Boost your brain, build muscle, and help your heart -- with a blender


Depending on what you toss in them, smoothies offer a wide range of immediate heart-saving, muscle-building, brain-juicing, mood-boosting benefits. We provide the building blocks and the blueprints -- all you need to do is liquefy.



BRAIN BOOSTER

The berries here aren't just super food for your brain; they offer an important cancer-fighting bonus.

1/2 c fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 c fresh or frozen raspberries
1 c pineapple OJ
1/2 c low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 c ice



BERRY BERRY

Using all unsweetened fruit, this recipe delivers an antioxidant whallop without the sugar.

1/2 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries

1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries

3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

1 cup soy milk or 1% milk



MEMORY AID

This low-calorie smoothie is a good source of fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Blueberries in particular contain compounds that can help prevent cataracts, cancer, constipation, and memory loss.

1/2 c orange juice

1 pint nonfat vanilla or peach frozen yogurt

2 1/2 c sliced peaches

3/4 fresh or frozen blueberries



MUSCLE BUILDER

This mix features the brawn-building power of protein from both peanut butter and whey.

2 Tbsp peanut butter
1 banana
1/3 c whey protein
1/2 c fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt
1 c fat-free milk



BETA BLAST

This smoothie is a muscle-rejuvenating, beta-carotene-filled, orange-colored wonder.

3 small ice cubes

2 apricots (sliced and pitted)

1/2 papaya (frozen in chunks)

1/2 mango (frozen in chunks)

1/2 cup carrots

1 tablespoon honey



HEART HELPER

The fiber from the fruit teams with the artery-protecting antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats of the peanut butter to keep your ticker tickin'.

1 banana
1/2 c raspberries
1 Tbsp peanut butter
1/2 c nonfat chocolate frozen yogurt
1 c fat-free milk



KICKSTARTER SHAKE

This recipe helps produce wake-up chemicals in the brain.

1 c skim milk

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

1 c strawberries

1 kiwifruit



SMOOTH OPERATOR

The yogurt aids digestion, while the mango and juice boost immune response.

1/2 c pitted cherries
1/2 c mango
1/2 c low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 c pineapple OJ
1 c ice



MOOD MAKER

An all-fruit smoothie, packed with carbs to boost your serotonin levels. Add a handful of flaxseeds for an extra dose of mood-boosting omega-3 fatty acids.

1/2 c fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 c fresh or frozen mango
1 c pineapple OJ
1 c ice



BETTER BREAKFAST

Less than a minute and you're drinking a better breakfast.

1 banana

1 peach (cut up)

1/4 c orange juice

1 c ice



Why use these ingredients?

Peanut butter

Packed with protein, manganese, and niacin, peanuts can help stave off heart disease and, when eaten in moderation, promote weight loss.



Fat-free milk

All the calcium and protein, none of the fat.



Blueberries

The huge amounts of antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, in blueberries have been shown to slow brain decline and reverse memory loss.



Low-fat vanilla yogurt

A cache of calcium and digestion-aiding probiotics in every scoop.



Raspberries

An antioxidant powerhouse bursting with fiber, manganese, and vitamin C, these berries will keep your heart and brain in top shape.



Fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt

Calcium, phosphorus, and none of the guilt.



Pineapple-orange juice

OJ has vitamin C, and pineapples contain bromelain, a cancer-inhibiting, inflammation-reducing enzyme.



Cherries

In addition to their vitamin C and fiber content, cherries have been linked to reducing arthritis pain.



Bananas

Heavy on potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6, bananas do wonders for your heart and provide good carbs to keep you full and energized.



Whey protein

Its essential amino acids help pack on the muscle -- making whey the best friend of athletes and gym rats.



Frozen mangoes

To their stock of vitamins A and C, mangoes add a healthy dose of beta-carotene, which helps prevent cancer and promotes healthy skin.



Ice

A little H2O never hurt anyone.