Fruit Juice Makes Great Healthy Smoothies

I really like healthy smoothies! But I admit I do sometimes dread cutting up all the fruits and vegetables, and often I can get bored with the same flavors. Now that is an honest assessment that I made at the beginning of the year. So I decided I needed to find ways on the days when I don't want to cut up fruits, or don't have any to cut up, that I could still enjoy a delicious fruit smoothie mix for a morning break and one that I could make quickly.

Fortunately the grocery store had every answer right at my fingertips. I am a real fresh food person and normally I am not one to advocate processed and bottled foods but I found myself gravitating to a wonderfully colorful array of juices. I also stopped by the frozen foods and read the labels on the frozen fruits and realized I can make smoothies whenever I want quickly, easily and inexpensively. Now I can enjoy fruit year around, and am not dependent on the seasons. I am also finding that I still have many low calorie choices to help me keep hat New Year resolution of weight control.

Next time at the store, hit both the juice isle and the frozen fruit section!

Here are a couple of recipes I have made and enjoyed in the last few days and I am sure you will enjoy them too!

Peach Mango Juice Smoothie

1 cup of mango-fresh, peeled and cut in chunks (about 110 calories), or
1 cup of frozen mango chunks (about 90 calories) and

1 cup (8 ounces) cold Lite V-8 peach mango juice (only 50 calories)

Peach Mango juice contains the juice of 8 vegetables and fruits, and like mangos is low-fat, no cholesterol, rich with Vitamins C, A and B6, high in dietary fiber and low in sodium.

Tip: Frozen fruits make a very cold and refreshing drink but if you use fresh fruit, you might want to add an ice cube or two to make your smoothie colder.

Cranberry Juice Smoothie

1 cup of frozen raspberries (approximately 64 calories)

1 cup of any chilled Diet Ocean Spray favored juice (There are only 5 calories in 1 cup of Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry Spray Juice and no fats.

1 teaspoon Mila (approximately 25 calories)

A simply delicious treat ---and less than 100 calories!

Don't be afraid to experiment combining fruits and juices for some great flavors.