It has been a little while since my last post, been working on some new smoothie recipes for you!  I wanted to share a recipe we got from one of our facebook fans, Donna Johnson.  This is what is in Donna’s blender today: 

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The holidays may be over, but I still have a freezer full of cranberries. Loaded with phytochemicals and antioxidants, the low-glycemic cranberry is a fruit that shouldn’t be put away with the ornaments as soon as you’re sick of holiday carols…

As always with my shakes, the measurements are approximate and adjust to taste.

• 1/2 cup washed, frozen cranberries
• 1 serving of vanilla protein powder
• Almond flavoring: a splash of sugar-free almond syrup, sugar-free Almond Roca syrup or about 1 tsp almond extract
• Stevia extract if needed for additional sweetness
• Liquid: Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze, milk or non-dairy milk – just enough to blend if you want a thick shake
• 5-10 ice cubes
• Optional: 1/4 tsp guar gum plus 1/8 tsp xanthan gum to help thicken and emulsify the shake

Blend all ingredients and adjust ice cubes and liquid to desired thickness. Enjoy!

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allie, almond, antioxidant, blender, blendtec, crandberry, fitness, fruit, health, healthy, nutrition, Pimp My Protein Shake, protein, smoothie, supplements, whey, workout, Zola

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I find that one of the best ways to get back on the healthy eating circuit after a long couple of weeks of holiday goodies is to get a bunch of high quality, fresh produce back in the kitchen. Away with the cookies and bring on the carrots!

If you’re looking to detox, refresh and start anew, try this amazing veggie juice blend.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup apple juice
• 1 watermelon daikon chopped
• ½ carrot peeled and chopped
• ½ cucumber peeled and chopped
• 1 apple sliced into eighths and cored
• ¼ cup parsley
• ½ celery chopped
• ¼ cup ice

Place all ingredients in your Blendtec or juicer and blend em up! Enjoy.

What’s in your blender today? Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com; and follow me on Twitter @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blendtec, cleanse, cucumber, detox, fruit juice, healthy juice, healthy resolutions, holidays, juice cleanse, juicer, juicing, New Year's resolutions, overeating, refresh, surfing, vegetables, veggie, veggie juice, yoga, Zola Açaí

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After a few attempts, I think I’ve finally come up with the perfect recipe that both my wife and kids enjoyed.

• 1 cup organic canned pumpkin purée
• 1 cup soy or almond milk
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup (maple will also work)
• 1/3 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2/3 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice
• Whipped cream and cinnamon as garnish

Put all ingredients in a blender except for the whipped cream.  Once smooth, pour in a glass, garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon.

What’s in your blender today? Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com; Twitter @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: baking with family, blender, blender diaries, Halloween, healthy smoothies, holiday recipes, in the kitchen, indulgent smoothies, kitchen, smoothie, smoothie recipes, smoothies for kids, trick or treat

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Please enjoy her latest post on the benefits of smoothies:

Don’t wait until January 1^st to set a healthy resolution; get a head start and challenge yourself to drink a nutritious smoothie each day.

A daily nutrient-rich smoothie will ensure your body gets the nourishment it needs in a whole food form. As a personal culinary nutritionist, I do not suggest smoothies a                       supplement to whole food or as a meal, instead I recommend smoothies as a form of liquid that will help take strain off your digestive system, providing greater energy throughout your day.

Acai fruit smoothies are becoming increasingly popular as my clients look for natural cleansing options.  Acai berries have been known to have both restorative and preventive health benefits; smoothies have created an easy and fun way to enjoy this superfruit and reap the nutritious benefits right in your kitchen.

I enjoy creating my own Zola Acai Green Smoothies, which are fruit smoothies blended with fresh greens, fruits and Zola Acai.  I opt for lettuce, celery, kale, chard, apples, pears and bananas for a tasty and unique Zola Acai smoothie.  Green Smoothies are packed with alkaline minerals, chlorophyll, vitamins and antioxidants; they become easier to digest when they are blended.  My Zola Acai Green Smoothies increase energy, improve mood, stabilize blood sugar, reduce bad food cravings and improved dental health.  They are also chock full of live enzymes, phytonutrients and antioxidants.  Moreover, many of my clients who have added Zola Acai Smoothies to their Standard American Diet ‘SAD’ report more energy, normalized blood sugar, reduced craving for caffeine and coffee and regular bowl movements.

