Yummm! Delicious Smoothies...

I think that one of my favorite jobs I've ever had was when I worked at Kozmo.com. And not only because that is where I met my wonderful husband-to-be (we fell in love many many years after the fact)... but because there was an AWESOME ASS Smoothie Cart that would sell fresh smoothies around the corner. It was the most fantastic and inexpensive treat to have for breakfast, lunch, or even as an after-work treat!

I became such a smoothie addict as a result. I love walking into health food stores and checking out their menu for smoothies... the more exotic, the better! I even like to make my own, which is how I got to assemble these great smoothie recipes. I haven't tried any of them yet (no blender.. wah!), but these are at the top of my "to make" list!

Pumpkin Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of canned pumpkin
• 1 cup fresh cut apricot or frozen.
• 1 tbs sugar
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1 pinch of cinnamon
• 1 pinch of nutmeg
• 1 cup of ice

Blend until creamy. Depending on your sweet tooth you may wish to add another tablespoon of sugar.

Raspberry Peach Smoothie

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups cashews, soaked 4-8 hours, discard soaking water
• 1 cup raspberries (frozen)
• 1 cup peaches (frozen)
• 2 tablespoon agave nectar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 ice cubes (if you want it colder)

Preparation:

1. Place cashews and water in a blender and process on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute
2. Add raspberries, peaches, agave and vanilla and blend until rich and smooth
3. Blend in ice cubes if desired
4. Serve in tall glasses

Serves 2

Mondo Mango Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup orange sherbet
• 1 banana
• 2 cups mango, sliced
• 2 cups ice
• 1 teaspoon lime juice

Place all ingredients (except the ice) in a blender. Blend on high speed for 30 seconds. Add the ice and blend until smooth.

Pina Colada Smoothie

1 cup pineapples(fresh or canned)
1 cup coconut meat
1 banana
1/2 cup coconut juice
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup ice

Directions:

Start by blending the juices with the banana until lightly slush. Add the coconut and pineapple and blend until smooth and fruit pieces are in small, edible pieces. Amounts of fruit juices can be changed according to preference.

Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

Ingredients:

Matcha green tea 1 tsp
Hot water ¼ cup
Banana ½
Coconut milk ½ cup
Low-fat cottage cheese ½ cup
Low-fat plain yogurt ½ cup
Vanilla whey protein 1 scoop
(equal to 25 g protein)
Pure vanilla extract 1 tsp
Ice 2 cups

Instructions:
Add matcha to 2 tbsp of hot water. Mix with a fork until matcha is completely dissolved. Add remaining hot water, stirring constantly. Combine all ingredients in a countertop blender. Blend on high until mixture is smooth and creamy.

Variations and Options:
To add a little zip to this already great smoothie, use ½ teaspoon fresh ginger (grated). If you are lactose intolerant or wish to avoid dairy, replace the ½ cup cottage cheese and ½ cup yogurt with ½ cup unsweetened soy milk and ½ cup water or ½ cup protein powder and ½ cup lactose-free, plain yogurt. Alternatively, you can substitute with non-cow’s milk dairy (e.g. goat’s milk).