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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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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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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Check it out and let me know what you think!

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, berry, Brazilian Superfruits, Chris Cuvelier, In the News, kids smoothies, peanut butter and jelly, recipes, smoothie guy, smoothie recipe, Smoothies, Zola Açaí

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• 1 – 8 ounce lemon or vanilla yogurt
• 3 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
• 2 cups fresh strawberries
• 1 tablespoon honey or fruit jam (strawberry or raspberry work well)
• Ice

Blend all ingredients 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 | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Brazilian, fresh fruit recipes, healthy kid drinks, healthy kids, kid recipes, melon, picky kids, recipes, smoothie recipes, summer cooler, summer drinks, summer recipes, summer refreshment, superfood, Superfruit, watermelon, 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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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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If I’m making a breakfast smoothie, I might opt for a juice or milk base. If I’m recovering from a bike ride, I might stick with juice. And if I’m making a treat for the kids on a summer weekend, I might go for sorbet or even a little ice cream. 

To give you a better idea of how to determine your base, here are a few tips for flavor, nutrition and texture:

Juice: Juice tends to add good sweetness and balance and can be used for almost any type of smoothie – whether to drink before or after a workout, for breakfast or even as a treat! Some of the most common juice bases are apple, orange and pineapple:

• Apple – good base to let fruit flavors come through more. Mixes really well with berries, banana, and most other fruits with the exception of tropical fruits (think papaya, mango, pineapple)

• Orange –a tart base that tends to dominate the flavor. Orange goes well with almost all mainstream fruits

• Pineapple – if you like tropical drinks, start with pineapple

Milk or Soymilk (for non-dairy alternative): Milks tend to dull the flavor. It is usually best to add a natural sweetener (like honey) or even a nut butter to give it a little something extra.

Yogurt: Yogurts (fresh or frozen) are great bases because they add thickness and provide probiotic benefits –great support for your immune and digestive systems. When choosing yogurts, I generally stick to vanilla for berry and tropical smoothies.

Sherbets, Sorbets, or even Ice Cream:  I don’t recommend using sherbets, sorbets and/or ice cream for daily smoothies. While they add a lot of flavor and a yummy icy texture, they can also load your smoothie with calories and sugar. These bases are best when making smoothie treats for fun summertime snacks or even as desserts.

© 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, breakfast, fitness, fruit, healthy, how to make smoothies, juice, juicing, meal replacements, nutrition, recipes, Smoothies, Superfruit, supplements, wellness, workout, workout recovery, Zola Açaí

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