FitSugar

Brain-Boosting Breakfast: Marcus Samuelsson's Power-Packed Morning Smoothie

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:55:31 PDT

Our mouthwatering Brain-Boosting Breakfast series continues with celebrity chefs and restaurateurs creating healthy, brain-boosting breakfast ideas to help keep kids going throughout the day. Today's quick breakfast for on-the-go families comes from Marcus Samuelsson, one of the most celebrated chefs in America, winner of the second season of Top Chef Masters, and owner of Harlem's acclaimed Red Rooster restaurant.

Marcus Samuelsson knows a few things about taste. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, he's mastered the art of mixing unusual flavors to create tastes that simply make mouths and stomachs happy. For his award-winning cookbook, New American Table ($27), Chef Samuelsson spent time working his way through local farms and kitchens across America to create new dishes for the entire family. A longtime supporter of charities that help give children a healthy start, such as UNICEF and the World Childhood Foundation, the chef is offering up an avocado-banana smoothie recipe to give kids a quick brain boost before heading off to school.

This is a great healthy breakfast option, as it's filling and nutritious; plus, kids dig the green color of the drink. It's inspired by the Indian drink lassi and is sure to be a family favorite.

Keep reading for Marcus Samuelsson's quick and easy Avocado-Banana Smoothie recipe.

Calories in Summery Smoothies

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:34:23 PDT

It's a hot and humid Summer day and you head to your local smoothie joint for a cool, refreshing smoothie. It's made with mostly all-natural fruit, ice, and a little dairy, so what could be bad? That tall glass of thick, fruity goodness might taste like it's good for you, but the amount of calories you're consuming will most definitely stop you midslurp. Check out the breakdown below and see how your favorite smoothie stands.

Keep in mind that these calculations are based on 16-ounce servings, and many places serve up your smoothie in a much taller cup, which means even more calories and carbs consumed.

Smoothie (16 oz. serving)	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
Jamba Juice Banana Berry	270	1	64	3	57	3
Jamba Juice Aloha Pineapple	290	1	67	3	63	5
Jamba Juice Strawberry Surf Rider	300	1	72	2	64	2
Jamba Juice Apple 'n Greens	220	1	50	6	40	5

Not seeing your favorite smoothie? Keep reading to see the nutritional info for smoothies found at Starbucks, McDonald's, and Jack in the Box.

A Reader Recipe: Summer Solstice Berry Smoothie

Fit Community — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:02:26 PDT

Start your day off with this smoothie recipe from FitSugar reader AllieNic, who shared it in our Healthy Recipe group.

The sun is out; the breeze is warm - it’s definitely Summer out there! My favorite breakfast on a warm Summer morning is a nice, brain-freeze-inducing smoothie packed with spinach and berries. There’s just something about getting a green veggie in the a.m. that makes my day 100 percent better!

Summer Solstice Smoothie

Ingredients:

2 handfuls of raw spinach
1/2 cup frozen blackberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 frozen banana
1-2 cups So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk

Check out the rest of this post on my healthy living blog, Frisky Lemon Nutrition

Have a great recipe to share? Don't forget to post it in our Healthy Recipe group. It might end up on the FitSugar home page.

Celebrate Your Love of the Smoothie With These Refreshing Ideas

Heather Dale — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:00:08 PDT

Adding a delicious smoothie to your morning ritual can give you an energy boost and provide a healthy start to your day. I love creating new smoothie creations by adding nutritional ingredients to the fresh fruit I have on hand. To spark some smoothie inspiration, I've rounded up some of my favorite recipes for you to add to your smoothie-making arsenal. As with all all smoothie recipes, feel free to add your own flair and favorite ingredients to make it uniquely yours.

Access the entire smoothie list here.

A Reader Recipe: Holiday Cranberry Smoothie

Fit Community — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 07:30:04 PST

This cranberry smoothie recipe was shared by FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle in our Healthy Recipe community group.

The little cranberry, such an under appreciated fruit. For years cranberry juice has been thought to reduce or eliminate urinary tract infections, but more recent studies have also linked this tiny tart goodie with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits along with benefits in fighting heart disease and cancer. Reacquaint yourself with cranberries in this yummy holiday cranberry smoothie.

See the recipe when you

Drink This: Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Fit Community — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:00:17 PDT

Can't get enough pumpkin? Check out this seasonal smoothie eatingbirdfood shared in the Healthy Recipe Group.

Since fall has started I've been obsessed with all things pumpkin, including pumpkin ice cream and frozen yogurt. I decided to make a healthy frozen treat at home by whipping up a pumpkin pie smoothie. This recipe was originally posted on my healthy living blog, Eating Bird Food.

Check out the recipe when you read more.

Healthy Recipe: Spicy and Savory Smoothie

Michele Bell — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 04:30:25 PDT

Smoothies are generally easy to swallow, especially the sweet ones. Add a banana and some berries to a blender, and even the pickiest of eaters can hardly resist it - even with spinach and kale added to the mix. I could sip on fruit-flavored green shakes every day, but I'm also starting to dig some savory swigs as well. Instead of masking the veggies with their seeded garden friends, I'm letting some bold vegetables take center stage with a flavorful jalapeño smoothie from Victoria Boutenko's Green for Life ($19). Ready to see the spicy recipe?

Healthy Recipe: Smooth and Minty Smoothie

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 07:30:27 PDT

When I was little, my mom used to make me child version grasshoppers. For those of you that don't know what that is, it's heaven in a glass. Imagine a mint chocolate chip ice cream blended to perfection and served up cold and frosty. Now imagine that same smoothie gives you fiber, iron, manganese, potassium, and all sorts of powerful vitamins. I've got one that can do just that. OK, OK . . . it won't taste like the grasshopper, but it's minty, refreshing and oh so good for your body. Another recipe from Green For Life, this green smoothie brings nutrition to the forefront without leaving the taste buds far behind.

Ready to see the yummy recipe?

Healthy Recipe: Berry Celericious Smoothie

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 08:00:42 PDT

If you liked the spinach packed smoothie that was fit for Popeye, I've got another one that will have you dreaming of fields of blueberries. A vegetable disguised in a haven of fruit, this celery infused drink will add some extra bang to your morning routine. Pulled from Victoria Boutenko's book Green for Life ($19), the powerful antioxidant breakfast in a glass packs potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K, manganese, and fiber. How's that for a start to your busy day?

Ready to see the yummy and super easy recipe?

Hide Supplements With Jackie Warner's Pre-Workout Smoothie

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:30:54 PDT

Trainer Jackie Warner is a straight shooter, but when it comes to supplements, she recommends a chaser to disguise the taste. Jackie shared that she's a fan of weight loss supplements such as amino acids and L-carnitine in a recent interview with us, and she served up the same advice to contestants looking to lose weight on her new Thintervention show. After an amino acid taste test that incited puckered faces from the whole crew, Jackie suggested they mask the strong supplement sting by blending the supplements up into her "famous healthy pre-workout shake." She often referenced the concoction on her last Bravo series, Work Out as well, and I was intrigued to learn the ingredients. Ready to try a gulp? Check out her recipe, and make it yourself.