4 Sensational Summer Smoothies!

On a hot summer day, there’s just something about fruity, ice-cold smoothie that makes them impossible to resist. The great thing about smoothies is that you can pretty much modify them to fit whatever craving you have and whatever health needs you’re trying to satisfy! Here are 4 easy and delicious recipes for your perfect summertime beverage!

 

1. Orange Smoothie- A low-calorie, healthy smoothie that tastes just like a creamsicle. It’s a perfect post-workout thirst quencher or mid-afternoon snack.

Ingredients

·         1 navel orange, peeled

·         ¼ cup fat-free half-and-half or fat-free yogurt

·         2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

·         ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

·         4 ice cubes

 

Directions

1. In a blender, combine the orange, half-and-half or yogurt, orange juice concentrate, vanilla, and ice cubes. Process until smooth.

 

 

 

2. Green Tea, Blueberry, and Banana Smoothie- Antioxidant-rich green tea makes this smoothie a nutritional powerhouse.

Ingredients

·         3 tbsp water

·         1 green tea bag

·         2 tsp honey

·         1 ½ C frozen blueberries

·         ½ med banana

·         ¾ C calcium fortified light vanilla soy milk

 

Directions

1. In a small glass measuring cup or bowl, microwave water on high until steaming hot. Add tea bag and allow to brew 3 minutes. Remove tea bag. Stir honey into tea until it dissolves.

2. In blender with ice crushing ability, combine berries, banana, and milk.

3. Add tea to blender. Blend ingredients on ice crush or highest setting until smooth. Pour smoothie into tall glass and serve.

 

 

 

 

3.  Strawberry- Banana Smoothie- Strawberries and banana make the ultimate smoothie blend. Enjoy it in supplement to a light breakfast or as an energizing snack. Get your protein on the go!

Ingredients

·         1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

·         1 banana

·         ½ cup orange juice

·         6 frozen strawberries

 

Directions

1. In a blender, combine the yogurt, banana, juice, and strawberries for 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides and blend for an additional 15 seconds.

 

 

4. Strawberry-Kiwi Smoothie- Stay full and fight disease! This high-fiber drink becomes even healthier when you use organic kiwis, which contain higher levels of heart-healthy polyphenols and vitamin C.

 

 

Ingredients

·         1 ¼ cups cold apple juice

·         1 ripe banana, sliced

·         1 kiwifruit, sliced

·         5 frozen strawberries

·         1 ½ teaspoons honey

 

Directions

1. In a blender, combine the juice, banana, kiwifruit, strawberries, and honey. Blend until smooth

 

 

 

Pampering4life Juice Corner: Antioxidant Skin Blaster

Forever Young Antioxidant Skin Blaster

4 kale leaves
Spinach bunch
4-5 bok choy leaves
1/2 cup Pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup mango slices
1-2 heaping spoonfuls of flaxseeds
tsp olive oil

Combine all the ingredients into your favorite juicer and drink immediately. Make sure to use organic vegetables and fruit in its pure form. This juice tonic is loaded with phytonutrients, vitamins, and skin smoothing nutrients to reverse aging. Enjoy!

15 Healthy Berries For You To Eat Daily

Fresh berries hanging from a branch are some of summer's most anticipated gifts. Now is the time of year when these naturally sweet, tasty treats are available in plenty, but you can enjoy them in frozen varieties year-round. So go ahead and indulge in all that berries have to offer--a sweet, juicy taste reminiscent of long summer days, an easy addition to snacks and meals, and, best of all, incredible health benefits for you and your family.
Here are fifteen of the healthiest ... and tastiest.

