Uma Thurman has been a guest star in the last couple episodes as the celebrity Rebecca who is taking over the lead role in the shows musical. And Uma’s celebrity character has a huge demand – for SMOOTHIES!

Have you ever noticed how many celebrities love smoothies? Have you noticed how fabulous celebrities look? Is there a connection? YES – I believe so, anyway.

In fact, there is even a 1,200 calorie a day juicing/smoothie diet plan that celebrities like Gwen Stefani are fans of. If smoothies work to keep celebrities looking stellar, then it could work for you too!

Can I have my kale, coconut water, flaxseed smoothie please?!

These are the key ingredients in Uma Thurman’s characters smoothie! So what are they, and why do they work?

Kale: A super green powerhouse food that is quickly taking over in popularity. At only 35 calories a serving, it’s loaded with nutrients including, vitamin K (1,020%), vitamin A (180%), and vitamin C (200%). This leafy veggie also contains 40% of your daily required magnesium and 15% of your daily calcium and vitamin B6.

Kale is also a good source of minerals like copper, iron, potassium, manganese, and phosphorus. Plus, it has 5g of fiber in a single serving – which we all know keeps you feeling fuller longer and helps clean out your gut!

With all the nutrients, phytonurients, Carotenoids and flavonoids (antioxidants) Kale is a cancer fighting machine, which also lowers your cholesterol and promotes normal blood clotting, antioxidant activity, and bone health. It’s also great for your eyes thanks to lutein and zeaxanthin compounds.

Coconut Water: Naturally low in calories and fat-free, this electrolyte packed beverage will quickly hydrate your body! Coconut water is the liquid found inside young coconuts before they mature. It contains almost twice as much potassium as a banana.

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, which in turn helps to prevent related issues like stroke, heart attack and hangovers! Coconut water also has a small amount of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and is low in sodium.

Flaxseed: By simply sprinkling this little seed into your food, you are helping to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Rich in Omega-3’s, Fiber and Lignans (they can contain up to 800x as much lignans vs. other veggies! Wow!) flaxseeds also helps out with inflammation and hot flashes!

Make your own version of Uma Thurman’s Smoothie today!

Using the three primary ingredients above as the foundation, you can add different fruits to create your own adaptation of the SMASH smoothie!

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup kale
• 1/2 banana
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tsp flaxseed

Tear kale leaves off of stems and tear into small shapes. Put coconut water in the blender followed by all the other ingredients. Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Dark Chocolate is approved on most diet plans. I love to end my day with a little nibble of 60% (or more) cocoa dark chocolate. Even though dark chocolate is diet approved, the calorie content can still get a little high, so I started searching for an alternative.

That’s when I discovered just plain old cocoa powder and started adding it to my coffee and smoothies. Or now I’ll end my evening with a good ol’ fashion mug of steamy hot chocolate.

What can Cocoa do for you?

Harvard Researchers have released their analysis from 21 studies where the participants who consumed cocoa regularly showed improved blood vessel health, a decrease in blood pressure and an improvement in cholesterol levels. This is believed to be in thanks to due cocoa’s high content of flavonoids.

Cocoa contains polyphenolic flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that are commonly found in fruits, veggies, wine, coffee and tea. Cocoa is so packed with this rich nutrient that researchers at Cornell University have found that 2 tbsp of cocoa powder contains nearly three times more antioxidants then a cup of green tea.

Flavonoids found in cocoa are believed to not only help with heart disease but they also reduce risk factors for diabetes and cancer (especially colon cancer). Research has shown that those who consume cocoa regularly have less than 10% chance of having a stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes. PLUS, flavonoids help our skin look good!

Magnesium is another key nutrient in cocoa, which will benefit you in the bathroom. It helps to promote digestion and will keep you regular, avoiding constipation. Ladies, the high magnesium also helps relieve the dreaded pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS). Another benefit of the magnesium is its ability to reduce risks with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cocoa has been found to help reduce inflammation. It’s also found that it helps soothe problems with the trigeminal nerve, which helps with migraines and issues with the temporomandibular joint.

