Here we are into a new year and determined to keep our New Year’s resolutions. If you’re like me, you can’t help thinking of all the buzz about nutritious food and getting trim and fat. Maybe it’s the guilt of holiday indulgences that puts food-related resolutions at the forefront. Along with the guilt and determination, a little bit of a discouraged feeling may seep into your mind. “Phooey on all this health business! Ugh. Low-calorie this and boring that. Food is good!” Well, here’s some good news to spur you on to success. Try some of these imaginative smoothie recipes, good for breakfast, lunch or even a midnight snack. Be the one who keeps your resolution for a healthier you! All you need is a blender.

Breakfast smoothie recipes start you off deliciously and nutritiously. We all know fruit and yogurt are healthy, but can be a bit dull first thing in the morning, whereas the smoothie is an entirely different experience. With the looks of a milkshake and a sensational and refreshing fruit taste, you’ve got a breakfast worth drinking! It’s full of vitamins, fills you up, is quick to fix and is low in calories.

Almost any fruit goes well in smoothie recipes, regardless of the time of day. Oranges, kiwi fruit, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries and banana are all excellent for the fruit component. You can mix several fruits in the same smoothie recipe.

APPLE SMOOTHIE

2 c Apple sauce
1 c Apple cider
1 c Orange juice
2 tb Vermont maple syrup
1/2 ts Nutmeg
1/2 ts Cinnamon
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into
glasses and serve. Serves 2.

BANANA-BERRY POWER SMOOTHIE

1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
1/2 small, peeled ripe banana
1/4 cup stemmed, sliced strawberries
honey to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla soy protein powder
Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed until
smooth.

BLUEBERRY PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE

2 cups chilled fresh or frozen blueberries, slightly thawed
1 cup chilled pineapple-orange juice, or pineapple-orange-strawberry
juice
1 8-ounce carton vanilla nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon sugar
In a blender container, combine all ingredients. Cover and blend for 1
to 2 minutes or until almost smooth. Makes 3 servings.

If your favorite fruit is not in season, use a package of frozen fruit with its syrup. The syrup adds a few calories, but look at it this way. It’s a complete meal. You won’t be hungry until lunch. The nutritional value far outweighs the extra calorie count.

Fruit juices add flavor and can help thicken the drink, depending on the juice. Survey the juice aisle at the grocery and load up your cart.

Flavored yogurts and ones with real fruit at the bottom add even more flavor and substance. Pina colada yogurt goes great with tropical fruits.

Smoothie recipes allow you to adhere to your dietary restrictions too. For example, if you’re lactose intolerant, you can substitute soy milk or use a 2% fat acidophilus milk. Soy milk is a powerhouse of nutrients and comes in several flavors as well as an unsweetened form.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BANANA SMOOTHIE

1 banana
2 Tbs. Peanut Butter (chunky or smooth… whatever you prefer!)
1-2 squirts of Hershey’s reduced calorie chocolate syrup
1 Tbs. wheat germ
6 oz. soy milk
Put all ingredients into blender.
Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!

Now for some special flavor additions. A tablespoon or two of Torani syrup in a flavor complimentary to your smoothie recipe ingredients can make a great smoothie magnificent. Toss in some shredded coconut or tahini paste for an exotic taste treat. A small scoop of quality ice cream never hurts.

HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY SMOOTHIE

1 cup passion fruit nectar
1 cup guava nectar
1 cup orange sherbet
4 Tbs. coconut milk
1/2 frozen banana in chunks
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup frozen mango slices
1 cup strawberry yogurt
Pour all liquid ingredients into the blender. Add all frozen ingredients.
Blend at MIX setting for 30 seconds then blend at SMOOTH setting
until smooth. While the machine is running, move the stir stick around
counter-clockwise to aid mixing. Serve immediately. Each recipe
serves 3-5.

PINA COLADA SMOOTHIE I

5 Tbs. Coconut milk
2 1/2 cups pineapple juice
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 frozen banana (chunks)
1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
Pour all liquid ingredients into the blender. Add all frozen ingredients.
Blend at MIX setting for 30 seconds then blend at SMOOTH setting
until smooth. While the machine is running, movethe stir stick around
counter-clockwise to aid mixing. Serve immediately. Each recipe
serves 3-5.

PINA COLADA SMOOTHIE II

1 6oz container nonfat coconut yogurt (frozen)
1/2 banana (frozen)
1/2 of a 20 oz can crushed pineapple
1 c. nonfat milk
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend well until smoothie consistency
is reached!

Having just one smoothie each day can fulfill many of your New Year’s resolution objectives. These generic smoothie recipes guarantee better nutrition, more energy and a trimmer you!