-- Smoothies are the newest trend in healthy drinks coast to coast
-- Juice bars charge up to $3.25 for a 24-ounce smoothie, but they can be made at home in just five minutes with a standard blender
Horrified by the preservatives and additives in commercial baby foods, Gabriel Constans sought a nutritious alternative for his young daughter. With a simple kitchen blender, he created healthful, tasty drinks from fresh fruits and vegetables, and was delighted at how easily his daughter consumed them. Now all the rage at juice bars -- which are springing up almost as quickly as coffee bars did in the '80s -- smoothies are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, and a refreshing way to get some of the five to ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables recommended by the USDA. As an added bonus, they're delicious and easy to make. Constans's book contains advice on blenders and ingredients, and of course, a variety of his tried-and-true recipes, including:
-- The Morning Lift-off bananas, orange juice, cooked oatmeal, Grape Nuts, tofu, honey, an egg, and wheat germ
-- The Luscious Lassi: plain yogurt, fresh mango, milk and honey
-- The Mahatma: curry, raisins, cashew bits, plain yogurt, milk, and brown rice
-- The Picasso: bananas, raspberries, grapes, orange juice, cranberry juice, tofu, protein powder, peanut butter, ginger powder, honey, and vanilla
Constans's smoothies take less time to make than a trip through a fast-food drive-thru -- and they're far healthier. He also includes chapters on "Decadent Desserts" and even "For Adults Only".