If you’re a nursing mother, cocoa increases your milk supply. It has also been shown to increase libido.

Best of all, cocoa contains phenylethylamines, which is a mood enhancer. Cocoa is a powerful tool in the battle of depression. It helps reduce stress hormones and lifts spirits.

Make a smoothie with Cocoa today!

Cocoa Crush Smoothie

• 1 cup milk (soymilk or almond milk work too)
• 6 oz non-fat or low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1cup frozen blueberries
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 TBSP Cocoa

Add liquids to blender, followed by the fruits. Blend together and enjoy!

I’m always looking for new smoothie recipes to try with Cocoa. Please leave me a comment below with yours!

You can always tell when I’m having a “no carb” day though because I’m on edge! I might physically look better, but on the inside I’m a crabby, lightheaded, jittery mess!

This sent me on the hunt for the proper balance of carbohydrates that will keep me slim, yet functioning happily.

But first, I had to understand…

What are carbohydrates and how do they work?

Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient that we consume in a variety of different products.

There are three different types of carbs; Fiber (the good stuff that keeps feeling fuller and takes longer to digest), Starch (my booty is not a fan of this kind) and Sugar.

Now, there are three main types of sugar, too: Fructose – from fruit; Sucrose – a.k.a. table sugar (my booty isn’t a fan here, either!); and lactose – from milk.

Often times carbs occur naturally, like in our grains, milk, nuts, seeds, legumes, veggies and fruit. Other carbohydrates are added to our food and beverages in the forms of starch and sugar by food manufactures.

Our bodies use carbohydrates as its main energy source. When we digest high amounts of carbs, our bodies turn most of it into glucose (sugar). Our bloodstream transports the glucose throughout our bodies.

When our body detects a rise in our blood sugar (glucose) levels, then our pancreas starts to produce the hormone insulin to help moderate the glucose level. The insulin absorbs the glucose and transports it out of our blood stream. The glucose is then either used as energy or is stored, either as fat or as glycogen in your muscles.

It’s important to note that our bodies can only store half a day’s worth of glucose.

What are “net carbs” and what is a “glycemic index”?

The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate these two terms, so there’s no proper definition for them. But here is what most diet plans and doctors mean when they refer to them.

Carbohydrates that are not absorbed into our blood stream are fiber and sugar alcohol (Splenda is an example of a sugar alcohol). When figuring out products “net carbs” you would subtract the fiber and sugar alcohol from the total carb amount. This remaining number is your “net carb”, giving you an idea of the number of carbs that would increase your blood sugar level.

The glycemic index classifies carbohydrate-containing foods according to their potential to raise your blood sugar level. A GI value of 55 and below is low, 56 to 69 is medium and 70 and above is high. The health benefits of a low GI diet include weight loss, maintaining weight, prevention of cardiovascular disease and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Most (but not all) naturally occurring carbs are on the low glycemic index side. Higher GI produce you might consider avoiding while dieting include: potatoes, parsinps, pumpkin, watermelons, and dates.

Any questions or anything to add, class? Share with us in the comments below!

What are Artificial Colors?

Exempt Color Additives (aka “natural artificial colors”) are derived from plant, animal or mineral sources which have been processed in some way.

Examples of some Exempt Color Additives include vegetable juice and spices like paprika, turmeric and saffron. When these colors are in your products, they are not required to be specifically labeled and can be simply called, Artificial Coloring, Artificial Color Added, or Color Added.

Certifiable Color Additives (aka “artificial colors”) are derived from petroleum distillates or coal tars and are essentially synthetic chemicals created in laboratories. These 7 artificial colors are required to be specifically labeled on products and will read as Blue # 1, Blue #2, Green #3, Red #3, Red #40, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6. (Other acceptable ways for the label to read is simply “Red 40”)

It’s important to understand the “FD&C” on a label.  In FD&C Red Dye #40, the “F” stands for food, the “D” stands for drugs and the “C” stands for cosmetics. If you see D&C Red Dye #3, that means it’s not approved for our food. So why would you ingest it with medicine?

