Smoothies make a great quick breakfast or snack…and my kids love them! Plus, they’re a great way to get extra fruit into your diet! So fire up those blenders and get to it!!! Enjoy!

Rise ‘N Raspberry Smoothie
-recipe from The Little Black Book of Smoothies by Ruth Cullen

Makes 2 10-ounce smoothies or 1 big smoothie.

You can’t go wrong with this tangy-sweet, berry blend. Add 1 tablespoon rolled oats or wheat germ for added texture and taste.

1 cup chilled orange juice
1/2 cup non-fat raspberry yogurt
1/2 frozen banana*
1-1/2 cups frozen raspberries

Pour orange juice into blender and add yogurt, banana, and raspberries. Blend at high speed until smooth.

*Buy golden yellow bananas without any visible bruises, and prepare for freezing by removing peel and slicing. (One cup of sliced banana is approximately 1 whole banana.)

Tags: Breakfast, raspberry, smoothie, snack

Although the weather here in Portland is cold and drizzly, I’m not letting that stop me from dreaming about sandy beaches, warm breezes, palm trees, and fruity drinks. This Layered Fruit Smoothie is a perfect example of that: a lime-kissed mango smoothie topped off with a layer of refreshing strawberry smoothie. It’s a healthy, fun and creative way of getting a few servings of fruit!

I used plain non-fat yogurt and frozen mangoes and strawberries. The smoothie was good but I know it would be even better with perfectly ripe mangoes and strawberries. The squeeze of lime juice and little bit of freshly-grated lime zest adds a lot of flavor and tropical flair to the mango portion of the smoothie.

Layered Fruit Smoothie
-recipe from The Sunset Cookbook (Oxmoor House, 2010)

If island-inspired cocktails warm your soul, this smoothie might just tip your taste buds over the edge. Blend mango, yogurt, honey, lime juice, lime zest, and ice until smooth; do the same with the banana, strawberries, yogurt, honey, ice, and lemon juice and zest. Pour the mango smoothie into a glass and layer the strawberry-banana mixture on top for a drink that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your stomach. Makes two smoothies (serving size: 2 cups)

1 mango (peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped)
1 1/4 cups plain low-fat yogurt
4 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
1 banana (peeled, and chopped)
10 medium strawberries (washed, and hulled)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

In a blender, whirl the mango; 3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 2 tablespoons honey; the fresh lime juice; 2 ice cubes; and the freshly grated lime zest until smooth. Divide mango-lime smoothie between 2 straight-sided glasses and set aside.

Rinse blender, then whirl the banana; the strawberries; 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 2 tablespoons honey; the fresh lemon juice; 2 ice cubes; and the freshly grated lemon zest until smooth. Layer banana-strawberry smoothie onto mango smoothie, gently spooning mixture around inside edge of each glass to create a clean horizontal line.

Tags: fruit, fruit smoothie, layered fruit smoothie, lime juice, mango smoothie, plain yogurt, smoothie, strawberry smoothie

This refreshing tropical smoothie has just a hint of lemon flavor and is a perfect summertime snack or quick breakfast. The frozen banana and mango chunks make it thick without watering down the flavor like ice does.

Morning Mango Smoothie
-from the Little Black Book of Smoothies

The perfect breakfast for mango lovers!
Makes 1 smoothie.

1 cup chilled mango juice
3/4 cup low-fat lemon yogurt
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup frozen mango chunks

Pour mango juice into blender and add yogurt, banana, and mango. Blend at high speed until smooth.

Tags: beverage, Breakfast, mango, smoothie, snack

Some mornings I just don’t have time to make a big deal about breakfast. That’s why I love smoothies. You make it, slurp it down, then you’re on to the next thing. Husband bought me The Little Black Book of Smoothies several years ago and I’ve enjoyed trying many of it’s smoothie concoctions. The Strawberry Sunrise Smoothie is one of my favorites. The ingredients can be found at just about any grocery store and are easy to keep stocked up on. The recipe calls for wheat germ, which is loaded with vitamins and minerals including folic acid, iron, zinc and vitamin E (among others); while bananas are a good source of potassium and fiber.

Strawberry Sunrise Smoothie
-from The Little Black Book of Smoothies by Ruth Cullen

Buy golden yellow bananas without any visible bruises, and prepare for freezing by removing peel and slicing. A half cup of sliced banana is approximately a half banana.

1 cup chilled orange juice
1/2 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 frozen banana
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Pour orange juice into blender and add yogurt, banana, wheat germ, and strawberries. Blend at high speed until smooth. For extra sweetness, add 1 tablespoon honey. Makes approximately 2 servings.

Tags: banana, Breakfast, smoothie, snack, strawberry, wheat germ