Summer Fruit Smoothie

I've already written a post about my crazy passion for healthy, filling, goodforeverything fruit (in case you missed it, click here for a bajillion reasons why fruit should be a part of your life every day!)  There are a few smoothie stores around town- Smoothie King and Jamba Juice- and I love them both, don't get me wrong.  But why go to the trouble of getting in your car, driving to the store, spending money on a smoothie, and driving back home- all when you can make (an even healthier one) at home?

Most smoothies at smoothie shops have fruit that has been shipped in- meaning it was in a truck or airplane for an extended time.  They're also often times filled with sugar and artificial ingredients, but this can be avoided by asking for the ingredients list and substituting fresh for faux.  Let's be honest, though, are you really going to read all about the smoothies or are you just going to order the one with the tastiest title or the best description?  

Freeze your overripe fruit!

Summer is a fruit lover's favorite season, and you can easily use these fruits to make delicious smoothies for snack time or breakfast.  Seriously, pick up your favorite three fruits, throw them in the blender with some yogurt or milk, a few ice cubes, and bam!- you have a fresh, healthy snack.  Like I've said before, DO NOT THROW AWAY FRUIT THAT IS GOING OLD!! If your bananas are getting too soft for your liking, your watermelon is getting soggy, or your strawberries are getting mushy- put them in a ziplock baggie and throw them in the freezer for your next smoothie.  

Here's a recipe for a smoothie that I made this morning.  Going to the effort of getting dressed, driving to Jamba Juice, and spending money (that I didn't need to spend) just didn't sound appealing.  Instead, I opened up my fridge and started throwing stuff in the blender.  What came out was refreshing, fresh, and delicious (and did I mention, free?)  Okay, so no, the fruit doesn't all come free, but think about it this way:  the smoothie recipe below (which yields two servings) includes watermelon, strawberries, banana, espresso, and yogurt.

I used 2 cups of watermelon- an average watermelon ($7.00) probably yields about 15 cups of watermelon.

I used 6 strawberries- an average container of strawberries ($4.00) has about 20 in it.

I used 1 banana- an average banana bunch ($3.00) has usually 4-7 bananas in it.

I used 1 tablespoon of espresso- one bag of espresso ($9.00) has about 40 tablespoons in it.

I used 8 ounces of yogurt- one box of yogurt ($5.00) has four yogurt containers in it.

So that adds up to be $28.00, yes, but if you JUST used that stuff for smoothies? You could make 20 smoothies!  $28.00 at Jamba Juice or Smoothie King will get you maybe 4 smoothies.  Not to mention, you don't get to keep the extra leftover fruit!  So save yourself some money, get yourself some healthiness, and whip up a homemade summer smoothie today.

Summer Fruit Smoothie

Kate Strickland

Servings: 2, Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 4

Summer Fruit Smoothie

• 2 c watermelon (deseed if you want, but that's a lot of work when the seeds just get crushed up anyway)
• 6 strawberries, sliced
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 tbsp espresso (for a little pick me up)
• 8 oz Fiber One Light Blueberry yogurt
• 6 ice cubes

1. Put all ingredients in blender with the harder ingredients at the bottom (like ice or fruit if it is frozen)
2. Blend thoroughly
3. Pour & enjoy!