Refreshing Smoothies

Wow! The books you come across that you forget you ever had! I found this book called "Smoothies: 50 Recipes For High-Energy Refreshment" while unpacking. Here are three recipes that are excellent.

To have my fruit prepared in advance, I peeled the bananas and quartered the strawberries and froze them in plastic bags. This makes it much easier to quickly make the smoothie since all ingredients are ready to go.

Smoothie Classico

1 cup orange juice
1 cup hulled and quartered fresh strawberries, frozen
2 fresh bananas, frozen and sliced

Pour the orange juice into a blender. Add the strawberries and bananas. Blend until smooth. Serves 2.

I love the combination of flavors in this one. Very refreshing!

Per 12 oz serving: 145 calories; 0.9 g total fat; 0 g cholesterol; 35.3 g carbohydrates; 3.6 g fiber; 2.1 g protein; 3 mg sodium; 658 mg potassium; 28 mg calcium; 0.7 mg iron; 327 i.u. vitamin A; 108 mg vitamin C.

Banana Latte

1 cup soy milk (I used Almond milk)
3/4 cup strong-brewed coffee or espresso, room temperature or chilled
2 fresh bananas, frozen and sliced
6 to 8 ice cubes
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder for garnish
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon for garnish

Combine the milk and coffee in blender. Add the bananas. Blend until smooth. With the blender running, add ice cubes until they are incorporated and the desired consistency is reached. Pour into tall glasses and sprinkle with cocoa powder and cinnamon. Serves 2.

This taste great after a long walk in hot, humid weather!

Per 12 oz serving: 112 calories; 2.8 g total fat; 0 g cholesterol; 20.6 g carbohydrates; 3.8 g fiber; 4.3 g protein; 17 mg sodium; 526 mg potassium; 16 mg calcium; 1.2 mg iron; 99 i.u. vitamin A; 7 mg vitamin C.

Jitterbug

1 cup strong-brewed coffee, room temperature or chilled
2 cups nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt (I used Soy-Dream Chocolate Fudge Brownie non-dairy frozen dessert)
2 fresh bananas, frozen and sliced
1 tablespoon hazelnut-flavored syrup ( I didn't have any so I used Hazelnut Kahlua)

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serves 2.

Absolutely delicious!

Per 12 oz serving: 271 calories; .04 g total fat; 0 g cholesterol; 56.4 g carbohydrates; 1.9 g fiber; 8.1 g protein; 12 mg sodium; 378 mg potassium; 111 mg calcium; 0.7 mg iron; 216 i.u. vitamin A; 8 mg vitamin C.