Ultimate Smoothie

    8 oz. fresh-squeezed orange juice
    2 mangos
    8 oz. fresh or frozen blueberries
    1 frozen banana
    2 tablespoon flax seeds
    1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Put all the ingredients in the Vita-Mix blender in the order listed and mix on high until fully blended.

Green Smoothies - The Ultimate Healthy Treat

How about adding a little green to your smoothies?  Check out:  http://www.veganfamilyliving.com/green-smoothie-power-for-you-and-your-family for some great tips and yummy recipes!

Zippy Pineapple - Carrot Smoothie

    4 oz. pineapple chunks
    8 oz. soy milk, any flavor
    1 carrot
    3 oz. pineapple juice
    1" piece ginger, peeled
    Honey - to taste

Place all ingredients in a Vita-Mix blender container and blend until everything is smooth. Add ice if you like it frosty. The ginger adds the "zip".

Banana Boost

If you are looking to get more fiber into your child's diet this is a great way to do it.  

    1 banana
    1/4 shredded wheat cereal (or other high fiber cereal)
    1/4 cup milk

 Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend.

Jello Smoothie

    4 oz. prepared Jello - any flavor
    4 oz. milk
    4 oz. sherbet - flavor should match the Jello flavor

Mix in a Vita-Mix blender.

Top with whipped cream and colored sugar.

Instant Breakfast Smoothie

We all have those mornings where we are running late and just don't have time to grab something to eat. This smoothie is quick to make and you will still be getting 'breakfast'. 

    10 oz. milk
    1 packet instant breakfast, preferably chocolate
    1 tablespoon peanut butter
    1 frozen banana
    3 ice cubes   

Pour milk into a Vita-Mix blender. Add remaining ingredients.

Put the Vita-Mix blender on blend till banana and ice are chopped up then whip it for about 5 seconds.

Sluggers’ Strawberry Slush

I know around here it's just about time for school to start and sports teams have begun their back to school practices. Here's a fun recipe to keep your kids cool. (This needs to be made the night before)  

    16 oz. can or bag frozen strawberries in syrup   
    2 cups apple juice
    16 ice cubes

Place all the ingredients into a blender and puree at high speed until the mixture turns slushy.  

Pour the drink into two plastic sports cups or other containers, filling to within once inch of the rims. Freeze overnight.

Remove the containers from the freezer just prior to leaving for practice.

When the beverage has thawed to a desired consistency, have your kids shake the cups vigorously. 

(Recipe found at Family Fun

Banana Split Smoothie

I love banana splits. We all know how fattening those are! I found a wonderful alternative - this banana split smoothie recipe. It calls for sweetened cocoa powder but I like using chocolate sauce instead. It also calls for non-fat milk and I replace that with 2% milk.

    8 oz. non-fat milk
    12 oz. frozen banana slices
    4 oz. pineapple chunks
    5 strawberries
    1 1/2 to 2 tbsp. sweetened cocoa (to taste)

Pour milk into the Vita-Mix blender first.

Add cocoa and then fruit.

Put cover on and blend until smooth. 

Arctic Forest Smoothie

I haven't tried this recipe yet but it sounds yummy! If you try this recipe I'd appreciate it if you would take a couple minutes and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it.    

    1 peach, frozen
    10 blueberries, frozen
    8 oz. light (reduced sugar) fat-free vanilla yogurt, frozen
    1/2 tablespoon 1% milk
    1/2 teaspoon crushed pecan
    pinch salt
    1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Put all ingredients into a Vita-Mix blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached! 

Honey Melon

Here's another recipe for the kids. If you want to serve it as a regular smoothie you can or you can turn it into smoothie popsicles. 

    1 cup chopped honey dew lemon pieces
    1/4 cup apple juice
    tablespoon honey

Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes.

Once you've blended the ingredients pour into popsicle molds and let freeze.  Don't have popsicle mods? You can also use an ice cube tray or even paper cups will work! (Fill cups or tray and when half frozen and slushy like insert a popsicle stick and leave until fully frozen).