Vitamix is the best, but I make do with a fine good quality blender and use the recipes from "Energize your Life" and "Perfect smoothies and Juices"
for our weekend brunches and the occasional pick me up during the week.
Here is an easy one called VITAL FORCE - immune booster
9 oz fresh beet
1/2 in piece of fresh horseradish
1/2 grapefruit
1. Juice all three ingredients and mix well
2. Pour into a small tumbler and serve with a little extra grated horseradish
Benefits - Energy boost - five stars
Nutrients: Vitamin C and folate , copper, iron, magnesium, zinc
Body Benefits: Immune System, blood, tissue-helaing, blood fats, detoxifying
Helps fight infection
Melon Magic - aperitif - awaken your appetite:) tastes good and is good for you:)
1/4 water melon
1/4 cantaloupe melon
1/4 honeydew melon
1 pinch cinnamon
1. Peel and seed the melons
2. Blend together. Serve poured over ice cubes in a tall glass
3. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon
Energy Boost - five stars
Nutrients: Vitamin A, copper
Body benefits: Skin, immune & nervous systems, blood and bones
Last one - called four seasons SPRING - is really a version of my grandma's recipe for detoxifying every spring
Highly recommend this one!
1/2 cucumber - 1 scallion, 2 carrots, 1 stalk celery - my tip: use only the tender parts inside and the leaves, not the bitter hard outside stalks.
1 handful dandelion leaves (if you can't get them - your health food store carries dandelion tea - works the same:), 1 pinch thyme (you know those little herb plants that Lowes and Home Depot sells or grow your own:), and 1 pinch salt.
1. Juice the cucumber, scallion, celery and dandelion leaves.
2. Add the thyme and salt - mix well
3. Serve chilled
Energy boost - 4 stars
Nutrients: Vitamin A, K, B & folate, calcium, iron, manganese and zinc.
Body Benefits: Digestive, urinary & immune systems, detoxifying.
The smoothie book has a nice variety like apricot and orange smoothies, tomato blazer, or one called Black and Blue - which is blackberry, blueberries, ice cold water and yoghurt, tropical fruit smoothies ...
Two of my favs are carrot cocktail and detox special - both simple cheap and yummy.
CARROT COCKTAIL pretty orange smoothie
3 oz/85g raw carrots, rougly chopped
1 1/2 medium pineapple, rougly chopped
1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp honey
Place in blender until you have a smoothie - pour over ice, serve with a sprig of mint:)
DETOX SPECIAL - kiwi green smoothie:)
1 mango
4 kiwis
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice and 4 fresh mint leaves
1. Cut mango into 2 thick slices as close to the pit as possible. Chop coarsely. Cut off any flesh adhering to the pit. Peel the kiwis and chop.
2. Place all ingredients in your blender and process to smoothie consistency.
Hope that helps with a few specifics - I often just buy whatever fruit is on sale - add ice cream or yoghurt or orange juice or milk or sparkiling water - blend it up and call it our special of the day:)
But honestly, how can you resist trying out coconut cream - peppermint refresher - raspberry ripple rice cream - going bananas - midsummer smoothie iced coffee and chocolate crush -fig and maple melter, mocha cream or the red reviver and the green goddess.
Just think of your favorite fruits and veggies and concoct your own or find a recipe on line.
Enjoy that Vitamix:)!