Great Starts...How About a Smoothie?

A Note From The Bonnie Lass:  This is not an endorsement of, or advertisement for, any nutritional product or company.  I am simply sharing my personal expereinces here with products that I have used.  If you use a product not mentioned here...GREAT!...keep using it!  I firmly believe that with the lack of nutritional value in our diets today, along with the depletion of nutrients from our soils reducing the nutritional value of the foods we grow, everyone needs nutritional support in the form of supplementation on a daily basis for optimal health and wellness. :)


My family takes a nutritional supplement called Reliv that we have had amazing results with.  I use the Reliv as a basis for my smoothie recipes since Reliv is consumed in shake form, but you can use the protein powder of your choice in these recipes.  For those who have little or no experience with protein powders,  I am a big supporter of and a believer in the nutritional quality of Reliv, but over the years I have also used (and liked) several others...my two favorites being Nature's Plus Spiru-Tein powder (found online and at most health food stores) and EAS brand protein powder (found at most retailers like GNC and Walmart). Most of my recipes use either chocolate or vanilla flavored powder. :)  I know there are also several other companies that offer nutrition in shake form...whatever one you choose you need to consume it daily to really make a difference in your health and wellness.  Varying the taste and textures will keep you from getting bored. :)

I am going to list the ingredients for several different smoothies by name.  The directions for making them are the same for all. :)

Ingredients

Jimmy's Favorite Smoothie (contains peanuts)
1 scoop Reliv chocolate Kid's NOW (or chocolate flavored powder of your choice)
6-8 oz. skim milk
a handful of frozen raspberries
1 tsp. peanut butter

Cookies and Cream

8 oz. cold water
1 serving vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup Cool Whip lite
6 ice cubes
3 chocolate wafer cookies

Sparkling Orange Smoothie

8 oz. diet orange soda
6 oz. light or fat free orange-flavored yogurt
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 orange, peeled
6 ice cube

Blackberry Smoothie
8 oz cold water or skim milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 Tbsp frozen OJ concentrate
10 frozen blackberries
3 ice cubes

Apple Pie A la Mode Smoothie

6 oz unsweetened apple juice
2 oz cold water
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 tsp butter buds
1/4 tsp cinnamon
6 ice cubes
2 Tbsp lite cool whip for garnish, sprinkle with additional Cinnamon

Frosted Key Lime Pie
8 oz cold water
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
3 Tbsp limeade concentrate
6 ice cubes

Strawberry Banana Smoothie
8 oz cold water or skim milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (or use chocolate if you like chocolate covered strawberries or banana :)
1 small banana
6 frozen strawberries

Pina Colada Smoothie
8 oz cold water or skim milk
1 scoop vanilla powder
2-3 Tbsp. crushed pineapple
1-2 drops coconut extract


Directions

Mix all ingredients in blender or bullet (highly recommend the single serve bullet blenders..I have a GE that I love!)
Serve and Enjoy.

Notes: To totally open up your smoothie world, try adding a 4-6 oz container of flavored fat free yogurt along with your shake powder and a little water or milk....the possibilities are endless with all the yummy flavors of yogurt today. As always....keeping frozen fruit on hand is a great way to add additional flavor or give your shake a frozen feel....simply add a handful of frozen fruit of your choice (strawberries, raspberries, peaches, blueberries, etc.) to your shake and enjoy! :)