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Day 23 – September Smoothie Challenge – Smoothies from Dr. Oz

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Black women love Dr. Oz, especially my mom. Many of the ladies I know who follow his show really believe in the advice he gives and will try things he suggests.  I think it’s great.  He does a great job of explaining things in a simple and visual way.

So, I decided to check out some of the smoothies he has posted to his website.  Well, I was not disappointed.  I found a lot of great recipes.  Today I’m going to share the links on Dr. Oz’s website instead of just 3 recipes since there are so many great ones.

5 Beautifying Smoothie Recipes

Energy-Boosting Smoothie

Cancer-Fighting Breakfast Smoothies

Dr. Oz’s Green Drink

 

Day 22 – September Smoothie Challenge – 3 More Delicious Recipes

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Today’s Recipes

Almond Wonder Smoothie

  • 1 cup plain almond milk
  • 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
  • 1 large ripe banana
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter
  • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 6 ice cubes (optional)

Cherry Bliss Smoothie

  • 1 cup plain soy milk
  • 1/2 cup vanilla soy yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons agave nectar
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted dark sweet cherries
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 1/2 cup crushed ice

Mango Apple Smoothie

  • 3/4 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
  • 7 to 10 ice cubes

 

Day 20 – September Smoothie Challenge – Dairy Lovers Smoothies

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Day 20 Recap – I’ve maintained my 7 pound weight loss so far so I’m happy.  I’m hearing from more and more women everyday who are on this challenge with us and have lost pounds.   For many of you, this may be the first time in a long time that you’ve ate this much nutrient rich food daily.  I’m loving how much healthier I feel and I find that many of you feel the same.  We are doing this, Sistas!

Below are a few smoothies for those who love (and can have) dairy!

Today’s Recipes

Everyday Protein Smoothie

  • 1/2 cup 1% milk
  • 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 1/2 cup cubed ripe mango
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla whey-protein powder
  • 6 ice cubes
Mandarin Cooler Smoothie
  • 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1 can peaches, natural juice drained
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 large ripe banana
  • 10 ice cubes
  • 1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt

Kiwi Berry Smoothie

  • 1 cup 1% milk
  • 2 tablespoons low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • 1 peeled kiwifruit
  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 2 teaspoons plain whey-protein powder
  • 5 ice cubes

Day 17 – September Smoothie Challenge – 3 More Video Demos

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Day 17 recap – I have been dealing with the flu.  Apparently there is an early flu going around that is hitting people who didn’t get a flu shot this year.  I’ve been under the weather but still drinking my smoothies.  Here are 3 more recipe videos.

Today’s Recipes

Shira Bocar talks to Martha Stewart about making simple, healthy smoothies and eating detox-friendly foods.

Diva’s Healthy Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe with wheat germ and broccoli sprouts

Oatmeal Smoothie Healthy Breakfast Recipe

Day 15 – September Smoothie Challenge – Eat More Kale not Frozen Yogurt

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I think this new Healthy Choice frozen yogurt commercial featuring a character who was on a “Kale cleanse” is comical at the least and misleading to consumers about the value of Kale.  To suggest that eating flavored frozen yogurt with added sugar is healthier than Kale is crazy.  I’ve always thought of frozen yogurt as dessert.  To say one is equal to the other, is crazy, especially because I know far more people who have lactose intolerance than kale allergies.

I know they are talking about a fad diet in the commercial for which I assume the participants only ate Kale, but let’s be real…most people know by now that any diet where you just eat ONE food is a terrible fad.  The body needs a variety of nutrients from a variety of sources.  I personally think that this ad may be a swipe at people who advocate that you don’t need diary to get sufficient calcium in your diet, especially for vegans and vegetarians.  Kale and leafy green can be a great source of calcium.  It’s widely known that there are tons of healthy people all over the world, most notably in Asia, who have virtually no dairy at all in their diets and are perfectly healthy.  Just google “The China Study”  to find out more on that.

Per serving this frozen yogurt has approx. 19 grams of carbs, 13 grams of sugar, 1.5 grams of fat and 10% of required calcium (blueberry version).  No vitamin A, C and no iron.  The serving size is listed as about 71 grams, which is approx. 2.5 ounces or .16 pounds.  That is a tiny dessert to me.

In comparison, let’s see what Kale has to offer.

“One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,020% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.” – WebMD

Did I mention it’s low in sugar too?  It’s laughable that they would compare a leafy green to a dessert treat.  Crazy.

Today’s Recipes

Bee Sting Smoothie

  • 1 tablespoon of Bee Pollen granules
  • 2 cups of cut up kale
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
Two great vegan and gluten free recipes from From Tasty Yummies 

Blueberry, Banana and Kale Smoothie

  • 1 cup unsweetened organic vanilla almond milk
  • 1 tightly packed cup organic kale leaves (stems removed/chopped up)
  • 1 cup organic blueberries (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 organic ripe banana
  • 1-2 soft medjool dates (optional, or other sweetener of your choice, like agave nectar, honey, etc)
  • 1 small handful of ice cubes

Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

  • 1 cup organic unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other non-dairy milk of your choice)
  • 1 frozen organic banana (if it isn’t frozen, just add a bit more ice in at the end)
  • 2 cups tightly packed organic baby spinach
  • 1/3 cup tightly packed fresh mint leaves
  • 1 tablespoon ground chia seeds (optional)
  • 2-3 drops of alcohol-free liquid stevia (or any other sweetener of your choice like agave nectar, medjool dates, honey, etc)
  • 1/4 – 1/3 cup dairy-free, gluten-free mini chocolate chips
  • small handful of ice cubes

Day 13 – September Smoothie Challenge – Focused on my Intention

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On Day 13 of this month’s BWLW challenge, I made a list of my weight loss intentions.  I wanted to refocus on why I’m making all of these positive lifestyle changes to reach my weight and wellness goals.

