Banner
   
   
   
       
   
 

October 4, 2011

Green your smoothie!

You know how much we at HL&S love smoothies. And last week, we told you how to sneak extra fiber into your diet by blending wheat bran into a fruit smoothie.

Last night, one of our staff member’s father told us another way to sneak a helping of fiber into a smoothie: by greening it!

Yes, it may sound appalling, but adding a small helping of collard greens to a fruit smoothie goes a long way in helping you get the vegetable servings you need in any given day. And though it turns a bright green color, it’s actually really great for you and has a very subtle taste. Throw in a little honey if the smoothie isn’t sweet enough for you, though the fruit should take care of that on its own. Peanut butter usually does the trick as well.

You can also start experimenting with other greens – avocados, kale, you name it!

April 7, 2011

Fruit smoothie…er…soup

Filed under: Healing Lifestyles Blog — Tags: , , , — Healing Lifestyles & Spas Team @ 8:00 am

Fruit soup, courtesy of the Oaks at Ojai

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups mashed fresh fruits

Recommended:  strawberries, peaches, melons, mango, papaya, blueberries in any combination—preferably fruit in season (mix and match!)

1 ½ cups low fat buttermilk

Combine in a blender and process to liquefy.

This recipe is super easy and super healthy. It’s technically called a fruit soup, but it’s similar to a fruit smoothie we make every morning anyway. And let me tell you, it’s a perfect start to your day!

If you use seasonal ripe fruit, no sweetener should be needed.  We added some banana, the cornerstone of every great smoothie. I think we can afford the extra calories with this one! (there’s less than 50 in it)

Another suggestion for fresh fruit:  use fresh or frozen mango, pineapple and banana and process in your food processor until creamy—delicious with a squeeze of lemon or lime combined with it. That way, no ice is necessary for blender traction.

We added some frozen strawberries, fresh blueberries and fresh raspberries. Then I added plain greek yogurt (I normally use vanilla for a sweeter smoothie) and 2% milk.  Blend and serve…super easy.

Smoothie Time!

Other suggestions that I have for this are to substitute real juice for the milk (I stick with 100% Juicy Juice) or add natural peanut butter for some extra protein and a more filling consistency.  Also, any fruit combo will do for this but my favorites are strawberry banana peach, banana blueberry, strawberry banana pineapple, and the usual mixed berries.

The smoothie was, of course, delicious. Nice and creamy, filling and energizing.

We just wish we would have had some mint to garnish it with!