New smoothie combines medium roasted coffee beans, healthy ingredients and nutritional boosts blended in a creamy espresso latte mix.

PRESS RELEASE: MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ — Coffee lovers across the country will have a healthy place to enjoy a cool, creamy version of their favorite beverage as Robeks introduces a new line of “Naturally Coffee Smoothies” February 1. Featuring fresh, medium roasted coffee beans and a proprietary espresso latte blend with good-for-you ingredients including soy milk, yogurt and nutritional boosts, these healthy drinks are perfect for making America’s favorite beverage into a fortified meal.

As part of the launch, Robeks, a premium fruit smoothie and healthy eats national restaurant chain with 140 locations in 17 states, will give away thousands of free smoothies as part of neighborhood initiatives through direct marketing coupons and Free Smoothie Parties. (Go to www.robeks.com for store locations and store hours.)

The Naturally Coffee Smoothies come in three flavors: Coffee, Mocha and Hazelnut. The hazelnut smoothie also includes fresh chopped hazelnuts.

Before rolling out the new line, Robeks conducted taste-tests across the country with results that were overwhelmingly positive. Customers who sampled the new coffee smoothies gave them a very high approval rating on taste, and the vast majority said they would visit Robeks more frequently just to purchase the coffee smoothies.

Steve Davidson, Robeks Chief Executive Officer, said the new Naturally Coffee Smoothies “received unsolicited positive feedback as customers compared them to other popular brands in the marketplace. We worked tirelessly in our test kitchens not only to produce a premium smoothie worthy of Robeks high standards for nutrition and quality, but we also wanted to develop a smoothie with great taste that customers would love.”

Two of the Naturally Coffee Smoothies are cholesterol free, one has a minimal amount, and all three are a good source of protein.

Robeks is also working on several other promotional initiatives in connection with its new line of Naturally Coffee Smoothies and will announce those later in the year.

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

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This is the recipe that gave the kids the purple mustaches and big smiles!

 Açaí Cherryberry Smoothie

• 3oz Zola Açaí Puree (available at www.amazon.com)
• 3oz Vanilla Soymilk (unsweetened)
• ½ Fresh Banana
• 3oz Frozen Strawberries
• 3oz Frozen Cherries

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Açaí, blendtec, cherry, smoothie, soymilk, Zola Açaí, Zola acai puree

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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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Berry Good Smoothie 

• 1 banana
• 1/3 cup blackberries or blueberries
• ½ cup Zola Acai
• ½ cup Apple juice
• ¼ cup of ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and 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 | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Açaí, antioxidants, berries, berry, blender, blending, Blendtech, blueberry, cancer fighting, cold season, flu season recipes, health, immune system, immunity, juice, nutrition, raspberry, recipes, sick, Vitamix

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The other night I made this delicious and filling Carrot Ginger Soup – and you guessed it, I did it all in my blender!

Carrot Ginger Soup

• 3carrots chopped
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 ½  Tbsp shallots, diced
• ½ cup coconut water
• 1/4 c Zola Acai Original Juice
• ¼ cup orange juice
• ½ clove of garlic
• 1 Tbsp minced ginger
• 1 Tbsp miso
• Pinch of sea salt

Place all ingredients in your BlendTec or Vitamix and blend until completely smooth. 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 | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blender, blendtec, healthy eating, healthy recipes, juicer, smoothie, snow, snowfall, soup recipes, Vitamix, winter recipes, winter weather, Zola Açaí, Zola Superfruit juice

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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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If you want to leave Santa Claus something other than milk and cookies this year, try this delicious candy cane cocoa smoothie recipe. It can be served hot or cold depending on your mood!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups vanilla soy milk
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 5 regular-sized peppermint candy canes — crushed
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 cup ice (for smoothie option only)
• 1 banana (for smoothie option only)

Hot Candy Cane Cocoa:

In a saucepan bring the vanilla soy milk to a simmer. Add the chocolate chips and the crushed candy canes and whisk until everything is melted and smooth. Divide hot cocoa between four mugs garnish with whipped cream and serve with a candy cane stirring stick.

Candy Cane Cocoa Smoothie Recipe:

In a saucepan bring the vanilla soy milk to a simmer. Add the chocolate chips and the crushed candy canes and whisk until everything is melted and smooth. Let the mixture cool, stirring often. Once mixture is at room temperature, add it to a blender with ice and banana. Blend until smooth and pour into four glasses. Garnish with whipped cream and serve with a candy cane stick.

Happy Holidays from The Blender Diaries! Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com; follow me on Twitter: @drinkzola

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: candy canes, chocolate, christmas eve recipes, healthy, holiday recipes, holiday recipes for kids, holiday treats, hot drinks, peppermint hot chocolate recipes, peppermint smoothie, recipes, smoothie, Zola

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Ingredients:

• 2 cups Zola  Açaí Original
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½  lemon, zested
• 2 tsp clove powder
• 2 tbsp fresh nutmeg
• Ice (optional)
• Banana (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium low heat.  Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

If you want to drink it hot, then you’re all done! Top it with a cinnamon stick if you desire and enjoy…

If you want to add it to a smoothie, here’s what you can do next.

Let it cool for about 20 minutes in the refrigerator.  Once cool, put mixture in a blender along with 1 cup of ice and a banana and blend until smooth.  Pour in your favorite smoothie glass and top it with a cinnamon stick – and enjoy!

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 | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blender, Brazilian Superfruit, Christmas, holiday beverages, holiday drink, holiday smoothie, holidays, mulled wine, seasonal drinks, smoothie, spiced cider, spices, wassail, Zola Açaí

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One fun way to reap all of the health benefits of cinnamon is with this great cinnamon smoothie recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1 cup ice

Blend all ingredients together and 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., 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: antioxidants, cinnamon, cold season, flu season, health benefits, healthy holiday recipes, holiday recipes, holiday smoothies, spices, Zola Açaí

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I’ve decided to tackle Thanksgiving in a new way this year.  Since I am generally in the kitchen all day cooking and prepping, I also find myself SNACKING constantly. I think my snacks and “taste tests” alone probably rack up another whole Thanksgiving dinner.  I’ve decided that things will be different this year. I am armed with my blender, a little Zola and a small ounce of will power.

Zola Power Smoothie:

• 1 cup Zola Acai Original
• 2 tbsps chia seeds (hemp seeds will also work)
• 1 banana
• 1 handful of blueberries (blackberries will also work)
• Ice

Place all ingredients in a blender, blend and ENJOY!

The power of this smoothie is that you’ll get natural energy and antioxidants from the Zola Acai (nothing will spread more germs than a house full of kids!), protein and healthy omegas from the seeds, and fiber (to keep you full longer) from the banana and blueberries.

Hopefully this plan will help me get the turkey carved and on the table before most of it goes in my mouth. Three cheers to not overeating before dinner even begins!

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., 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Açaí, berries, chia seeds, dessert, energy, energy snacks, guarana, healthy, helpful holiday hints, hemp, holiday recipes, how to stop snacking, natural, Thanksgiving healthy recipes, Thanksgiving recipes, treats, Zola Açaí

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