1. Blueberry

The blueberry is quite possibly the healthiest fruit there is--it ranked number one in antioxidant capacity by researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. "When it comes to brain protection, there's nothing quite like blueberries," says Tufts neuroscientist James Joseph. "I call the blueberry the brain berry," he says, attributing the effect to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And the American Institute for Cancer Research has this to say: "We now know that blueberries are one of the best sources of antioxidants, substances that can slow the aging process and reduce cell damage that can lead to cancer." Aside from protecting the brain and fighting cancer, blueberries have been associated with lower cholesterol, protection against heart disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and peptic ulcers, and healthier elimination. Rich in vitamins C and E, manganese and dietary fiber, about 30 different species of blueberries grow throughout the United States and Canada.

2. Cherry

As if their sweet taste wasn't enough of a reason to eat them, cherries are rich in queritrin (a flavonoid that's a potent anti-cancer agent), anthocyanins and bioflavonoids (compounds that fight the pain from arthritis, gout and migraines), ellagic acid (another potent anti-cancer agent) and melatonin (which may help you sleep). They also contain the soluble fiber pectin, vitamin C, beta-carotene and potassium. If it seems like cherries are only around for a short time, you're right--their season is only three months long. Cherries come in two basic varieties, sweet and sour. The Bing cherry is the most popular of the sweet cherries and is best for snacking, while the smaller and brighter sour cherries are most often used for pies, sauces or other baked goods. For a treat, try the incredibly sweet and selectively grown Rainier cherries.

3. Strawberry

Like other berries, strawberries contain phytonutrients called phenols that make it a heart-protective, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory fruit. Strawberries also help protect the brain from oxidative stress and age-related decline and fight macular degeneration of the eyes. They're an excellent source of vitamins C and K, manganese, fiber and iodine, and they contain potassium, folate, riboflavin, vitamin B5, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, magnesium and copper. There are over 600 varieties of berries out there, and they can be used in everything from salads to breakfast shakes to desserts. Because strawberries don't ripen any further once they're picked, be sure to choose shiny berries with a deep red color and use them within a few days.

4. Bilberry

Similar to the blueberry, bilberries are often referred to as European blueberries. They're rich in antioxidants and are widely known as a potent protector of the eyes and have been linked to improvements in night vision, cataracts, macular degeneration and vision overall. Interestingly, the eye-protective benefits of bilberries were first noticed during World War II when British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots discovered that they had better night vision on bombing raids when they ate bilberry preserves beforehand. The bilberry also contains compounds that enhance blood flow to circulatory vessels, which means it may be beneficial for circulatory problems including varicose veins, hemorrhoids and more. Bilberries taste just like blueberries, but they're about three times smaller in size.

5. Blackberry

Blackberries contain antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and ellagic acid, all of which may protect against cancer and fight chronic disease. They're also rich in the soluble fiber pectin, which may help lower cholesterol, and potassium. Wild blackberries are actually related to the rose, and, like a rose, they grow on a thorny bush. Because they're highly perishable (like all berries), blackberries should, ideally, be used the same day they're bought and washed just prior to eating. You can also freeze them by placing them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and then, once frozen, transferring them to an airtight container. They'll keep for about six months.

6. Elderberry

In 400 B.C., Hippocrates referred to the elder tree as his "medicine chest," and it's been used since ancient times to treat colds, flus, arthritis, constipation and more. Today, the elderberry is still in popular demand when it comes to health, especially in Austria, Germany and England. Elderberries contain plenty of antioxidants, anti-viral compounds, anthocyanins that help enhance immune function, and compounds that help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. The berries are small and round and range in color from dark purple to bluish-black. Elderberries should not be eaten raw, as they're mildly poisonous and can cause nausea or vomiting if eaten unripe (and they're quite sour). The mild toxicity is destroyed by cooking, though, so the berries are typically used to make jams, jellies and homemade wine. They can also be used in place of blueberries in things like muffins, cakes and pies.

