Nothing says summer quite like a big slice of fresh watermelon. And of course, with all the watermelon lying around the kitchen, I couldn’t help but blend it up!
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
What’s in your blender today? Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com; Twitter @drinkzola
I have received a few emails in the past couple of weeks about making smoothies thicker. One of my favorite was from a mom in Englewood, Colorado – it read:
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:
Hope this helps!
Email me with any questions or ideas for smoothies at drinkzola@gmail.com; Twitter @drinkzola.
There’s nothing that says comfort food more than good old peanut butter and jelly – although mac and cheese is a close contender. If you love PB&J’s you’ll love this smoothie. 
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.
Calories. We’re either cutting them, counting them, burning them or obsessing over them. For most, they are worse than a four letter word. And when it comes to smoothies, many of them can cost you over a thousand of those precious calories.
Here are a few smoothie recipes that will cost you far less in calories but still have a big time taste. 
Açaí Antioxidant Smoothie
This smoothie should replace the old saying about an apple a day – drink one of these a day and you’re guaranteed to keep the doctor away!
Pear-Ginger Delight:
This smoothie is delicious! I also love that it uses carrot juice, which gives this drink its orange color and lots of vitamin A.
Orange Cherry Smoothie:
I love the combination of oranges and cherries – this smoothie is great when you’re in the mood for something with a little tang to it.
Ahhh, the joys of summer! My family BBQed with some friends last weekend and while I was lounging on the deck catching some rays and watching the kids play, I noticed how many of them were sipping on sodas or other sugary drinks. One of the kids was even downing a Red Bull – a kid, not older than 8 with a Red Bull!
And while I’m no stranger to the joys of sipping an icy-cold drink while basking in the summer sun, I tend to be a bit more health conscious when it comes to myself and my kids. Because let’s face it, sweet sugary drinks are not good for anyone’s health – not only can they lead to weight gain but also have been linked to several heart conditions.
I say, forget the sugary, artificially sweetened drinks and try one of these heart healthy and waistline friendly summer refreshers.
Smoothies:
Ok, you knew I was going to go here — but seriously, if you have a blender handy, simply combine fruit, yogurt, milk, or juice with ice and voila! Here’s a great summer smoothie recipe to try this weekend: 
Berry Blast
2 Cups frozen berries
2 Bananas
1 Cup Kefir
1/4 – 1/2 Can Coconut Milk
Don’t have time to make your own? Come prepared with one of Zola’s great tasting, healthy smoothies and choose from Superfood, Energy, Antioxidant or Immunity.
Flavored Water:
If you don’t have a blender handy or are looking for 
something a little lighter, try a flavored water. You can make your own naturally flavored water easily by adding slices of strawberries, lemon, mint or basil to a jug of water. If you want to get really creative try some melon pieces – watermelon and cantaloupe will taste great!
Naturally Brewed Iced Tea:
Brew your own favorite tea at home, let it cool and add some ice.
Have some healthy summer drink ideas of your own? Tell me about them! What’s in your blender today?
– Chris
drinkzola@gmail.com; @drinkzola (Twitter)
As a parent, you have to get accustomed to hearing “ewww gross” in the kitchen from time to time. And while my smoothies are generally a big hit with my kids, an “ewww gross!” or two will occasionally happen when I make a smoothie that’s a bit too healthy tasting.
If you have a picky eater on your hands but want to encourage them to get more fruit or veggies in their diet, smoothies can be a great way. I often use them as nutrition in disguise – blend some fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, with a little yogurt, honey or juice to sweeten the deal – and kids will never know that what they are drinking is actually good for them.
Here are a couple of smoothie recipes that have the official Picky Eater Stamp of Approval:
Vitamin C Slush
1 cup orange juice
2 pineapple rings
1 very ripe banana
2 tbsp. cream of coconut
1 tsp. milled flax seed
1 carrot or sweet potato cube
Antioxidant Rainbow
1 cup Zola Açaí Original Juice
1/4 cup raspberries
2 tbsp. cooked beet pieces
1/4 avocado
3/4 cup orange juice
1tbsp. honey
Directions
Have some good picky eater smoothie recipes? Email me at drinkzola@gmail.com or send me a Tweet @drinkzola.
Whether you’re lounging around the neighbor’s pool or hitting up a tropical paradise vacation this summer, cool off with these fun smoothie and popsicle recipe ideas.
Tropical Smoothie
8-10 oz (around 1.5 cups) pineapple juice
1 cup frozen mango chunks
½ fresh banana
*Tasty treat – add 1-2oz dried coconut 
Pour pineapple juice, banana and optional coconut in blender. Add the frozen mango chunks and blend on medium-high speed. Pour in plastic cups, add umbrella and enjoy by the pool or beach.
Tropical Popsicles
16 ounces (2 cups) pineapple juice
20 oz frozen mango chunks
3 TBSP honey
½ fresh banana
12 3 oz paper cups
12 wooden sticks
Tasty treat: add 1-2 oz dried coconut 
Pour pineapple juice, banana, honey and optional coconut in blender. Add the frozen mango chunks and blend on medium-high speed. Place paper cups on a tray or baking pan. Fill with blended mixture and cover cups with a sheet of aluminum foil. Insert a wooden stick by making a slit in the foil over the center of each cup. Freeze popsicles until firm. Run warm water on the outside of cup to loosen each popsicle from the cup. Makes 12 popsicles.
Have your own great smoothie or popsicle recipe that you’d like to share? Email me at drinkzola@gmail.com or send me a Tweet @drinkzola.
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