Making Smoothies

Fruit smoothies are a great healthy drink for breakfast, especially after a brisk workout or as a sweet treat in the evening.

• A smoothie is basically a blended fruit drink. All that's required is a blender, a few basic ingredients and a little time.

• All smoothies start out with a base of liquid. This can be a fruit juice such as apple juice, milk or another liquid.

• Next add some fruit. Fresh fruit works the best, but frozen can be used as well and will result in a thicker smoothie. Make a frostier drink by freezing fresh fruit before making a smoothie.

• Smoothies are best when they're fresh out of the blender, but they can be frozen the night before, too. Leave some room in the cup to allow for the smoothie to expand when frozen, and remove from the freezer about an hour before drinking.

Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

10 to 12 oz. apple juice
4 oz. frozen strawberries
2 to 3 oz. crushed ice

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend for about 30 seconds, then serve. A smoothie should have about the same consistency as a milkshake. If it's too thin, add more fruit or ice.

Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients:

12 oz. apple juice
2 oz. frozen strawberries
2 oz. frozen blueberries
2 oz. frozen banana chunks
2 oz. frozen non-fat yogurt
1 oz. of protein powder.

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.