Artificial colors are added in almost all our foods from dairy and cereal products to dressings, cakes, cookies, chips and beverages. It’s also added into our medicines and even vitamins. So make sure to read your labels!

The hidden dangers of Certifiable Color Additives

Blue #2 may cause asthma.

Green #3 has caused growth inhibition in rats. It’s prohibited in the European Union and other countries in food.

Those who have asthma and are allergic to aspirin have a high chance of being intolerant to Yellow #5. The side effects of this blend can include itching, hives, anxiety, headache, depression, blurred vision, rash, weakness, heat waves, runny nose, and sleep disturbances.

In children, it could cause obsessive compulsive disorder. It’s use is restricted in Austria and Germany and it’s banned in Norway.

Red  #40, Red  #3, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, and Blue #1 are linked to impulse control issues, attentiveness issues and hyperactivity (ADD & ADHD) in our children.

Red  #40 can lower your child’s IQ and has been linked to sleep disorders.

Red #40 in adults can trigger migraines, give you an upset tummy and make you feel jittery.

Those who are allergic to aspirin can have an adverse reaction to Red #40 and Yellow #6, including rash, diarrhea and nausea.

Red #40 is so awful for us that it’s not recommended for our children in most countries in Europe. It’s 100% banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, and Norway. It’s even banned now in hummingbird food.

Did you know that if Red #3 and #40 were sprayed on weeds it could act as a pesticide? The FDA is currently considering banning Red  #3 because in large quantities, it has proven to cause cancer in lab rats, photosensitivity and birth defects.

At our house, we’re playing outside almost daily, and my kiddos have started with their nonstop request of popsicles!

As a mother, I want to be able to give my children whatever their little hearts desire, but I don’t want to put junk into their bodies that doesn’t belong there. This includes most popsicles (bogus) ingredients: high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and artificial colors.

The amount of sugar we’re eating is alarming. The fructose in sugar and in high fructose corn syrup goes directly to our liver and is converted into fat, which can cause health issues like heart disease and diabetes.

Red Dye #40, Yellow Dye’s #5 & #6 have been linked to migraines and hyperactivity. Red Dye #40 has also shown to lower IQ levels and is banned in most countries in Europe.  We notice an immediate positive difference in our home when we eliminate these foods.

How to make your own healthy juice pops!

Even though it’s sometimes tough for me to get my kiddos to drink my juicing creations, I can ALWAYS get them to enjoy it in a frozen juice pop! You can find the frozen juice pop molds just about anywhere, even super markets. They are relatively inexpensive at about $5 for your basic set of 6 pops.

Simply juice or blend your favorite concoction and pour into the molds. Place the molds into the freezer for about 4 hours so they can set, and enjoy!

If you want to make a super fancy juice pop, try adding berries into the mold.

Or you can make a layered frozen pop by pouring one juice into the mold, filling it 1/2 of the way. Freeze for 2 hours. Pour another juice on top of the 1^st, filling the mold the rest of the way and freeze for 2 more hours. The variations on the layered pop are endless!

Try one of our favorite Juice Pop recipes!

Blended Strawberry Juice Pops (pictured)

• 2 cups Fresh Whole Strawberries
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Torini’s Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup
• 1 cup cold Water
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed

Cut strawberries into thin slices. Sprinkle over with 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp vanilla syrup. Leave in the fridge for two hours until the juice starts to come out. Process the strawberries with cold water and lemon juice in a blender. Strain the juice if desired and serve chilled.

Rise and Shine Pop

• 4 Carrots
• 2 Oranges

Cut the tops off of the carrots. Peel the oranges. Juice them up, pour into the molds and freeze!

Pina Colada Frozen Juice Pops

• 1 (5 oz) can pineapple chunks (with juice)
• 1 (10.5 oz) can coconut milk
• 2 bananas, peeled
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients and pour into molds. Place in freezer for 2-4 hours.

Don’t have a blender or juicer?

No problem-o! Simply mix these ingredients together, pour into the molds and freeze!

Cinnamon Pops

• 1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

What is your favorite DIY Frozen Juice Pop recipe?

