HEALTH: Five Superfood Smoothie Recipes

Forget your go-to strawberry and banana smoothie combo and sip on something healthy AND exciting this fall!  Thanks to antioxidant-rich berries, nuts and green tea, these five recipes are packed with superfood power.
To Make:  In the order listed, place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth.  If you are using frozen fruit instead of fresh, only use 3/4 cup of ice.
1. Berry-Cherry Chiller
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup pitted and halved cherries
1/2 cup lowfat plain Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons ground flaxseed
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sip Tip: Pure vanilla extract has less calories than flavored syrup, so try not to substitute.
2. Island Mango Madness
1 cup ice cubes
3/4 cup chopped mango
1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks
2 tablespoons canned pineapple juice
1/2 teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice
Pinch cayenne pepper
Sip Tip:  The mango does not need to be soft.
3. Green Tea-Melon Sipper
1 cup ice cubes
1 cup cubed honeydew melon
1 kiwi, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons agave nectar
2 teaspoons fresh mint, chopped
1/2 teaspoon matcha
Sip Tip: Matcha – green tea powder –  dissolves in beverages, releasing more antioxidants.
4. Triple-Berry Blast
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup blackberries
1/4 cup drained, silken tofu (yes, tofu!)
2 tablespoons acai juice
2 teaspoons agave nectar
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamon
Sip Tip: The acai juice can be substituted with pomegranate juice.
5. Banana Shake
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup lowfat almond milk
1 medium frozen banana, peeled and sliced
1 Medjool date, pitted and chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted almond butter
Sip Tip: For a better taste, look on the almond butter ingredient list for roasted nuts instead of raw.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Food center for more helpful articles and tips.