I am a big fan of smoothies. I make them daily, without a smoothie maker or any fine fripperies. I am wary of jamba juice and other smoothies that are packed with apple juice and all sorts of preservatives.

I freeze fruit - blueberries, strawberries and raspberries that we pick (kill me, I'm an earth mother trapped in a frequent flyer's body)

milk
frozen bananas if we have them
sometimes some protein powder
sometimes some yoghurt depending on flavor or if its about to expire

pour into working glass jar, let it sit around and soften a bit (usually by taking do g for a walk), whizz using hand blender and drink.

Right now I am partaking of a papaya, banana, a bit of vanilla yogurt and non fat milk smoothie.

What do you like in your smoothie?

I usually have my morning smoothie as well. Like you, I don't trust Jamba Juice at all!

I usually start with a base of skim milk, non-fat or low fat yogurt (french vanilla), and a few ice cubes. Add to that some frozen pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, a banana, some chocolate protein powder, and flax seeds.

Spin it in a blender for maybe 20 seconds! ^

I also make a green "health drink" in the blender -- some fresh spinach, avocado, lots of lime juice, cayenne pepper, and some water.

flax seed, hmmm. I have some of those. I'll try that tomorrow.

Doesn't really add taste, but they're good for you and an "indirect" way to take them.

I like those orange smoothy powder packs you get from the grocery store (like orange julius).

A packet of that, a handful of ice, a douse of orange juice, and 2 peaches or a couple handful of rainier cherries.

Great for those hot summers.

I often do the frozen fruit thing, too. I like to put mangoes, blackberries, bananas, and strawberries in there with some yogurt. Sometimes add a few ounces of red zinger or pomegranate tea to loosen it up a bit. I usually crack open a couple of echinacea caplets as well.

Other things that work well:
kiwi (not too much)
raspberries
blueberries
huckleberries
peaches
mint leaves
protein powder
juices

Deelish. Anytime I have a hankering for a milkshake, I just make a smoothie. It's so much healthier but works just as good.

For some protein boost, start with milk, yogurt, peanut butter, chocolate protein, and I nuke some oatmeal in the microwave & pour it in. Throw in a banana for some extra flavor.

You clearly are young with a very healthy metabolism!

That sounds like breakfast!

lala

Sweetheart candy store in the Ranch99 mall in Milpitas does a wonderful avocado smoothie with tapioca pearl.

No, really, it has to be tried to be believed.

I can't think of many reasons to visit Milpitas. But with a smoothie like that, how many do you need?

CX in F makes some of the best smoothies.

So does Qantas, but can't do it everyday, so I'll pretend I'm on CX or QF while reading the paper and watching the dog drool over the rest of my smoothie.

I don't really like creamy smoothies, so I leave out yogurt or soy milk. I usually combine frozen berries, apple juice, another juice of choice like pomogranate or cherry plus some wheat germ, flax seeds (soaked or ground first) and spirullina. Sometimes I also add peaches, papaya or pineapple, whatever's arround. I tend to stir clear of items that are difficult to seed, like mangos. I'd rather eat those myself.

If I'm out, sometimes I'll get a smoothie from Wild Oats or the local co-op. I steer clear of Jamba Juice and others because I find them way too sweet. I don't know what's in the juice and those fruits look rather syrupy as well.

Whatever frozen berries I have, soy milk and a little orange juice. I just throw it all in the food processor.

Banana, 1/2 cup of OJ, plain nonfat yogurt, and whatever frozen fruit I have....my daily breakfast smoothie.

I usually try to find an exotic fruit to liven up the smoothie a little. The best are the frozen fruit pulps by Goya---it's pure fruit only, no sugar (banana and OJ add enough sweetness), and the fruit snaps off in small chunks easily for the blender. Any Mexican grocer should have these. My favorites are the mamey and guanabana (cherimoya relative). Whole Foods sells an acai smoothie pack that's pretty good too.

I think they also use a little bit of ice in them, which is a deal-breaker in a smoothie for me.

I flash-freeze in chunks whatever looks good in the produce section or whatever is on the ragged end in my refrigerator produce basket and add some soy milk and whatever juice I have (usually OJ.)