Rae Udy

RECIPES: Protein Breakfast Smoothie, Maple Berry Blast, Creamy Orange Smoothie, Honey of a Shake

By Rae Udy

There really is no right or wrong way to make a smoothie and they are perfect for a quick summer breakfast, a refreshing midday snack or a sweet and creamy midnight dessert.
Start your day with a Protein Breakfast Smoothie and benefit from an energy boost all day long. This easy-to-make smoothie contains soy protein powder and brewer’s yeast for added nutrients and flavor.
One scoop of soy protein powder provides a whopping 25 grams of protein or 50 percent of daily value needed. This protein powder is fine for vegetarians and vegans and is sugar-free and contains zero carbohydrates. With no cholesterol, one and one-half grams of fat and 120 calories per serving, this vanilla flavored powder can be added to any smoothie. (The brand I buy is ProLife Soy Protein Powder.)
Source : ( www.natureslife.com ) and http://vitanetonline.com/description/15301/vitamins/
Pro-Life-Soy-Protein/#Pro-Life-Soy-Protein-9
Brewer’s yeast sometimes get a thumbs down on taste for a bitter flavor some varieties have, but KAL Nutritional Yeast Flakes has a delightful nutty flavor and it mixes easily with liquids. One serving, or three tablespoons, adds another nine grams of protein to your smoothie. This brand is also a great source of B 12 for vegans and is also gluten-free.
Source: ( www.nutraceutical.com ) ( This information was taken from the package container, I can’t find a nutritional breakdown at their website.)
Maple Berry Blast is also great in the morning. Bananas and maple syrup add potassium and sweetness to this hearty smoothie.
Creamy Orange Smoothie is great for breakfast, snack time or dessert. This is a good way to provide kids with vitamin C, calcium and protein.
Smoothies also make an easy summer dessert and Honey of a Shake is no exception. Have the kids help you make these fun and easy smoothies for summer and year around.

PROTEIN BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE
1 cup pineapple coconut juice or your favorite juice
1 scoop soy protein powder
3 Tablespoons KAL Nutritional Yeast Flakes
6 to 8 ice cubes
Place ice cubes in a tall glass. Pour juice over ice. Add small amount of cold water to cover ice cubes. Pour mixture into blender container. Add soy protein powder and brewer’s yeast. Cover with lid and process on liquefy setting until smooth. Pour back into serving glass and enjoy. Yields one serving.

CREAMY ORANGE SMOOTHIE
1 11-ounce can mandarin orange slices, drained
1 6-ounce container low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 cup orange juice
6 to 8 ice cubes
In a blender container combine mandarin orange slices, yogurt and orange juice. Cover and blend just to mix, about five seconds. Add one ice cube at a time to blender while mixing on high speed. Continue until mixture is thick and smooth. Yields three six-ounce servings.

MAPLE BERRY BLAST
1 cup frozen berries ( blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries or blackberries )
1 cup soy milk or skim milk
½ (one-half) banana
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
Place all ingredients in blender container in the order given. Blend on high speed until thick, about 30 seconds. Pour into tall glasses to serve two.

HONEY OF A SHAKE
1 ½ (one and one-half) cups skim or soy milk
1 ½ (one and one-half) cups strawberries, sliced
1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
2 Tablespoons honey
5 or 6 ice cubes
Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in a blender and blend until thick and creamy. Add ice cubes one at a time and blend until smooth. Yields two servings.