What is a smoothie

The smoothie-making I'm about to share with you are healthful ones, so pay attention as I will be sharing with you many important tips to make a big glass of healthful smoothies that would leave you and your family craving for more.

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Equipment for making a smoothie

Three types of kitchen appliances may be used to make smoothies: a blender, a food processor or more specifically, a new introduction in the market¾a smoothie maker.

If you have both a blender and a food processor, try out both to see which one makes a better smoothie.  If you have neither and would like to purchase one, get a smoothie maker.  You will be pleased with the result that you achieve with a smoothie maker.  Unless, of course, you prefer to buy something that's multi-purpose, then get a blender.  A food processor usually costs more.

What to look for when buying a blender.

Healthful smoothie ingredients

Almost any soft fruit/vegetable can be used to make yummy smoothies.  Two ways to make smoothies:

• Using frozen fruits; or

• Fruits at room temperature and blend with ice or frozen yogurt (or any other frozen ingredient).

Using either method is a matter of preference as frozen fruits tend to make the smoothies thicker, and the cold last longer.  This is perfect for hot sunny days.  But on cold, rainy days, the other method may be preferred.

Whatever fruits you choose to use to make your smoothies, peel the skin, and remove the seeds, or choose the seedless variety. 

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You can also use dried fruits like raisins, dates or apricot slices.  Soak them in pure drinking water overnight to soften.  Besides adding flavor to your smoothies, they are also a good source of trace minerals and fiber.

Your smoothie can be as healthy as you want it to be.  It is a matter of choosing your ingredients wisely.  For example, ice-cream may taste great, but it also contains harmful fats and empty sugar.  Always try to use whole, natural ingredients whenever possible. 

• Water:  If you are using only frozen fruits for your smoothie, use filtered drinking water as the liquid base to dilute the sweetness.
  




• Milk:  I'm not a big fan of cow's milk but if you prefer to use milk, then try to go for skimmed milk instead.  Whole dairy milk is too rich in unhealthy saturated fat.
  




• Fresh goat's milk:  Goat's milk may cost more than cow's milk but is a healthier option.  Use it fresh without boiling as some people do.  However, people who are lactose intolerant should not take it.
  




• Whole soy milk:  This is another health drink that is made with polyunsaturated fats.  There are many theory against soy milk, but moderation is always wise.
  




• Yogurt:  Most people who are lactose intolerant are able to stomach yogurt, the healthier option to be included into your smoothie.  Choose unpasteurized and plain (unflavored) yogurt for optimum health benefit.  You may also use frozen yogurt to be blended with your room-temperature ingredients. Make your own yogurt.
  




• Ice-cream:  Flavored ice-cream may overpower your fruits' tastes, so choose wisely, but always go for low-fat or non-fat where possible.  Vanilla flavor is a common favorite. 
  




• Nut or seed milk:  You can purchase these from your local health food stores or learn how to make your own almond milk.
  




• Fruit or vegetable juice:  Juice your fruit/vegetable separately.  For example, juice apples if this is NOT the main ingredient in your smoothie.  I like to use young coconut juice (NOT coconut milk) as it is easily available in my country, and not so sweet.  It helps dilute the sweetness of the other fruits ingredient in my smoothies.
  




• Green tea:  This is wonderful for its anti-oxidant properties.  You can purchase green tea leaves/sachets/powder from your local supermarket.  Steep the leaves/sachets in boiled water for about 4 to 5 minutes, strain the leaves and leave it to cool before using for your smoothie.

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Smoothie flavorings

There are many natural flavorings you can add to your smoothie to give it that extra kick.

When your main ingredients are mainly vegetable base, you may want to sweeten it up a little to make it more palatable.  Use natural sweeteners like dates, raisins, fruit juice concentrate, honey, maple syrup, molasses, etc.

Fresh ginger juice (use only 1 teaspoon at anytime) gives your smoothie the added spice and powerful anti-oxidants.

Some examples of the extra flavorings you may want to add to your smoothies: ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, grated coconut, coffee powder, half a lemon or lime, mint syrup, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, etc. Be adventurous!

• Any kind of nuts:  Finely grind any kind of nuts (almonds, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, etc.) to be added to your smoothies for the thick smooth taste and health properties only nuts provide.

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Added supplements

I usually pound all my tablet supplements with a mini mortar and pestle, to be added to my smoothies or juices.  Pound supplements when mixed and taken all in, are easily assimilated by the body, and provide a powerful synergistic effect on the nutrients that do wonders to the body.

If you want to do this, do not pour the powdered supplements into the blender container, but only mix into your glass after the end-result is poured out.  Stir and drink.  This is to avoid your precious supplement being left behind in the container after your smoothie is poured out.

Consider taking your supplements this way to optimize the full benefit of the nutrients you are taking. Pound your regular supplements and pour into your finished smoothies.

Here's a list of examples of other powdered supplements which you may add to your healthful smoothies (these are blended together with your other ingredients).  Read the label for dosage.

• Acidophilus

• Bee pollen

• Brewer's yeast

• Calcium powder

• Chlorella powder

• Chlorophyll liquid or powder

• Lecithin powder or granules

• Protein powder

• Spirulina powder

• Vitamin C power

• Wheat bran

Consuming your smoothies

Eat/drink your smoothies within 10 minutes of making them to take full advantage of the nutrients before they oxidize and turn your smoothie brown.

I do not recommend storing smoothies after it has gone through the blender as once the fruits/vegetables are cut up in the blender, the nutrients and live enzymes will deteriorate rapidly.

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