When I began the research to determine the defining characteristics of a smoothie, I was surprised how descriptions focused more on health benefits than on taste. What I considered to be a snappy, pick-me-up-and-go blend of fruit, yoghurt and juice was broken down to a beneficial beverage laden with dietary fibre, vitamins and nutrients.

Clearly, people take their smoothies very seriously and are not interested in blurring the line between smoothie and milkshake. Thankfully, I am a self-professed culinary renegade on a mission to make smoothies the catch-all healthy milkshake... because selling food based upon dietary fibre is about as attractive as Grandpa's dried prunes.

Believe it or not, proud appliance owners have been christening their blenders with smoothies since the 1940's. The earliest mixtures of fruits, juice and ice produced a drink that resembles a “fruit slush”. Nowadays, the smoothie has evolved to a thick fruit and yoghurt based drink we can thank hippies, health nuts and body builders for. There are no pre-defined rules for what tastes good, but when mixing a smoothie, whether non-dairy or with a shot of supplemental powders, you're basically looking for the tastiest and healthiest concoction around.

The Orange Chicklius


Orange Julius is probably one of the oldest available smoothies on the market. Available since the 20's, the drink, originally consisting of orange juice, egg white and whole milk, made a frothy nutrient rich beverage loved by mallrats worldwide!  My version, the pink Orange Chicklius, uses a pasteurized egg white substitute called meringue powder, which can be found in most bulk, health food and grocery stores. I was addicted to this for a short period of time.

Add all of the ingredients into a blender until the ice is coarsely crushed.








The Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie


It's easy to get into a rut when it comes to smoothies. I drank strawberry and banana smoothies for at least 4 weeks straight when I was working out. One day, I had some cream cheese in the fridge and I wondered what would happen if I blended it in my smoothie mix. Out came the Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie.  Using non-fat cream cheese adds a rich flavour without added fat and just for fun, I rimmed the glass with some graham cracker crumbs to simulate the cake crust.

Moisten the edge of a glass with orange juice or water and dab the rim of the glass in the graham cracker crumbs; rotating until the edge is coated; set aside. Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend until it is smooth. Pour into rimmed glass and enjoy!





You Matcha! Green Tea Smoothie


Green tea is known for it's incredible health benefits. Matcha, the tea used in the recipe below, is a finely ground Japanese green tea that is often used in green tea ice cream. The drink is a potent antioxidant and studies have shown that it has profound effects in increasing metabolism – perfect for weight loss! This recipe is closer to a Starbucks Frappuccino, the main difference being the dairy can be easily substituted for non-dairy equivalents and you can toss in a banana or whey powder for added nutrition.
 
Whisk the green tea powder in the hot water until dissolved. Stir in honey or agave nectar. Pour into blender with remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

Smoothies are a healthy drink, but have fun putting your “taste-foot forward” and blend with less common ingredients such as cream cheese and green tea. It's so funny to think of how far smoothies have come, from the egg white protein days of the Orange Julius to the 21st century combination in the You Matcha! Green Tea Smoothie. Since we all are more health conscience than ever before, I have to wonder: what's in your blender?

by Marie Nicola