Summer Smoothies
FRUIT-FILLED REFRESHMENT AND NOURISHMENT

Tropical Fruit Smoothie, Fruit & Nut Breakfast Smoothie, Three Melon Smoothie, Luscious Lime Smoothie, Peanut Butter-Berry Smoothie and Berry-Blue Vanilla Smoothie

(Family Features) - As summer kicks into high gear and grocery stores and farmers' markets fill their produce shelves with the freshest picks of the season, it's a great time to consider ways to add more fruits and vegetables into your family's diet. And Summer Smoothies can do just that by providing a glassful of convenient, refreshing nourishment and a simple way to enjoy delicious fruit.

Summer is the time to enjoy an array of wonderful fruits and vegetables, starting in June with "National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month." These foods are a great way to add vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, such as antioxidants, to the diet. Beneficial antioxidants can be found in many fruits and juices, such as blueberries and orange juice.

According to the National Cancer Institute eating lots of fruits and vegetables as part of a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Many health professionals encourage Americans to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

A serving can be:

• 1 medium-sized whole fruit, such as a banana, peach or plum
• 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice, such as orange or tomato juice
• 1/2 cup fresh, frozen or canned fruit, such as grapes, melon, blueberries or fruit cocktail - or vegetables, such as green beans, carrots or tomatoes
• 1 cup raw leafy greens, such as romaine lettuce, spinach or collard greens
• 1/2 cup cooked peas or beans, such as black-eye peas or navy, black or pinto beans
• 1/4 cup dried fruit, such as apricots or raisins

FRUIT IN A GLASS

Smoothies can provide nourishment as well as refreshment. Try Fruit & Nut Breakfast Smoothie for a nutritious morning meal, providing a whopping three servings of fruit - two from the fruit and one from the juice. It doesn't get more convenient than that.

Kids will love the Peanut Butter-Berry Smoothie, a take-off on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This drink makes a terrific breakfast or wholesome snack and delivers four fruit servings as well. For small children who may not be consuming enough fruit, the idea of "drinking your fruit" is a perfect alternative.

Smoothies are also a great way to incorporate new and unexpected ingredients - like soy milk, wheat germ and nuts. These ingredients add texture and nutritional value and make the drinks more interesting, especially for adults.

So break out the blender and keep it on the kitchen counter for the next few months. Keep it cool, simple and delicious with Summer Smoothies.

Recipe Directions:

Smoothies are easy to make! Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour smoothie into a large glass and garnish if desired. Each recipe makes one 10-ounce serving - double or triple the ingredients and make additional batches for more servings.

Remember the following tips for "perfecting" your smoothie:

• Freeze fruit ahead of time for a frostier drink
• Try to use the freshest fruit in season
• Too thick? Add more juice
• Too thin? Add more fruit
• Too tart? Add a sugar substitute, molasses or maple syrup
• Too sweet? Add citrus juice

Tropical Fruit Smoothie

3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Blends Orange Passion
1/2 cup cubed mango
1/2 cup cubed papaya
1/2 cup cubed pineapple
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1/3 cup vanilla-flavored soy milk
1/4 cup shredded coconut, optional
1 cup crushed ice

Fruit Servings: Four

Fruit & Nut Breakfast Smoothie

3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
2 small apricots, peeled and cubed
1 medium nectarine, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
2 scoops orange sherbet or fat-free vanilla- flavored frozen yogurt
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 cup crushed ice

Fruit Servings: Three

Three Melon Smoothie

3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
2 scoops fat-free vanilla- flavored frozen yogurt
1/2 cup cubed cantaloupe
1/2 cup cubed honeydew melon
1/2 cup cubed watermelon
1 cup crushed ice

Fruit Servings: Four

Luscious Lime Smoothie

3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
2 scoops lime sherbet
1 ripe medium banana
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 kiwifruit, peeled and halved
1 cup crushed ice

Fruit Servings: Four

Peanut Butter-Berry Smoothie

3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
1/4 cup plain soy milk
1 ripe medium banana
1/2 cup cubed cantaloupe
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sliced strawberries or raspberries
1 cup crushed ice

Fruit Servings: Four

Berry-Blue Vanilla Smoothie

3/4 cup Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice
1 medium peach, cubed
1/2 cup blueberries
2 scoops fat-free vanilla-flavored frozen yogurt
1 tablespoon crushed pecans
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup crushed ice

Fruit Servings: Three

For more information on Minute Maid Premium juices and juice drinks, call the Consumer Information Center at 1-800-888-6488, or visit the Web site at www.minutemaid.com.

Minute Maid is a sponsor of the Food & Nutrition Center on MayoClinic.com.

SOURCE: Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice