Carrot Smoothie

 1 cup sliced carrots

1/2 tsp finely shredded orange peel

1 cup orange juice

1 1/2 cups ice cubes

3 (1 inch) pieces orange peel curls

1.  In a covered small saucepan, cook carrots in a small amount of boilig water about 15 minutes or until very tender.  Drain well. Cool.

2.  Place drained carrots in a blender.  Add finely shredded orange peel and orange juice .  Cover and blend until smooth  Add ice cubes; cover and blend until smooth.  Pour into glasses.  If desired, garnish with orange peel curls.

Serves 3

Peaches and Cream Smoothie

 Yield: 1-2 serving

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup plain yogurt

3/4 cup milk

1 small ripe peach (or 1/2 cup frozen peaches, thawed and softened)

1/2 medium banana

pinch of salt

1-2 Tbsp protein powder (whey or soy), optional 

1.  Gather all ingredients.

2.  Combine ingredients in a blender 

3.  Store in a container in your refrigerator overnight of making ahead of time n the morning, add last 1/4 cup milk, more if you need it to blend smoothly.

Green Smoothie

2 heads romaine lettuce
1/2 cup spinach
1/2 cup coconut water
1 whole banana
1 whole apple
1 whole pear
1 whole lemon
celery (optional)
almond butter (optional)

Mix together in a blender

Recipe: from Reese Witherspoon

Anti Inflammatory Green Smoothie

Serves 2

2 ½ -3 cups (packed) organic spinach leaves

½ cup fresh parsley

1 small organic lemon (or half or a med/large)

1 cups frozen pineapple chunks

1 cup frozen mango or frozen sliced overripe bananas

1/2-3/4 cup cucumber, rough cut in large chunks (unpeeled, seeds intact)

1-1 ½ Tbsp flax meal or 2-3 Tbsp hemp seeds

small piece of fresh ginger (peeling optional), about ½ Tbsp

¾-1 cup water (adjust as needed)

1. Add all ingredients (starting with ¾ cup water) to a blender.
2. Puree for a minute or more, to desired consistency, and adding extra water if needed to blend or for thinner smoothies, blending time will depend on type of blender used.
3. Taste, and adjust with additional fruit or other add-ins as desired.
4. Serve!

Immersion Blender Smoothie

½ cup orange juice

½ cup frozen blueberries

½ cup frozen strawberries

½ cup baby spinach

½ cup vanilla yogurt

2 Tbsp honey

2 tsp chia seeds

3 sprigs of mint

1 cup ice

Mix together in immersion blender.

Morning Green Smoothie

1 banana
5 ice cubes (a handful, I don't actually count)
1/2 cup orange juice (just pour a little in - no measuring required)
2 large spoonfuls of plain Greek Yogurt
Fill the rest of the blender up with unpacked Kale (3 cups?)

Triple Berry Blast

1 cup frozen mixed berries
1 cup soy milk ( do not use vanilla-flavored soy milk because it will make this smoothie too sweet)
1/2 cup sliced banana
2 tsp. honey

Combine berries, soy milk, banana and honey in blender.  Blend about 30 seconds or until smooth and thick.  Pour into 2 sugar-dipped glasses.  Serve immediately.

Makes 2 (10 oz.) servings

Banana-Pineapple Breakfast Shake

2 cups plain fat-free yogurt
1 can (8oz.) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 ripe medium banana
8 packets sugar substitute
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup ice cubes

Place yogurt, pineapple, banana, sugar substitute, vanilla, nutmeg and ice into blender.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into 4 serving glasses.
Makes 4 servings

Note:  This recipe is perfect for a brunch, a party or another special occasion.  Make as many batches as you need to serve everyone.

Fruit 'n Juice Breakfast Shake

1 extra-ripe, medium banana
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Combine all ingredients in blender.  Process until smooth.
Makes 2 servings

Banana Split Shakes

1 small ripe banana
1/2 cup fat-free (skim) milk
5 maraschino cherries, drained, plus additional for garnish
1 Tbsp. light chocolate syrup
1/8 tsp. coconut extract
4 cups low-fat chocolate frozen yogurt

Combine banana, milk, cherries, chocolate syrup and coconut extract in blender; blend until smooth.  Add yogurt, 1 cup at a time.  Blend after each addition until smooth and thick.  Pour into 4 glasses.  Garnish with additional maraschino cherries.
Makes 4 servings

Note:  For a low-fat shake, chop 3 large peeled bananas.  Place in resealable food storage bag and freeze until solid.  Blend with milk, cherries, chocolate syrup and coconut extract.  Omit frozen yogurt.

Strawberry, Mango and Yogurt Smoothie

1 1/4 cups apple juice
1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
2 cups fresh or frozen mango chunks

In a blender combine all ingredients and puree until smooth.  Serves 2

You can substitute orange juice for apple juice.
Recipe from Martha Stewart