If you’re following the eating schedule of 6 mini-meals a day (to boost metabolism, a schedule most used by those on a weight training program) then a bedtime snack is a necessity. Same might be said for those who are a diabetic monitoring their blood sugar levels overnight.

What are some healthy bedtime snacks?

First let’s talk about the foods to avoid. Here’s what you don’t want to have happen: You don’t want to have heartburn and/or indigestion and you don’t want to send your sugar levels through the roof. So it’s wise to avoid trigger foods such as spicy foods, sugary foods, citrus foods, tomato sauce, etc. 

What you do want to do is select foods that are easy to digest. You also want to choose foods that are high in fiber, protein, calcium and healthy fats, that way you can burn fat faster while you sleep.

Also, a new study out of the University of Wisconsin shows that foods high in potassium will help you maintain normal slow wave sleep (which is most refreshing wave of sleep to be in).

• Berries: All berries are low in sugar, and high in fiber. They help calm my sweet tooth. I love to pair my berries with a Deep Chocolate Vitalicious Vitatop (muffin tops that are low calorie, low fat, high fiber, good protein and nutritionally packed with vitamins and minerals).

• Almonds: A large handful is about 24 almonds. They are high in protein, fiber and omega 3’s! A perfect metabolism boosting, fat burning combo.

• Light/Nonfat Yogurt (I prefer Kroger’s CarbMaster Yogurt): The more calcium you consume, the less fat your body stores. Yogurt is also a great source of potassium.

If you really want to up the ante with consuming a food that will work for you, select one that is high in tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid that promotes feelings of calm and relaxation. It also contains serotonin to help you sleep! These snacks include:

• A handful of sunflower seeds
• Turkey slices wrapped around mozzarella cheese.
• Apple slices dipped in a spoonful of peanut butter
• A cup of warm milk sprinkled with nutmeg
• Scrambled eggs
• A cup of plain oatmeal sprinkled with cinnamon

Try this bedtime smoothie!

Tofu not only contains a large amount of tryptophan, but it’s soy content provides an ample source of potassium for a double sleep whammy! 

Tofu Strawberry Banana Smoothie 

• 3/4 cup silken tofu
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 frozen banana, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup soymilk, or low fat milk
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (optional, for more flavor, protein & potassium)
• 2-3 ice cubes

Blend and enjoy!

Share your other favorite bedtime snacks by leaving me a comment below!

I fell in LOVE with tofu, though when my baby was diagnosed as anemic and was put on a high iron diet.

Tofu is an excellent source of iron, providing 33.7% of our daily requirement (in a 4oz serving). While tofu is low in fat, it does provide 15% of our daily requirement of Omega 3’s! It’s also high in calcium at nearly 40%.

100g of tofu contains an average of 17g of protein!

What are other health benefits of Tofu?

While some adults and children should be aware that they might have a food allergy with tofu due to soy (just like some people can’t handle gluten), the health benefits of tofu can’t be ignored. Tofu contains isoflavones, which are plant hormones that does our body good, including fighting breast and colon cancer.

The FDA just approved packing of tofu (with quantities of 6.25g of soy per serving) to be labeled as a HEART HEALTHY FOOD with the ability to help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease thanks to its ability to lower your bad/lousy LDL cholesterol.

Isoflavones can directly scavenge free radicals, which prevents premature aging. It also may help prevent bone loss, which lowers your risk of osteoporosis. And ladies take note: it’s believed that isoflavones may play a role in the reducing menopausal symptoms. Yahooooo!

Isoflavones are so fantastic that they were the primary ingredient in University of Minnesota’s scientist “smart bomb” drug which has the potential to cure childhood leukemia.

Blending with Tofu!

The thing that I love the most about tofu is that it takes on the flavor of whatever you’re mixing (or cooking) it with. This makes tofu extremely versatile in the kitchen. We add tofu to our smoothies to up our nutritional content and add great texture!

