Banana, Peach, and Strawberry Smoothie

During the summer months try putting the fruit into the freezer the night before you make this smoothie. This ensures it is really cold and refreshing by breakfast time.

Serves 1

1 banana, peeled and quartered
1 peach, halved and pitted
4 strawberries, hulled
3/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon honey

Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend for 1 minute.
Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

Pomegranate Smoothie

Recipe created by 3-A-Day™ of Dairy

Makes 4 servings (1 cup per serving)

1 banana
2 cups (16 ounces) fat-free vanilla yogurt
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional)
Pomegranate seeds (optional)

Wrap peeled banana in plastic wrap and freeze 3 hours or until frozen.
Unwrap banana, break into chunks and place in a blender with the yogurt and juice. Cover and blend until smooth; pour into 4 glasses to serve. Top with pomegranate seeds if desired.

Serving tip: Before serving, wet edge of glass and dip into coarse sugar for decorative edge.

Nutrition information: 170 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 85 mg sodium, 20 percent daily value of calcium, 6 g protein, 36 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber.

Smoothies

Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, melons, bananas and peaches are all excellent fruits to freeze ahead for use in smoothies. According to the Colorado State University Extension Service, to freeze fruit, first wash it and cut it into cubes, slices or chunks. Sprinkle light colored fruit, like bananas, with lemon juice to help prevent them from darkening. Place the fruit in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm. Once frozen, pop the fruit into self-sealing plastic bags and store in the freezer. You can also puree fresh fruit, freeze it in ice cube trays and then store it in freezer bags.

These recipes are from The National Bone Health Campaign from www.cdc.gov

Carla's Berry Patch Smoothie:
1. Blend 1 cup of your favorite fruit juice with added calcium.
2. Add 1 cup of your favorite fruit (try frozen berries).
3. Toss in some ice cubes to make it extra thick.

Banana Blast Smoothie:
1. Blend 1 cup of rice beverage or soy beverage with added calcium, one banana, a cup of your favorite fruit, 1 teaspoon of vanilla flavoring and a dash of honey.
2. Toss in some ice cubes to make it extra thick.

Sunshine Smoothie:
Blend 1 cup orange juice with added calcium, fat-free or low-fat milk or soy beverage with added calcium, ice cubes and a handful of fruit.

Very Berry Smoothie:
1. Blend 1 cup fat-free or low-fat milk, a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries, and a dash of honey.
2. Toss in some ice cubes to make it extra thick.

Fruit Smash Smoothie:
1. Blend 1 cup of fat-free or low-fat milk, a bunch of frozen strawberries, apricots, bananas and fresh raspberries.
2. Toss in some ice cubes to make it extra thick.

Vanilla Smoothie:
Blend 1 cup orange juice with added calcium, a handful of strawberries, a banana, and 1 8-ounce container of fat-free or low-fat vanilla yogurt.

STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIES

2 cups strawberries,* hulled and halved
2 containers (6 ounces) strawberry yogurt
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1-1/2 cups milk

* You may substitute any fresh fruit.

Cooking Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Cover and blend until well-mixed (about 30 seconds).

Pour into 6 glasses and serve immediately.

Your Momma's Strawberry Smoothie

4 - 6 oz Papaya or grapefruit juice (or pineapple or orange)
1/4 cup of frozen strawberries with sugar, thawed
1 cup crushed ice
1/2 - 1 banana

Blend the above in a blender and enjoy!