Recipes for Smoothies, Including Chocolate Peppermint and Pumpkin Pie Varieties

Nothing says “healthy” like a smoothie. Whether you’re on a diet, need a quick “pick-me-up,” or just tired of the same-old sodas, a smoothie can be a refreshing treat. Here are my 5 favorite smoothie recipes.

1. Strawberry Orange Smoothie. �½ cup chopped strawberries, �½ cup orange juice, �½ cup crushed ice, �¼ teaspoon honey. Combine strawberries, orange juice, ice, and honey in blender. Blend until smooth. Garnish with sliced strawberries.

2. Pina Colada Smoothie. 1 cup frozen pineapple pieces, 1 frozen banana (peel banana before freezing,) �¾ cups milk, �½ cup frozen vanilla or strawberry yogurt, �½ cup orange juice, 3 tablespoons coconut. Combine all ingredients together and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

3. Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie. 6 cups fat free or skim chocolate milk, one 4-serving size pkg. instant vanilla or chocolate pudding mix, �¼ teaspoon peppermint extract, Peppermint sticks. In a blender container combine half of the chocolate fat free skim milk and the pudding mix. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into a pitcher. Stir in remaining chocolate milk and peppermint extract. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. To serve, stir mixture, pour into glasses. Garnish each serving with a peppermint stick.

4. Tropical Five Fruit Smoothie. 1 large banana, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces, 2 kiwi fruit, peeled and quartered, �½ cup peeled and diced mango, �½ cup peeled and diced papaya, 1cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 3 ice cubes. Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

5. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. One 15 oz. can pure pumpkin pie filling, one 12 oz. can evaporated milk, one 8 oz. container vanilla low fat yogurt, �¼ cup sugar, �¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 3 ice cubes, whipped cream for topping. Combine everything (except whipped topping) into the blender and blend until smooth. Top off each glass with dollop of whipped cream.

Add a tablespoon of your favorite protein powder, and voilaâÂ?¦ an added boost. Smoothies aren’t just for summer, either. You can serve them at your next holiday party (the chocolate peppermint ones are great for that) or if you just need a decadent treat that’s not going to annihilate your caloric intake for the day. In some cases, you can get a full day’s supply of fruits in one smoothie. Plus, they taste so good, you’ll never miss what you’re giving upâÂ?¦ a larger dress size. Enjoy!