Smoothies, smoothies!

Smoothies are such a blessing when it comes to quick and healthy fixes. Breakfast or snack, they come in very handy, hydrating and nutritious. Try these three smoothies and rediscover the joy of fruit and vegetables blended with colorful ingredients. All in 5 minutes!








Courtesy of Eating Well:

1- "Get Your Orange" Flax Smoothie

Serving: 3 cups
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 
- 2 cups frozen peach slices

• - 1 cup carrot juice
• - 1 cup orange juice
• - 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (see Tip)
• - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger

Method: 

1. Combine peaches, carrot juice, orange juice, flaxseed and ginger in blender; blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Nutrition per serving: 209 calories; 4 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 5 g protein; 6 g fiber; 38 mg sodium; 964 mg potassium.


2- Tofu Tropic Smoothie

Serving: 3 and a half cups
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
- 2 cups diced frozen mango

• - 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
• - 3/4 cup silken tofu
• - 1/4 cup lime juice
• - 1 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest 

Method: 

1. Combine mango, pineapple juice, tofu, lime juice and lime zest in a blender; blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Nutrition per serving: 254 calories; 3 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 54 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 6 g protein; 3 g fiber; 10 mg sodium; 714 mg potassium.

3- Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie  

Serving: 1 serving
Time: 5 minutes (1 hour with freezing time)

Ingredients: 
- 1 banana

• - 1/2 cup silken tofu
• - 1/2 cup soymilk
• - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• - 1 tablespoon honey

Method: 

1. Slice banana and freeze until firm. Blend tofu, soymilk, cocoa and honey in a blender until smooth. With the motor running, add the banana slices through the hole in the lid and continue to puree until smooth.

Nutrition per serving: 340 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 60 g carbohydrates; 17 g protein; 10 g fiber; 121 mg sodium; 749 mg potassium.

Source: 
Eating Well:
- http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/orange_flax_smoothie.html
- http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/tofu_tropic_smoothie.html
- http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/banana_cocoa_soy_smoothie.html