Smoothies:

Fresh fast healthy juice and smoothies are in demand and lots of juice bars specializing in just "drinkable meals" have been opening up all over the place. Some fast food franchises have even started serving up "smoothies." (unfortunately they are high in fat and sugar, be careful for smoothie impostors that serve to be nothing more than a fruity milkshake or slushy!)

You can make inexpensive fresh smoothies at home in your blender  without the added sugar and dairy. You can freeze your own fresh fruit all summer long or buy it frozen. Don't buy sweetened frozen fruit, like strawberries in syrup. You'll also want to freeze peeled bananas and keep them on hand. Experiment with blending different fruit combos, add apple juice, OJ to blend frozen fruits. For a creamy smoothie add some organic milk (soy, rice, almond, oat or cows milk).

Here are some of our favorites:

• Frozen peaches, banana, apple juice, rice milk
• Frozen strawberries, banana, apple juice, rice milk
• Frozen Mixed berries, banana, apple juice, rice milk
• Frozen Orange juice (Freeze OJ in ice cube trays, Frozen banana, can of unsweetened pineapple, splash of OJ for blending

We also add a few tablespoons of pure maple syrup or honey to our smoothies if we want them extra sweet. I have found rice milk works best for our smoothies as soy tends to be very rich. We also use part rice and part soy milk in our blends.

Smoothie Boosters:
If you'd like you can add in a smoothie booster. Probiotics, ground flax seeds, flax seed oil, protein powder and immune system boosters are all examples. You can find these powdered at health food stores to add extra nutrient's to your drink.