Saturday, August 9, 2008 

Yahoo! News: Health News

Health News

Looking for a delicious healthy snack that your whole family will love? Smoothies absolutely fall into that category. What a perfect way to ensure that your family is receiving a wholesome, nutritious refreshing drink. Having guests over? Serve up one purchase bcaa these smoothie drinks which is sure to be a real party pleaser. But there's more to just tossing ingredients into a blender or smoothie blender. Follow these simple tips and your smoothies will come out delicious every time.

1. Use Ripe Fruit - Use ripe fruit whenever available, and if you have time freeze the fruit beforehand. Freezing the fruit will keep your smoothie colder and thicker then if your fruit is warm. For best results use withing two weeks. First wash your fruit. Fruit such as melons and bananas can be cut into pieces, placed on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and frozen. Once frozen, the fruit can be stored in a container or freezer bag. The reason why you want to cut larger fruit up and freeze them on a baking sheet or plate is so that they won't lump together. The same goes for strawberries, place them on a baking sheet and once frozen store them in a freezer bag or container. Now you can take what you need.

2. What type of ice to use? When the recipe calls for ice, crushed ice is best. If you do not already have crushed ice, place ice cubes in blender and crush. You can save extra crushed ice in a freezer bag.

3. Look to keep the smoothie healthful - Use skim milk, soy milk, nonfat frozen yogurt or sorbet (instead of regular yogurt or ice cream) to lower the fat content of your smoothie. Add fresh fruit instead of sweetened frozen fruit. Use a sugar substitute such as splenda in place of sugar. Add protein powder or brewer's yeast this will buy bulk dhea even more nutrition to your beverage. Add more fiber by using wheat germ, wheat bran, ground flax seed, or leave the skin on the fruit.

4. My smoothie is coq10 sweet or not sweet enough - If your smoothie is too sweet add a little lemon juice or lemonade. If your smoothie is not sweet enough add honey, sugar, maple syrup or splenda.

5. My smoothie is never thick enough - Want a thicker smoothie? Just add more ice or frozen fruit to your recipe and blend. If it is too thick add milk, water or juice and blend again. Adding a lot of juice will change the flavor of the recipe. Want a creamier smoothie? In place of crushed ice use ice cream or frozen yogurt.

6. What order should I blend the ingredients? First add all liquids, this will prevent other ingredients from binding up at the bottom. Next add the frozen fruit. Then add crushed ice or frozen yogurt. You can make your smoothie ahead of time and place it in the freezer and thaw it out when you want it. Just leave a little extra space in the container.

7. Making a non-alcoholic Frozen drink - Substitute juice, milk or water for the alcohol called for in a frozen drink. If you want to use alcohol, substitute rum, vodka or fruit liqueur for an equal part of the juice or other liquid called for in the recipe. Pour into a glass and serve garnished with fresh fruit.

8. Looking for more flavor? - Use quality ripe fruit, the sweetness of the fruit will add extra flavor to your smoothie. Adding almond extract or other fruit extract, cocoa powder, cinnamon or nutmeg will further enhance flavor.

Cantaloupe-Banana Slush - Perfect smoothie recipe and great for anyone watching those WW points only 2 points per serving.

3/8 cup coarsely chopped cantaloupe

3/8 cup sliced ripe banana (about 2 medium)

3/8 cup pineapple-orange-banana juice

5/8 teaspoon sugar

5/8 teaspoon lime juice

Arrange cantaloupe and banana in a single layer on a baking sheet; freeze until firm. Add pineapple-orange-banana juice and lime juice to smoothie blender. Blend juices together, add frozen fruit and blend again. For a thicker smoothie add ice. Pour into glass and top with a piece of cantaloupe or banana.

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