Summertime Cool Down Smoothie

In our region of the PNW we typically do not experience high summer temps..maybe a few days here and there, but usually cooler than usual with rain mixed in. This summer has started out very different. We have been experiencing a very dry season and higher than normal temps...this last week and at least the week to come will be in the 90's low hundreds. Yikes! 

Last week I was out doing some shopping by myself and had stopped at a Jamba Juice to get a smoothie, I figured that was better than going to Wendy's and it sounded better too. I love that Jamba has started incorporating more fresh juices and a combo of fresh juices to their smoothies. So, I stopped in. I ordered a smoothie that was made from fresh carrot juice, orange juice, mangoes and bananas. The result was an incredibly delicious smoothie that was both healthy and about 1/2 the calories as the one I normally get. SCORE. I knew I could recreate this at home since we have both a juicer and a high powered blender (Vitamix). With the heat recently, I gave it a try and I will say, it was pretty darn close. Juices and smoothies are a great way to get extra veggies and fruit, or if you have picky eaters. I love juicing, but it takes a lot more fruits and veggies to get a decent amount of juice so I tend to do smoothies more often. I can't buy all organic (though I'd love to), so my rule of thumb typically is to buy the things on the Dirty Dozen list organic if I can...and usually if I'm going to eat the peel I buy it organic. I do buy lemons organic as well because I usually include the peel in smoothies.  

Ingredients: (for 1 smoothie)

1/2 c. fresh carrot juice (you can purchase carrot juice at the store)
1/2 c. orange juice
1 banana
1/2 c. frozen mango 

Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend till smooth. Adjust amounts according to taste. You can use fresh mango and use ice but I like using frozen fruit. 


With Joy UNquenchable,