Homemade Smoothies Are Healthy, Easy, and Delicious

January 8, 2009

Since my brother moved to Los Angeles four years ago, he's picked up many stereotypical LA attributes. He thinks driving below 80 MPH is slow, is permanently tan, and starts every morning with a smoothie.

He used to frequent Jamba Juice, but realized a homemade variation was more healthy and cost effective. When he was home for the holidays, he taught me how to make the perfect smoothie.

The first step to making a scrumptious smoothie is to be creative. Start with your favorite frozen fruit and go from there. Although many people put ice in a smoothie, my bro avoids it.

Frozen fruit works fine at keeping the smoothie cold; it ensures a thick, creamy, not watered-down texture. He buys frozen fruit in bulk from Costco and keeps his fridge stocked with a variety of juices like acai berry, pineapple, apple, and mango. Other occasional mix-ins are soy milk, acai berry smoothie packs, protein powder, or flax. To check out two of his ultimate smoothie recipes, read more.

From Michael Sweeney

The Basic Classic Smoothie

Ingredients

6 frozen strawberries*
3/4 cup plain, low-fat yogurt (feel free to substitute a flavored yogurt for plain: strawberry and blueberry work well)
1 banana
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon of honey
protein powder or flax, optional

Directions

Place the frozen strawberries in the blender. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, so they have time to thaw.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend. Check consistency: if too watery, add more yogurt. If too thick, add more orange juice.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Makes 1 smoothie.

*When I made this I thought I had frozen strawberries in the freezer. However I mistook them for raspberries. Instead of running to the store for frozen strawberries, I used the raspberries.

From Kevin Gigax

The K-Gizzle

Ingredients

5 frozen strawberries
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/3 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1 banana
1 heaping tablespoon vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Place the frozen berries in the blender. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, so they have time to thaw.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend. Check consistency: if too watery, add more yogurt. If too thick, add more orange juice.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Makes 1 smoothie.

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27 Comments

msdecember 1 year 18 weeks

thanks to your brother! i've been looking for the perfect smoothie recipe and this comes pretty darn close.

POPSUGAR Food 4 years 19 weeks

@flyingroo - LOL I wish! I will say, however, that one should not try mixing vodka with Jamba Juice. In theory, it sounds promising, but something about it just doesn't work!

Modus Vivendi 4 years 19 weeks

(I usually sub in peaches.)

Modus Vivendi 4 years 19 weeks

(I usually sub in peaches.)

Modus Vivendi 4 years 19 weeks

Yum-yes! Smoothies without bananas are a rare breed. I just dusted off my blender so I can make pureed (sp?) cauliflower and have been trying to think of other uses for it.

Modus Vivendi 4 years 19 weeks

Yum-yes! Smoothies without bananas are a rare breed.I just dusted off my blender so I can make pureed (sp?) cauliflower and have been trying to think of other uses for it.

neonbee 4 years 19 weeks

I always make smoothies. I shall try these.

chiefdishwasher 4 years 19 weeks

Fresh fruit works but it will not be as cold.

Spectra 4 years 19 weeks

I like smoothies, but not ones that have a lot of dairy in them. I like them to be more like slushies, not like milkshakes. My favorite smoothie is a bunch of frozen blueberries, a bit of lime juice, a handful of frozen strawberries, and about 1/4 cup of skim milk. I blend it up with maybe a tablespoon of sugar and it's naturally thick and delicious.

aimeeb 4 years 19 weeks

Does fresh fruit work just as good?

new 4 years 19 weeks

love smoothies because you can combine so many things. I usually just use 1 banana and a handful of strawberries or other berries to create simple fruit smoothies. or use banana and pineapple with limejuice to make a lovely summer fruit smoothie.

flyingroo 4 years 19 weeks

Me thinks Yumsugar must have had a couple of spiked smoothies earlier... ;-)

krae85 4 years 19 weeks

I like watermelon smoothies :)

chiefdishwasher 4 years 19 weeks

Have one every day. I pour the juice and yougurt in with the berrys and think they actually thaw more sitting together for a few minutes before blending.

mannylove 4 years 19 weeks

When I had dental surgery I started making myself lots of smoothies, one of the only things I was able to eat. But it was great, b/c I realized how yummy & easy they are, healthy too, which is always a plus!

syako 4 years 19 weeks

I just got a stick blender for christmas, printing these recipes out and making them this weekend! Thanks for them!

ilanac13 4 years 19 weeks

living in Florida, i became a JJ junkie, but you're soo right about how you can have more control on cost and cals if you make them yourself!

sofi 4 years 19 weeks

my kids love smoothies and this will help me a bit more creative!

partysugar 4 years 19 weeks

Yum's a little loopy today guys! I was like, "hey Yum both smoothie recipes have bananas," and she said, "what?! no they don't! Oh man I am so out of it today..."

valancyjane 4 years 19 weeks

One of my mailing lists this morning recommended putting spinach in a smoothie - they swore you couldn't taste it! I'm not too sure about that ... but the few times I've had morning smoothies (without spinach!), it's been easy and tasted good. Stick blenders make them a breeze!