I love smoothies and I make one nearly every day. Smoothies serve many purposes.

First you can use fruit or veg that are marginally past their best days in kitchen life. A soft banana or a slightly mushy zucchini is still worthy of inclusion in a smoothie.

Second, you can make a smoothie out of ANYTHINK YOULIKE!  What a concept-Absolute smoothie freedom! Here are two of my favorites:

Fruit Smoothie Heaven

1 banana                   1 cup of any berries you like

1 carton of Greek yogurt-I recommend Dannon Light and Fit 80 calorie (Mmmm!)

5 ice cubes or 1/2 cup vanilla fat free frozen yogurt

a small can of pineapple bits with juice

For liquid I like Diet Cranberry Juice by Ocean Spray  (5 calories per 8 oz)

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As you can see, you can substitute any juice, fruit or liquid. Any suggestions from other smoothie people?

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Veggie Lovers Smoothie

I start with 8 oz of V8 juice. I use the reduced sodium.

I add some chopped celery, chopped zucchini, and some broccoli. I have a friend who adds a small can of green beans, juice and all, to this but I think that is a bit much.

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Both of these recipes are only the beginning. Take off from here with your smoothies. By the way, all of this goes into the bowl of a blender and you can pulse til you reach the thickness you like. Good health in a glass, for sure.

The Uphill Skater