7. Goji Berries

It's said that a handful of goji berries in the morning will make you happy for the rest of the day. Traditionally, they're regarded as a potent food for longevity, strength and sexual virility and are grown in Tibet in protected valleys that contain million-year-old soil that's reportedly untouched by pollutants or pesticides. As tradition goes, the berries are never touched by human hands (this would cause them to oxidize and turn black), but instead are shaken onto mats and then dried or made into a liquid juice. There's even a legend that says Li Qing Yuen, who "lived to the age of 252 years" (1678-1930), ate Goji berries every day. Modern day studies have also found some benefits to goji berries; they've been said to have potential in fighting cancer and protecting the liver. Goji berries contain 18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, linoleic acid, more beta carotene than carrots, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and E, selenium and germanium. Goji berries are deep red in color and about the same size as a raisin. They taste like a cranberry combined with a cherry, and are typically eaten dried or in juice form.

8. Lingonberries

These small, red, oval fruits (they're about the size of a large pea) are a popular treat in Finland and other Nordic countries where their tart flavor is enjoyed in sauces and jellies. Lingonberries are rich in the flavonoid quercetin, which is a plant antioxidant that may help to prevent cancer and heart disease. Fresh lingonberries are not easy to find in the United States, but if you do find them, you can use them as you would a cranberry. They're often eaten crushed and mixed with sugar or cooked into sauces, jams, jellies, juice and wine. If you haven't heard of the lingonberry, maybe you've heard of one of its numerous other names: cowberry, red whortle berry, foxberry, northern mountain cranberry, dry ground cranberry, rock cranberry, partridge berry or whimberry. Or maybe not.

9. Cranberries

One of the most popular uses of cranberries, to treat urinary tract infections, has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures. Today researchers have found that cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), which inhibit bacteria, including E. coli, from adhering to the urinary tract, thereby protecting it from infection. They're also rich in antioxidants that may play a role in preventing heart disease and cancer, and may play a role in preventing peptic ulcers by inhibiting H. pylori from adhering to the stomach. Because cranberries are so tart, they're not usually eaten raw but instead are baked into pies, muffins and cakes, used as a juice or cooked into the American holiday favorite, cranberry sauce.

10. Raspberry

Raspberries are rich in phytonutrients for antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic protection. Chief among these is ellagic acid, the potent cancer fighter. Raspberries have also been found to help prevent macular degeneration, and they contain manganese, vitamin C, riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber and copper. Raspberries have a long history--they can be traced all the way back to prehistoric times--but began to be grown widely in the 19th century, when many new varieties, including the loganberry and boysenberry, were developed. Raspberries have a sweet, tangy taste that makes them a popular treat for snacks, desserts, salads, cereals, sauces, baking, jams, jellies and more.

11. Dewberry

Dewberries are closely related to raspberries and blackberries, with the same sweet taste, but are slightly smaller and typically purple in color. It is likely that they present similar health benefits to raspberries and blackberries.

12. Mulberry

Traditionally, mulberry fruit has been used medicinally to treat the kidneys, fatigue, anemia and weakness. Although not widely studied, it's thought that mulberries contain high levels of antioxidants and similar health benefits as other dark-colored berries like blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. The mulberry has a sweet, somewhat bland flavor, and is commonly used in jelly, wine and desserts. In its dry form, the mulberry can be used as a raisin substitute.

13. Gooseberry

These fruits grow wild throughout the United States, but they're typically cultivated in more tropical locations like Hawaii and South Africa. They can range in color from white to green to pink or purple, and they're typically about 1/2 to 1 inch wide (though some varieties can grow as big as plums!). Gooseberries have a sweet/sour taste somewhere between a strawberry and a pineapple. Though not too common in the United States these days, they taste great in pies, jams, jellies and cooked sauces, or eaten fresh, if you can find them. If you're looking for a sweeter berry, choose a gooseberry with a pinkish hue. The green berries are unripe and work best for sauces and pies. Gooseberries have similar nutritional qualities as strawberries, cranberries and other berries.

14. Huckleberry

Huckleberries look just like blueberries (and are often confused with them) and taste like them too (but a bit more tart), but contain seeds that give them a unique crunchy texture. The seeds are edible, so they can be used interchangeably with blueberries, but, since they're not grown commercially, you'll have to find them in the wild. Huckleberries have not been studied extensively, but may have similar health benefits as blueberries.

