Mouth-watering, Healthy Fruit Smoothie Recipes for a New You!

Smoothies are delicious, and if done correctly, they can be healthy, too!  Forget getting your fruit fix from a franchise smoothie stand; these recipes take just minutes to whip up, and the majority of fruit ingredients can be stashed in the freezer for easy access when you need them -- regardless of what's in season!

My favorite recipe is a quick and dairy-free option for those who don't care for yogurt-based smoothies (like my husband.)

For this, you'll need:

• 1.5 cups apple juice
• 1 peeled kiwi
• 1 banana 
• 5 frozen strawberries (Great Value brand has nice, big whole strawberries, perfect for smoothies)
• 1-3 tablespoons of honey, to taste
• 1/2 cup crushed ice (skip the ice if you use frozen bananas, like I do!)

Combine all ingredients in a blender. (My Ninja Ultimate Blender makes quick work of it, and gets even the frozen pieces evenly chopped.)

 Pour immediately.  This recipes serves two!

If you're looking to do something a bit more daring, you might like this creamy drink with cereal as an ingredient.  You'll need:

• Dairy Free Coconut Milk 
• Crunchy flake cereal (Special K works well)
• 1 banana (I prefer frozen)
• 1/2 cup mixed frozen berries

Finally, here's one that's good for overall digestive health.  The Kefir gives it a tart yet thick consistency.  You'll need:

• 1 cup fresh-cut pineapple with juice
• 1 cup Kefir (I like vanilla)
• 1/2 cup frozen sliced peaches
• 1 tablespoon flax seed

You can also add ice if you find this to be too thick.

All of these ingredients were picked up at my local Walmart, which is pretty impressive, since a few of them we have NEVER purchased before (like the Kefir).  You can keep many of these ingredients on hand for weeks at a time to ensure you always have a variety for that last-minute smoothie craving!  (And it's a fraction of the cost to get your smoothie from a smoothie shop!)