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I recently decided these needed to be part of my diet (as in "what I eat," not "what I'm planning to eat so I'll lose weight"). Basically, I put crushed ice, fruit juice, yogurt, and some type of fruit into the blender and make it slushy. As someone whose last "what I'm planning to eat so I'll lose weight" diet was Atkins, this is a big change. But it's so dang good! I pretend that it's a healthier version of a milkshake (which it might be if I had gotten real fruit juice instead of flavored high fructose corn sweetener in water -- maybe next time I'll read the label first).
If anyone else out there likes these, what do you put in them? I'm willing to try new stuff.
<Rereads.> Geez -- keep that last paragraph away from OOC, ok?
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I used to make something similar with silken tofu instead of yogurt. I never really got used to the soy taste though, and went back to yogurt. I thin mine out with skim milk, and use unsweetened frozen fruit.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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I made shakes with whey powder. I have never tried Atkins, but you can get close to a Zone dealy. Let's see, also Oats, believe it or not though they go in first and get pulverized for a while first. (edit: Oats add complex carbs and actually give the mixture a textural benefit due to their soluble fiber). Bananas and Frozen strawberries. Okay, here's the actual recipe:
8 oz. water 2 Tbsp. rolled oats (pulverize) Whey *Wheat grass powder (blend briefly) Frozen strawberries Banana last or else it really gets full of air.
*If you want to be a super freaky health nut, also flax oil or Udo's oil but only the kind they sell refrigerated or it can taste like fish.
P.S. Something else I learned the hard way... never put an apple in a shake.
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While it is more sugary, if you want to go a little richer, use a lowfat icecream or icemilk and then just add a bit of jam or jelly of your choice for flavoring.
I would imagine you could try that in just a regular smoothie too. I generally like when they add orangejuice to them.
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I use orange juice, a bunch of strawberries annd a banana. Plus, some protien power. I like Isopure. It dissolves well and tastes pretty good (vanilla or chocoloate, esp.)and it makes the thing a little more filling, for a breakfast on the go.
Posts: 1664 | Registered: Apr 2004
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I don't use ice. I just freeze the fruit that goes in - bananas, strawberries, etc. Of course, you have to cut them up some before you freeze them.
Posts: 4625 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Fruit smoothies rock. I've tried a zillion varieties, but I always come back to OJ + banana + strawberries + milk + ice. Our new blender needs no encouragement or pre-chopping...awesome.
Posts: 1839 | Registered: May 1999
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What if, rather than pulverizing the oats with water, I made oatmeal and added it? Same effect?
I wasn't sure about adding apple, but I did add applesauce and it was fine. I like the strawberries, but there are so many seeds. I'm thinking blackberries, but expect the same problem with seeds. Maybe guava, mango, or pineapple? I thought blueberries might be good, too.
These are all great ideas, folks -- thanks, and keep 'em rollin'.
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I prefer just plain strawberry smoothies with apple juice as the liquid. Bananas I like, but they make my tongue and throat itch.
As for the strawberry seeds, I actually enjoy them. Yet, I can't stand blackberry seeds... so strange. Then again, I like pulpy orange juice.
I like to add malt powder for thickening.
Lately, I've been thinking of making a piña colada type smoothie with plain yogurt, cocanut milk, and frozen pineapple chunks with the juice. Also, a cran-orange smoothie, but I am not sure what kind of fruit to use. Maybe kiwi or passion fruit. Oh... oh... and a mango smoothie, too.
Darn it! Now you've gone and done it. You've got me all thirsty.
Posts: 822 | Registered: Jul 2001
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I've been making lots of fruit smoothies too. Mmmmm! Commercially frozen fruit -- I bought a bunch of strawberries and raspberries on sale at Ralphs a while back, and TJ's has nice frozen mango; some frozen banana; orange juice. Plus a bit of water if it gets too thick for my blender to handle. Nummy.
Oh, and if it's late enough that I won't be heading anywhere, I sometimes add a dash of rum. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Mango all the way, Pop I usually add banana to all of mine because we always have an especially ripe banana. I love pineapple, orange, banana. I actually don't mind the seeds in the strawberry, but I also add oats or flax seed to mine on occasion, so I'm used to a bit of "grit" If you'd like to be more Atkins friendly, Atkins does make vanilla protein shake powder and I've added a teaspon of that. You have to be careful, though, because it can make the smoothie very chalky if you add too much.