Orange Breakfast Dream (pictured)

• 1 1/2 cups orange juice, chilled
• 1 cup milk, or light vanilla-flavored soy milk, chilled
• 1/3 cup silken tofu or soft tofu
• 1 tablespoon dark honey
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 ice cubes
• 4 peeled orange sections

This tastes just like an old-fashioned Creamsicle! Remember that the orange sections at the end are going to add pulp, so it you’d prefer a chunk-less smoothie, than simply omit the orange sections.

Tofu Energy Smoothie

• 1/2 cup of soft silken tofu
• 1 cup of fresh strawberries (sliced or quartered)
• 1/2 cup of low fat milk, or light vanilla soy milk
• 1 large banana (peeled, sliced, frozen)
• 2 tablespoons of pineapple juice concentrate (frozen)

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth!

Tofu can be saved up to a week in your refrigerator by submerging the tofu in water inside an airtight container with a lid. Make sure you change your water daily.

I’m always looking for new tofu recipes. Leave me a comment below with yours!

Did you know that the belly is actually the WORST place to store your fat? Fat stored here isn’t simply surface deep (also known as subcutaneous fat). Belly fat actually goes below the muscle line to build up around our organs (known as visceral fat).

Visceral fat is dangerous because it produces hormones and other substances that lowers your good/healthy HDL cholesterol, increases your bad/lousy LDL cholesterol (and remember that heart disease is the #1 killer of men and women!) It also raises our blood pressure, and makes it harder for our body to properly use insulin. All fat leads to cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or worse.

The real kicker about belly fat is even if your weight falls within the healthy BMI range, if you have a thicker midsection, then you have an increased chance of premature death.

To find out if you’re at risk, take a soft tape measure and wrap it around your waist just below your belly button. Relax and exhale. If your measurement is 35 or above for women, or 40 and above for men, then it’s time to trim the belly.

Get your blood pumping!

 The quickest and easiest way to break up belly fat is to get moving. You need to feel your heart pounding and shortness of breath. Interval training is a great way to go about this. When exercising, try 4 minutes on, 4 minutes off. Run for 4 minutes, and then walk for 4 minutes. If you don’t want to time it, jog a song and then walk a song. Aerobics classes follow this timing technique and it proves most effective.

Take a look at your diet.

Juicing, blending and dehydrating are perfect place to start when it comes to lowering your belly fat. Those who eat primarily plant-based diets (fruits, veggies, and whole grains), lean proteins and calorie count are thinner in the middle. Whenever friends of mine are struggling with their midsection, I always suggest one other thing – cut out Partially Hydrogenated Oil and Hydrogenated Oils. 

This food ingredient is created by adding hydrogen to oil. It’s done so to extend the products shelf life, which unfortunately leads to trans fat. This ingredient is being added to more and more of our food, yet most countries in Europe have now banned its use. Look for it in margarine, shortening, crackers, cakes, cookies, chips, peanut butter and coffee creamers (boo!)

Especially watch out for Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil because it depresses your thyroid, which lowers your energy. Also, look out for Mono-and Di-Glycerides, which is a fancy new name for trans fat that don’t have to be reported on the labels.

What are your favorite tummy trimming tricks? We’re all in this together, so leave me a comment below!

Bring on the add-ins!

While certain add-ins like vitamins can take away from the flavor of your smoothie, there are many other ingredients that are ah-mazing!

So, here it is: my top 5 favorite smoothie add-ins!

Flaxseed

Ground flaxseed adds healthy fat (Omega-3!!!) and fiber to your smoothie! Flaxseeds also contain Lignan, which is a huge help in the fight against cancer. There is also some evidence that flaxseeds may help reduce your risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

Wheat Germ

Wheat Germ is one of the best sources of folic acid. For those of us who suffer from anemia, or are pregnant, folic acid is a must!  Wheat germ also contains a phytonutrient called L-ergothioneine, which is a powerful antioxidant. And hurray for another source of fiber!

Cocoa Powder

Researchers at Cornell University have found that 2 tbsp of cocoa powder contains nearly three times more antioxidants than a cup of green tea. Cocoa also contains magnesium, which is key for battling diabetes and high blood pressure. It’s also been used for centuries to help breast milk production, and increase  libido!