15. Chokeberry

Purple berries like chokeberries may possess as much as 50 percent more antioxidants than more common berries, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, the raw berries are extremely tart (hence the name "chokeberry"), so they're best when cooked and made into juice, jam or wine.

Fights harmful free radicals

Helps the body maintain its optimal pH range

Formulated with the Poten-Zyme™ process to ensure increased bio-availability and nutrient absorption

Great-tasting, 100% natural blend of powerful antioxidant food concentrates

Rich in antioxidant and immune-enhancing ingredient

Pampering4life Healthier Product Spotlight: LeVive Juice

There are a number of beverages available on the market today which are being touted as antioxidant drinks, or energy drinks, or perhaps even both. It is sometimes difficult to know what these drinks contain, or what they should contain, or which one may be the right choice for you. Let's take a few moments to examine one in particular, and why you will want to choose it. The drink we will be looking at is the Le Vive antioxidant juice drink.

Le Vive has five of the most significant antioxidant ingredients known to man, often referred to as superfruits. The beverage consists of the acai berry, the goji berry, noni fruit, mangosteen fruit, and pomegranate fruit. These five fruits combine to give you a drink which is red in color, and tastes very good; if you have ever consumed any of the others, you know that not all of these drinks taste good. Other ingredients, such as triple filtered water and citric acid, are present in trace amounts (less than two-tenths of one percent). There are no fillers in this drink, and it is not watered down. Best of all, there is no added sugar, no high fructose corn syrup, and no artificial colors or flavors. This means that in each 26-ounce bottle, 25.948 ounces are pure fruit juice and extracts.

You probably recognize some of the individual fruits which are a part of Le Vive, which have well known benefits. For example, the acai berry alone has caused countless people to have more energy, lose weight, and effectively fight aging. The acai berry comes from the acai palm tree, which is found in Central and South America. It contains anthocyanins and flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants. As is the case with any antioxidant, such as green tea, the acai berry counters the free radicals in your body, which are believed to be cancer causing agents.

Another fruit found in Le Vive is the noni fruit, which also has a lot of great health benefits. Noni is found mainly in Tahiti, but it grows in other regions as well, such as India, the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico. The noni tree is in the coffee family, interestingly enough, and noni has significant amounts of fiber and vitamin C. Many people who have consumed noni in some form cite increased energy, and the noni fruit is believed to encourage the flow of toxins out of the body's cells.

The other three ingredients-the goji berry, mangosteen fruit, and pomegranate fruit-also have many health benefits in their own individual forms. They are rich in nutrients and have been found to be highly effective in countering various illnesses. In the regions of the world in which these fruits are native, and thus more common, they have been used by the local residents for centuries in maintaining healthy diets and healthy immune systems.

Combined, these five superfruits create the highly powerful Le Vive antioxidant juice drink. Naturally, it has the combined benefits of all five fruits-fights free radicals, has anti-inflammatory properties, fights the aging process, encourages a healthy complexion, fights degenerative diseases, helps maintain joint flexibility, promotes healthy circulation and cardiovascular health, encourages healthy blood glucose levels, keeps your liver healthy, helps you maintain normal cholesterol levels, possibly even effective in preventing cancer. As you cannot find this beverage in stores, you will need to purchase it from independent Ardyss distributors. As if all of these benefits are not enough, you will be particularly pleased to know that it is less expensive than competing antioxidant drinks. Try some Le Vive today, and experience these benefits for yourself. With a money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose.



Still not sure about trying this fantastic drink? Just Google the benefits of these berries and you will see first hand just how much they play an important role in your health and wellness. This is part of my daily regimen and it taste so good. You will not believe this is a health drink. It's time to "Get Healthy" in 2011. Place your order today just go to gethealthy2011 Are you ready?