Enjoy this very healthy breakfast smoothie that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber and that will give you the best possible start to your day.

i love smoothies.  There are so many ways to change it up.  Try this option with some fresh berries left whole for a surprise.

Fruity Fun

3 peaches, stoned and cut into quarters
3 plums, stoned and cut in half
3 ripe pears, cored and roughly chopped
1 handful blueberries

Tip:  It is really up to you whether or not you peel the fruit. If you’re using organic fruits then it’s a good idea to leave the peel on as it contains lots of vitamins and nutrients.  If you’re using non-organic fruits, then it may be best to peel them before using.

Blend the peaches, plums and pears until smooth.  Divide the berries between two glasses and pour the smoothie over the berries.  Yum!

Change it up by adding some non-fat, soy, or rice milk to the blender fruit.  Throw in a scoop of protein powder and you have a complete meal!

Fruit Facts:

Peaches are a good source of vitamin C and are great for removing toxins from the body.
Plums are rich in bromelain, which can help the body digest protein.  Plums also provide a good source of antioxidants.
Pears are a great source of vitamin C and copper, antioxidants which protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals, great anti-aging food!
Blueberries provide a good source of zinc and antioxidants.

Pineapple Banana Mama

Half a pineapple, peeled and chopped
2 small bananas, peeled and chopped
1 peach, stoned and cut into quarters

Tip:  It is really up to you whether or not you peel the fruit. If you’re using organic fruits then it’s a good idea to leave the peel on as it contains lots of vitamins and nutrients.  If you’re using non-organic fruits, then it may be best to peel them before using.

Blend all the fruit until smooth and enjoy!  For a healthier smoothie try throwing a little spirulina powder or a few flax seeds before blending – these are great super foods and you’ll find them at your local health food store.

Fruit Facts:

Pineapples are great sources of thiamine and riboflavin which help produce energy… if you need a boost pineapple is a good choice.  Also high in vitamin C.
Bananas are rich in potassium are great for lowering high blood pressure, perfect at the end of a stressful day.
Peaches are a good source of vitamin C and are great for removing toxins from the body.

Tangy Watermelon

¼ of a small sized watermelon
Juice of one lemon

Tip:  Always use organic vegetables and fruit when juicing.  Non-organic vegetables contain large amounts of pesticides and other chemicals which are harmful to your body.

Juice according to juice instructions and enjoy!

Fruit & Veggie Facts:

Lemons are great for helping the body absorb iron.  Also a good source of Vitamin C.
Watermelon has been shown to help reduce the inflammation that may contribute to asthma, diabetes and arthritis.

Mango Melon Yum

1 mango, peeled, stoned and chopped
Half a cantaloupe, peeled and chopped

Blend the mango and cantaloupe until smooth and serve.  Turn it into a super smoothie by adding a little wheatgrass powder, available at your local health food store.

Fruit Facts:

Mangoes are great immune boosters since they provide lots of Vitamin C.  They also contain high levels of carotenoids, vitamin A, folate, potassium and fibre… and they taste good too!
Canteloupes contain betacarotene and Vitamin C which are great if for combating passive smoking.

Grape Power

Bunch of red grapes
2 stalks of celery

Tip:  Fruit juices are great for overall health.  At first it takes a little time to get used to the taste, but eventually you’ll get there…. Just think of all those health benefits!  Another tip is to mix your fruit juice with a little natural apple juice (juice apples along with the veggies) to give it a sweeter taste.

Juice according to juice instructions and enjoy!  Turn this juice into a super juice by adding a little spirulina powder, available at your health food store.

Fruit & Veggie Facts:

Grapes, particularly red grapes, provide a great amount of antioxidants.  The nutrients in grapes also help purify your glands and bloods.
Celery contains the compounds coumarins which may help prevent free radicals from damaging cells, which means it can help keep your cells health and strong.  Celery is also a great diuretic.