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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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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On these beautiful days, I just can’t resist being outside and tend to overdo it. Since my wife is always hounding me to protect my skin, I decided to create a smoothie that was not only delicious but would give my skin the little boost that it needs.

Skin Energy Smoothie:

• 1 cup carrot juice (can also use apple if you like your smoothie a little sweeter)
• ½ cucumber
• ½ cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• Lemon juice (to taste)
• Ice cubes

This smoothie is the perfect combination if your skin needs a little love.  The carrots contain Vitamins A and E which help to repair and regrow skin and cucumbers are a natural skin refresher and toner because they are rich in silica, a mineral that boosts collagen to lessen fine lines as well as elasticity-preserving potassium.  Lemon juice is also known to lighten the skin because of the ascorbic and citric acids present.

Give it a try! You’ll be glowing by tomorrow.

What’s in your blender today? Follow me on Twitter @drinkzola; email me drinkzola@gmail.com

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blender, carrots are good for skin, cucumber, energy boost, healthy juice, healthy smoothie, juicing, natural, outdoors, San Francisco, skin boosts, skin energizers, smoothie, sun protection

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Its simple, green and oh so good – check it out!

• 1 cup vanilla light soymilk
• 2 cups organic spinach
• 1 large organic banana
• 1 tbsp MaraNatha raw almond butter
• 5 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend away!

If green’s not quite your thing, Heather has many other delicious sounding smoothie recipes to share on her blog – I’m ready to try Heather’s Green-Less smoothie next.

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 | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Açaí, blender, Brazilian, green smoothie recipe, greens, happiness, health, healthy body, healthy breakfast, hope, meals, natural, nut butters, raw, smoothie recipes, soymilk

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If you’re craving a banana split, why not bring the split to the smoothie? 

Banana Split Smoothie

• 1/4 cup of orange juice
• 4 ripe bananas
• 8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained
• ½ cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tbs of agave or honey
• 3 tbs of yogurt
• 3 heaped tbs of vanilla ice cream
• ***Optional garnish: whipped cream, chocolate syrup

Blend all ingredients with the exception of the garnish until smooth.  Pour into large glasses and then add the garnish.

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 | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: banana split, desserts, fresh, fun recipe ideas, healthy, ice cream, kid friendly foods, kid recipes, kids, natural, smoothie recipe, smoothie recipes, Smoothies, Superfruit, Zola Açaí

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First of all, both will work just fine – if you just went to the Farmer’s Market and have a fridge full of fresh fruit goodies, I say blend them up!  If you’re a little low on fresh produce, I’d be wiling to bet you have some frozen fruit hiding in your freezer.

Here are a few best practices for adding the fruit to your smoothies – whether frozen or fresh:

• If you use frozen fruit, you do NOT need ice – the frozen fruit will give it a good consistency and of course, make it cold
• If you use fresh fruit, you will need to lower the juice by 1-2oz and add approx 2-4oz ice to taste.  Ice will dilute the flavor a bit, but will add some coldness and thickness
• For frozen fruit smoothies, its best to add the juice first, then the banana, then the frozen fruit.  Will help it blend
• For fresh fruit smoothies, its best to add the juice, then the banana and fresh fruit and then the ice.  Again, this will help it blend.

Hope this helps!

Email me with any questions or ideas for smoothies at drinkzola@gmail.com; Twitter @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blender, Brazil, farmer's market, fresh, fruit, fruity, health, healthy, juice, juicing, natural, recipes, smoothie recipe, Smoothies, strawberries, Superfruit, Zola Açaí

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The Ultimate Breakfast Smoothie

8-10oz Vanilla Soymilk

1 Cup   Frozen Banana Chunks

½ Cup  Favorite Granola

*Tasty Treat – add 2-3oz peanut butter

What’s in your blender today?  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 | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Açaí, Brazil, breakfast, drinks, granola recipes, health, healthy, natural, smoothie guy, Smoothies, summer recipes, Superfruit, Zola, Zola Açaí

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I hear you’re the smoothie guy – can you help me?  I’m a busy mom of 3 located  in Englewood, Colorado and I have been trying to add smoothies to my diet  because they are quick, easy and relatively healthy.  Problem is, I can’t seem to make my own at home because I hate and I mean, absolutely detest bananas!! What can I substitute in my smoothies to still give them that thickness they need without using those awful little yellow fruits?

There are a few different ways to add thickness to your smoothies:

• If you like your smoothies really thick, you can cut up bananas into ½ inch pieces and freeze – blend those up
• If you’re like our favorite mom from Englewood, and refuse to let a banana anywhere near your smoothie, try using avocado or even yogurt.  You can substitute ½ banana with 2-3 oz yogurt (whatever flavor you want!).

Hope this helps!

Email me with any questions or ideas for smoothies at drinkzola@gmail.com; Twitter @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blender, cooking, food, health, healthy, natural, recipes, smoothie, Smoothies, summer drinks, Zola Açaí

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When you sip the last drop, there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll be singing the song too. Come on, you know the words!

Here’s the recipe:

PB&J Smoothie

8-10oz  Apple Juice

1 Cup   Frozen Strawberries

½          Fresh Banana

2-3oz   Peanut Butter

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

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, comfort food, health, healthy, kid friendly recipes, mac and cheese, natural, pb&J, peanut butter and jelly, recipes, smoothie, smoothie recipes, Smoothies, summer drinks, Zola Açaí

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And you know me, I just had to blend.

Ginger Aid Smoothie
• ½ cup lemon or lime Juice (add more for extra tang!)
• 1 cup unsweetened soy or hemp milk
• 1 avocado
• ½ tsp fresh ginger root
• 1 sweet orange pepper, diced
• 1 Sweet Red Pepper, diced
• ¼ cup applesauce

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 | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Açaí, ginger root, health, healthy, healthy living, home remedies, natural, natural medicine, plant based diets, smoothie recipes, Smoothies, Zola Açaí

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