SMOOTHIE TIPS

                                    

  1.  DID YOU MAKE MORE SMOOTHIE
   THAN YOU CAN DRINK?  Simply 
   pour the remainder into an ice 
   cube tray and freeze.  When you 
   are ready to drink it, pull it out of 
   the freezer and put it into the 
   microwave long enough to soften 
   the cubes just a bit. Then put the 
   cubes into the blender and mix 
   it up.  If you put the cubes straight
into the blender without softening, you will need to add more liquid.

2.  VEGETABLE ADDITIONS  Vegetable can add nutrition with fewer calories than fruit.  I like to put a few slices of cooked beets into my smoothie, along with some of the juices from cooking.  It gives a nice red or purple color, depending on how much you put in.

3. FREEZING SOME OF THE FRUITS before using them in a smoothie means you can use less or no ice to make the smoothie thick.  However, there needs to be a balance.  If everything is frozen, then liquid needs to be added to make it thin enough to blend.
Bananas can be thrown into the freezer with their skins on, or they can be peeled, wrapped in plastic wrap and put into a zipper bag.  If you store them in their skin, simply put them into warm water for a minute or so, then peel. Don't leave them in too long, or they will get squishy.

4.  OVER-RIPE FRUITS are perfect to use in smoothies as firmness doesn't matter like it does when you are eating it fresh.  It is important to cut out bruises and bad spots, though.

5.  DO YOU HAVE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF THIS OR THAT FRUIT OR VEGETABLE?  Add it to a smoothie!  Leftover jello works great, too, as do juices.