Summertime is just around the corner…Soon it will be time to pull out that old blender and mix up some tasty concoctions…How about adding a little health kick into your summer drink creations with frozen fruit and low fat yogurt. These smoothie recipes are sure to be the life of your next party or whenever you feel like ‘gettin your smoothie on’…

Tropical Getaway (Makes 3 servings of 3/4 cup per serving)

Wanna get away for a little while? This island treat is sure to put your mind in vacation mode, even if you have no time for a real vacation!!!

Ingredients

1 cup cubed fresh or canned pineapple1 banana, sliced1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt1/3 cup frozen passion fruit concentrate1/2 cup water2 ice cubes1 tablespoon wheat bran or oat bran (optional)

Method

Combine pineapple, banana, tofu (or yogurt), passion fruit concentrate, water, ice cubes and wheat bran (or oat bran), if using, in a blender; cover and blend until creamy. Serve immediately.

Nutrition information: Per serving: 109 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono);

0 mg cholesterol; 21 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber;26 mg sodium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (40% daily value).1 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings

Sunny Strawberry Patch (Makes 2 servings of about 1 cup per serving)

This smoothie is what summer is all about… Strawberries are at their sweetest peak during the summer months!!!

Ingredients

1 cup fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled, or frozen strawberries, partially thawed1 cup buttermilk1/2 cup frozen cranberry juice concentrate2 ice cubes, crushed1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Method

Combine strawberries, buttermilk, cranberry juice concentrate and crushed ice in a blender; cover and blend until smooth and frothy. Sweeten with sugar, if desired. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 206 calories; 1 g fat (1 g sat, 0 g mono);

4 mg cholesterol; 47 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 1 g fiber; 101 mg sodium; 249 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (127% daily value). 3 Carbohydrate Servings

Mango Madness (Makes 2 servings of 3/4 cup per serving)

This tantalizing treat that will make your taste buds jump for joy!!!!

Ingredients1 cup chopped peeled mango1/3 cup peach sorbet1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt1/4 cup orange juice Place ingredients in the order listed in a blender. Pulse twice to chop mango, stir well, then blend until smooth. Serve immediately. NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 170 calories; 0 g total fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono);

1 mg cholesterol; 40 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber;44 mg sodium; 330 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (70% daily value), Vitamin A (15% dv).2 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings

Berry-Banana squeeze (Makes 3 servings of 1 cup per serving) Berries and banana lovers, this is the drink for you!!!!!!!! The creamy texture and perfect mix of berries and banana is sure to satisfy Sweet tooth cravings!!! Ingredients:1 1/4 cups orange juice1 ripe medium banana, peeled and sliced1 cup frozen blueberries, blackberries or raspberries1/2 cup silken tofu or low fat yogurt2 ice cubes, crushed 1 tablespoon sugar (optional) Combine orange juice, banana, berries, tofu and crushed ice in a blender; cover and blend until smooth and frothy. Sweeten with sugar, if desired. Serve immediately. NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 135 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono);

0 mg cholesterol; 27 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 19 mg sodium; 376 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (93% daily value).2 Carbohydrate Servings

Morning Goodness (Makes 3 servings of 1 cup per serving)

This breakfast smoothie is a great way to start to day, and it will keep you feeling full until lunch time rolls around!!!

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups orange juice, preferably calcium-fortified1 banana1 1/4 cups frozen berries, such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and/or strawberries1/2 cup low-fat silken tofu or low-fat plain yogurt1 tablespoon sugar or Splenda Granular (optional) Combine orange juice, banana, berries, tofu (or yogurt) and sugar (or Splenda), if using, in a blender; cover and blend until creamy. Serve immediately. NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 139 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 28 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 4 g fiber;19 mg sodium; 421 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (110% daily value), Fiber (16% dv).2 Carbohydrate Servings

I hope you’ve enjoyed ‘gettin your smoothie on’ with me…Stay tuned for more delicious recipes and mixed drink instructionals coming soon.