Juices and Smoothies For Summertime

 

 

Juicing or making your own fresh tasting smoothies is quite a big trend right now, one that is gaining popularity by the day due to the fact that it’s a healthy way to get extra vitamins and nutrients from fruits and vegetables into your diet. Plus, during the hot summer months there are so many fruits that are naturally in season making them taste their very best. So take advantage of the freshness now while it lasts to have some of the best tasting juices, and smoothies on hand for you and your family to enjoy.

They are even nice to have mid-day as a snack after playing outside or a trip to the pool. You can even pack them to go by putting them into a chilled thermos to keep them cold for awhile after you are hanging out in the lovely summer sun. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your own fruit and veggie combination to find out what appeals most to your own tastebuds. If you can’t stand the addition of the green stuff (spinach or kale) then omit it. You’ll still get plenty of nutrients from the fruits alone.

Adding the greens will increase the fiber content which is helpful since you need around 25-20 grams of fiber for great digestion daily. A Vitamix blender is recommended due to its powerful motor at blending all kind of fruits and veggies, but a regular blender will work as well.

 

June’s Fruits and Veggies

 

Veggies–Corn, and lettuce.

 

Fruits–Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, cherries, blueberries, peaches, and apricots.

 

July’s Best Bounty

 

Veggies–Cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, corn, green beans, and lettuce.

 

Fruits– Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches,apricots, kiwi, plums, and raspberries.

 

August Is Still Summertime Fresh

 

Veggies–Cucumbers, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, and lettuce.

 

Fruits–Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches,apricots, kiwi, plums, and raspberries.

 

Recipes Using Fresh Ingredients:

 

Morning Blast Berry Smoothie

Serves 2

 

8 strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup raspberries

1 banana

handful spinach or kale

1 cup crushed ice

2 cups almond, skim, or cashew milk

 

Blend well for 2 minutes in your Vitamix Blender, until smooth. Berrylicious!

 

Melon Juice with Cucumbers

Serves 2

 

1 half mini watermelon, seeded and cut into cubes

1 half cantaloupe, cubed

½ cup organic apple juice

1 cup seltzer

sliced cucumber

 

Blend watermelon, cantaloupe, and ice together until smooth. Top off with seltzer and sliced cucumber. Refreshing!

 

Midday Protein Boost Smoothie

serves 2

 

1 cup organic natural peanut, almond or cashew butter

2 cups almond, rice, skim, or cashew milk

2 bananas

1 cup crushed ice

handful spinach or kale

 

Blend everything until smooth. Drink immediately. Don’t you just love peanut butter in anything?