by Connie Goranson

Created on: February 28, 2010

EASY AND DELICIOUS BLUEBERRY-BANANA SMOOTHIE

This smoothie makes enough for two people.  It's delicious and doubly healthy because it contains both yogurt and tofu.  You can mix it up in minutes in a blender and it makes a great breakfast-on-the-go.  The ease of carrying the smoothie (just put it in a coffee cup with a lid that is closable) makes it convenient and satisfying to take with you to your office or class.

Put these ingredients in a blender, leaving out the ice cubes at first:

1 cup fresh blueberries (you can use frozen if you wish)

1 banana

1 pint plain yogurt

4 ounces of tofu (I always use the silken variety)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

6 ice cubes

After all of the ingredients except the ice cubes are in the blender, pulse for two to three minutes.  Add the ice cubes, and pulse for about one minute ~ more if you don't like tiny ice crystals in your smoothie.  You may also add a little regular milk or soy milk if the smoothie is too thick for your taste.  Just pour about one ounce at a time, pulsing between additions.

Smoothies are becoming very popular to serve when you are hosting brunches or afternoon get-togethers.  You won't have the perked-up then let-down feeling you get after a few cups of coffee.  This smoothie is packed with protein, antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium and other digestive benefits of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Bananas mix well with other fruits, too.  Try substituting other fruits instead of blueberries.  Some ideas are:  strawberries, peaches, mango, pineapple, kiwi, or papaya.  You can also add some pure vanilla or almond extract to add another flavor to the smoothie ~ about 1/4 teaspoon will meld with the other flavors.

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