Tofu (soft or silken)

Tofu adds a rich, creamy texture to your smoothies and a ton of protein! It’s great for lowering your lousy (LDL) cholesterol, and it can even help alleviate symptoms of menopause. Tofu also contains isoflavones, which prevents premature aging! What I love most about tofu though is that it’s flavorless, so it takes on the essence of whatever you’re mixing it with.

Protein Powders

The three main versions of protein are whey, hemp, and soy. They are sold in plain and flavored powered versions and can be mixed in with any smoothie. Whey protein is milk based and is my personal favorite. According to Dr. Mike Moreno, a dietician, it’s the best protein out there. Whey protein is loaded with amino acids and thanks to its high levels of leucine, it promotes fat loss, all while keeping your muscle lean.

Simply sprinkle the powders into your favorite smoothies, or try one of these recipes!

Flax Tofu Mango Peach Smoothie 

• 2 servings of silken or soft tofu
• 1/2 cup rice milk
• 1/2 cup soymilk
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1/2 cup frozen peaches
• 1 teaspoon flaxseed

Add liquids to blender, followed by the tofu, frozen fruits and flaxseed. Blend and enjoy!

Wheat Germ Smoothie (from Dr. Oz!) 

• 6 oz Greek yogurt
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1 cup blueberries
• 4 strawberries
• 1/4 banana
• 1 tbsp wheat germ
•  A few ice cubes

Add Greek yogurt, almonds, almond milk and ice to blender and blend to desired consistency.

Add berries, banana and wheat germ and re-blend until smoothie is completely mixed.

If your morning is anything like mine, it’s craziness from the moment your feet hit the floor, till you run out your door! Most mornings I am the only family member who has yet to enjoy breakfast by the time I’m dropping my kiddos off at school. Knowing that I was missing out of the most important meal of the day, it was time to make a change in our routine.

I only had to rearrange 5 little minutes and I grabbed my blender.  I throw in a couple ingredients, blend it up, and pour it into a traveling glass. I drink my meal in the car, and satisfying many of my daily required fruits and veggies on the go!

What are the benefits of blending?

Certain fruits like bananas and avocados can’t be processed in a juicer. Both of these fruits have amazing health benefits, and they should be happily consumed.

Greens can be made in your blender as well, and since you’re not discarding your pulp, you are getting the fiber that would normally be removed with juicing.

Liquids cannot be added to your juicer, so blending is beneficial when you want to add other ingredients, like water, milk or yogurt.

In my humble opinion, the biggest plus side to blending is the ability to use frozen fruit. Frozen fruit and vegetables are usually flash frozen at its peak of freshness so you are retaining all the goodness that the produce provides.

In the “off season” for berries, it’s much more cost effective for me to purchase frozen berries vs. fresh. I can stock my freezer full and not worry about running out of ingredients, or having my fresh ingredients spoil, before my next trip to the market. You can also just throw your ripened bananas into the freezer, skin and all. They will still peel easily when frozen.

Blending: some of my favorite juice and smoothie recipes

 Pineapple Spinach Juice

• 1 cup of pineapple, cubed
• 1 cup of spinach, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 8 ounces of water
• ½ teaspoon of ginger, grated (optional)

Place the water in your blender, followed by all the other ingredients. Blend on high for 30 seconds (starting on your lowest speed, working up to the highest speed for only about 10 seconds) or until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Blueberry Banana Smoothie (pictured)

• 1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 banana, peel and cut into 2 inch (fresh or frozen)
• ¾ cup of milk, or almond milk
• 6 oz of greek style yogurt
• ½ cup of ice

Place the liquid in the blender, followed by all the other ingredients and blend until smooth.

We change this smoothie up daily by using a different flavor of yogurt. Try Vanilla, Banana Cream Pie, or Raspberry. Be sure to read the label on your greek yogurt. Many are high in calories, sugar and carbs. Our family prefers Kroger’s CarbMaster yogurt at only 60 calories, 4g Carbs, 3g Sugar and 8-9g of Protein.

I’d love to hear your favorite blended beverage recipe! Leave your comments below!