Here are a few of my favorite Zola Acai ‘Add-In’ Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. Seeds: (ground flax, hemp, chia, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame)
• 1 banana
• 1 pear, cored
• 1 Tbsp. grated ginger
• 2 Tbsp. Wheat germ
• 2 Tbsp. Bee pollen
• Low fat Greek  yogurt
• ¼ cup all-natural nut butter (almond, peanut, macadamia, etc.)
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
• Zola Acai Juice- any flavor
• Romaine lettuce leaves
• Kale leaves
• 1 Tbsp. tahini or hummus
• Fresh herbs

There are essentially limitless possibilities to making smoothies.  Experiment with Zola Acai Juices and mix n’ match your favorite nuts, grains, fresh herbs and green vegetables to create your very own Zola Masterpiece.

As you continue to enjoy your Zola Smoothies you’ll be yearning to blend one up every day.  Your body will get accustomed to receiving good nutrition and will naturally want you to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.  Be sure to use the freshest ingredients possible when you are making your smoothie.  I enjoy mixing my Zola Acai with ice, a ripe avocado, chia seeds, fresh spinach, Greek yogurt and fresh mint, yum!

Be sure to rotate your ingredients and add variety to your smoothies by choosing a new seed, vegetable,  nut, juice or grain each week.  By changing the ingredients you will fill your body with a greater variety of nutrients and keep your taste buds happy with new flavors and textures.

Smoothies are not just for adults, you can easily whip up a nutritious smoothie for the kids, as well.  Smoothies are a wonderful way to get kids to eat fruits and veggies in a fun drink.  Add your child’s favorite Zola Acai juice to their smoothie and they’ll not only reap the nutritional benefits but they’ll be hooked on your Zola smoothies and wanting them as snacks and dessert in no time!  Include the kids in the smoothie-making process and they’ll have a ball choosing the ingredients.  Set a good example for the youngsters in your life and blend up a Zola Smoothie in a handy-dandy cup with a colorful straw to spark up the excitement!  You can easily add hearty grains such as oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat and bran to smoothies to bulk up the texture and add a nice dose of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Here are 3 of my Favorite Zola Acai Smoothie Recipes- Simply add the below ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  All smoothies can be kept refrigerated for up to 3 days, although they are best when fresh.

Zola Acai Blueberry

Ingredients

• ½ cup Zola Acai Blueberry Juice
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup ice
• ¼ cup almonds
• 4 fresh kale leaves
• 2 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup arugula
• 3 Fresh mint leaves
• ½ cup brown rice, cooked
• ½ tsp. honey

Zola Acai Original

Ingredients

• 1 cup ice
• ½ cup Zola Acai Original Juice
• 2 Tbsp. wheat germ
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 6 romaine lettuce leaves
• 6 Brazil nuts
• 3 Swiss chard leaves
• ¼ tsp. cinnamon
• ½ cup bulgur, cooked
• ½ tsp. stevia

Zola Acai Pineapple

Ingredients

• ½ cup ice
• 1 cup Zola Acai Pineapple
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 2 Tbsp. ground flax seeds
• ½ ripe avocado
• 2 Tbsp. all-natural nut butter
• ½ tsp. agave nectar
• 4 stalks celery
• 3 fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup quinoa, cooked

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: acai berry, Amie Valpone, blender diaries, flax, green smoothie recipes, health, health and food coach, healthy smoothies, natural, nutrient rich, nutrition, nutritionist, NYC based nutritionist, organic, preventitive health benefits, protein, recipes, resolutions, smoothie recipes, superfood, Superfruit, supplements, The Healthy Apple, Zola Açaí

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This is a great morning or afternoon smoothie.  Give it a try!

Ingredients

• 2 large bananas
• 2 cups almond milk
• 2 cups ice cubes
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, plain
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed (hempseed works as well)

Directions

• Blend together all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
• Divide among glasses; serve cold.
• Enjoy!

What’s in your blender today?

Email me at drinkzola@gmail.com or send me a Tweet @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blender, Brazilian, Chris Cuvelier, fitness, flax, flaxseed, food, health, healthy, nutrients, probiotics, protein, recipe, smoothie, Smoothies, Superfruit, workout, yogurt, Zola Açaí

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One of the most common smoothie flavor pairings is strawberry and banana, and for good reason—strawberries and bananas taste great together!

This healthy blend is a sure fire way to get kids excited about eating fruit!  Try using some of the suggested add-ons for a little extra nutrition.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:
8-10oz (about 1.5 cups) apple juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
½ fresh banana
*Tasty treat – add 4oz vanilla frozen yogurt
*Protein addition – add 2 TBSP Shelled Hempseed/Flaxseed

Add the apple juice, banana and optional yogurt or protein to a blender.  Next add in the frozen strawberries and blend on medium to high speed.  Pour in a glass and enjoy!

Have your own great smoothie recipe that you’d like to share? Email me or send me a Tweet @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: apple juice, bananas, frozen yogurt, Smoothies, strawberries, tasty, vanilla

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