I mostly use whatever fruit we have on hand. I think it is a much healthier way to go and a great way to get your fruit servings in.
If grittiness bothers you, you can always try to pour the finished product through a strainer.
Edit: This fun smoothie website came up when I typed fruit smoothie recipe into my browser.
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My absolute favorite is frozen strawberries and chocolate milk (1% - so it's low fat).
I also like mixing in my food processor: frozen peaches, skim milk, ginger and nutmeg until it's the consistancy of soft serve (with chunks of peach in it).
Posts: 5879 | Registered: Apr 2001
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- pineapple juice - ground flax seeds (for the consistency... and digestion) - frozen berries (but not cranberries) any of the following optionals: Fresh mint, fresh squeezed lime juice, bottled lime/lemon juice. Tomorrow I am testing dried mint in this very concoction.
I wouldn't guarantee that you would lose weight on it... but then I don't think you would gain any, either
Today I purchased ten litres of pineapple juice, because the summer is coming on quickly (okay, so it has been snowing for three days straight and I am now regretting having changed my tyres, but still: technically in one week we have the midnight sun), and because the transport companies are on strike and I kinda got what was left in the store.
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oh - just realized I missed the part about the strawberry seeds. If you don't like the grit, stay off the flax seeds! Soz...
Posts: 21 | Registered: May 2004
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If you just take some orange juice and put it in a blender with strawberries and bananas it tastes wicked good.
Posts: 3420 | Registered: Jun 2002
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Does that MB thing really work well? I saw it on TV, but I NEVER buy anything that advertises with an infomercial, so I never tried it.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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I've never made a fruit smoothie before, but Stoney Field farm makes the best raspberry smoothies. Way better than Dannon and organic too. With no icky seeds.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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It's not as hot this year, so far at least. Which is good, but means I haven't really been in a smoothie mood yet.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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When I was in India you could get fresh fruit smoothies EVERYWHERE. Nearly every single restaurant had them, and in the market district there would be a "fruit juice" stand about once per block. They were great. I think a lot of them added sugar, so that may not follow the diet plans.
Recipe tended to be: Fruit, Ice, Milk, possibly sugar. I think the freshness of all the fruit there made a big difference. I particularly liked Mango and Pineapple.
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Get yourself to a Smoothie King and copy down their menu. Then run to a health store and pick up some good supplements to mix in. I'd never remember to take my iron pills if I didn't find a way to hide them in a strawberry/banana/pineapple/kiwi smoothie.
Freeze your fruit and it'll last a good long time. Avoid adding anything with unnatural sugar. Stick with the yogurt (dairy is great for weight-loss) but try and find it fat-free.
I love smoothies. Such a good and filling way to satisfy my sweet-tooth.
Posts: 1733 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Bananas are super frozen, as has been noted. I also like a little cottage cheese (Breakstone's is the best) and skim milk in my smoothie. I usually add a sweetner, too. Something I keep meaning to try is a bit of peanut butter.
Posts: 516 | Registered: Aug 2004
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My two favorites when I make smoothies at home:
Vanilla yogurt, frozen strawberries, banana. If the strawberries are frozen, you don't have to add ice.
Vanilla yogurt, crushed ice, banana, and chunky peanut butter. Protein!
I have a recipe box at home called the Smoothie Deck. Lots of good stuff in there. One I tried that was really good was an apple cinnamon smoothie made with vanilla ice cream, homemade apple sauce, cinnamon and nutmeg.
I haven't had the time to make smoothies at home, so I've been going to Jamba Juice a lot lately. These are my two usuals:
Cranberry Craze: cranberry juice blend, raspberry sherbet, frozen strawberries, nonfat plain yogurt, frozen blueberries, ice. I really love this one. It's going to be lunch today.
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I usually add banana to all of mine because we always have an especially ripe banana. I love pineapple, orange, banana. I actually don't mind the seeds in the strawberry, but I also add oats or flax seed to mine on occasion, so I'm used to a bit of "grit" If you'd like to be more Atkins friendly, Atkins does make vanilla protein shake powder and I've added a teaspon of that. You have to be careful, though, because it can make the smoothie very chalky if you add too much. 
