Breakfast Blast 1 each Mango (peeled, pitted, and chopped) 2 each Kiwis (peeled and chopped) 1/4 cup Blueberries 1/4 cup Strawberries 1/4 cup Orange Juice 2 tbsp Lime Juice (fresh) 1/4 cup Vanilla Flavored Yogurt 2 tbsp Protein Powder In a blender, combine ingredients listed and puree to a smooth consistency. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

The United States Cancer Institute recommends that everyone eat at least five servings of fresh vegetables and three servings of fresh fruit every day. Most of us come short of the daily-suggested amount of servings. Luckily there’s an easy way to get more servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet—by drinking them!

In every issue, we feature a different smoothie and the benefits of the ingredients used in the recipe. Our goal is to get you to experiment making smoothies and realizing how healthy they are and just how easy they are to make and enjoy.

The reason smoothies are so nutritious is that they enable your body to absorb more vitamins and minerals than if you ate the fruits and vegetables whole. Blending fruits and vegetables together also helps to break down the fiber within them, and it’s in the fiber where most of the nutrients are found. These vital nutrients are then released in a form that can be more easily used and absorbed into your body.

All you need to get started is a liquid, a blender, and some fresh fruits and vegetables. You don’t even need a recipe to get started. Experiment with different combinations and see what you can come up with. You can also do a search on the Internet or just pick up one of many smoothie recipe books.

There are plenty of delicious, healthy fruit options to choose from:

Kiwis – Are often used to help as part of cleansing regimens. They are high in vitamin C and E. They are one of the few fruits that contain vitamin E. Kiwis are also high in potassium and contain some calcium.
Blueberries – Have high concentrations of tannins. They aid in killing bacteria and viruses and help prevent or relieve bladder infections. They are high in pectin, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.
Strawberries – High in ellagic acid and vitamin C. They are also a good source of vitamin A and potassium and contain some iron.
Mango – High in vitamin A, there are 8,000 IU of beta-carotene in one mango. They are also high in vitamin C, potassium, niacin and fiber.

There are many other beneficial ingredients you can try as well. Yogurt, for example, is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B2, potassium and protein. Flaxseed oil is another wonderful smoothie option since it’s the best source of essential Omega-3 fatty acids, which help lubricate joints and prevent absorption of toxins.

Eating the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables can be a struggle. Why not make it easy on yourself and your family by making smoothies? Not only are they easy to make, they’re healthy and delicious for you.