  • I want to live my best life and make choices that best honor my body and spirit.
  • I want to be an inspiration to others, just as so many women have been bright lights showing me the way on my path to health and wellness.
  • I want to experience a life free from the diet cycle.  I don’t want to have the internal struggle of yo-yo dieting anymore.

What are your weight loss intentions, Ladies?

Today’s Recipes

Load of Berries Smoothie

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen unsweetened pitted dark cherries
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 cup POM pomegranate juice (chill before using)
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries
She’s Thick Smoothie
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup raw walnuts
  • 1 frozen ripe banana
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 plum (optional)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup of plain soy or almond milk
Melon Lime Smoothie
  • 2 cup cubed honeydew melon
  • 1 cup cubed cantalope
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries (optional)
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • Add 1/4 cup water if too thick to blend

Day 12 – September Smoothie Challenge – Consider Going Vegan

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Hey, Black Women Losing Weight Sistahood.  I hope you’re having a great day.  To recap day 12 for me, I continued to have 2 smoothies per day and fresh veggie juice at lease once per day as well.  As we are on our September Smoothie Challenge, I’m working to go VEGAN.  I’ve been a vegetarian or vegan in the past and I’ve found that it is the best for my body.  I think that more people should consider the vegan lifestyle in terms of eating or at least incorporate parts of the lifestyle (I still wear leather, eat honey, etc…I’m not a complete vegan).  I’ve also found that I don’t have to do as much exercise to maintain my weight loss when I’ve been vegan or vegetarian in the past.  I thought I’d give you a few reasons to consider going vegan or vegetarian since we are all incorporating more fruits and veggies into our diet, two pillars of these lifestyles.

  • Avoid toxins and chemicals that your body doesn’t identify as food.
  • Avoid antibiotics fed to animals.  Over exposure to antibiotics is causing a health issue for some people who’s bodies don’t react to them anymore.
  • Avoid exposure to hormones used to make animals mature faster so that they can fatten up quickly for market
  • Weight loss is typically seen when people adopt a vegan or vegetarian diet.   These lifestyle eliminate many unhealthy foods that tend to cause weight issues.   Sure, people still eat some fried food and un-complex carbs, but as a lifestyle many unhealthy foods are discouraged.
  • Being vegan saves more than 100 animals a year
  • The meat industry causes a lot of pollution in terms of animal waste.  You can help save the environment by eating less meat.
  • Eat less saturated fat that will clog up your arteries
  • Live Longer: Michael F. Roizen, MD, author of The RealAge Diet: Make Yourself Younger with What You Eat. ”People who consume saturated, four-legged fat have a shorter life span and more disability at the end of their lives. Animal products clog your arteries, zap your energy and slow down your immune system. Meat eaters also experience accelerated cognitive and sexual dysfunction at a younger age.”

Today’s Recipes

From Celeb Chef Marcus Samuelsson – Vegan Super Duper Green Kale Smoothie Recipe
  • small bunch of kale (approx 2 cups)
  • 1 kiwi
  • handful of frozen mixed berries
  • juice 1/2 lemon
  • juice 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup acai berry juice
  • 1/2 cup filtered water
  • 1 tbsp agave nectar (or any vegan sweetener)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Simple Honeydew Smoothie

  • 2 cups chopped honeydew melon
  • 1 cup plain almond milk
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 ripe banana
  • honey to taste.
End of Summer Smoothie
  • 1 cup fresh ripe strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 ripe fresh peach or nectarine
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Day 11 – September Smoothie Challenge – Busy Busy!

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OMG!! I’ve been so busy at work this week but I’ve been making time for smoothies.  Some of my co-workers have noticed that my face looks slimmer and that I seem to have more energy.  I’ve got that smoothie glow.  LOL  I don’t have anything special to share today, so on to the recipes.

Today’s Recipes

Pear Blueberry Freeze Smoothie

  • 1 diced pear
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup plain yogurt (you can also use a low sugar lemon yogurt)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
  • 1 cup of ice

 Romaine, Apple and Fiber Smoothie

  • 1 cup plain almond milk
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 golden delicious apple (chopped up)
  • 1 cup Romaine Lettuce (if loosely packed use 2 cups, cut in strips for easy blending)
  • 2 tablespoons wheat germ
  • ½ cup dried Apricots (optional, soak for 2 hours before using)
  • 1 cup of uncooked steel cut oats

Topical Fiber Smoothie

  • 1 cup Fiber One Cereal
  • 1 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1 cup soy milk
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1/4 cup dried coconut (no sugar added)
  • 1/4 cup flax seed (or flax meal)
  • 1 tbsp agave nectar
  • 1/2 cup of water

Day 8 – September Smoothie Challenge – Traveling with Smoothies

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Saturday was a very busy day so I had to take my smoothie with me.  We went to ComicCon in Baltimore.  Maybe, when I reach my weight loss goals, I can go in costume next year.  I could be Storm!  LOL.  If you want to travel with your smoothies, here are some tips:

  • A glass bottle or container is the best way to store your smoothie.  A mason jar will do.  Don’t use stainless steel.
  • Smoothies can leave a good deal of gunk that you’ll have to clean out when the leftover smoothie dries on the inside of the container.  Pick a container that is simple and will be easy to clean.
  • Keep the oxygen out.  Pick a container with a tight seal and fill it as close to the top as you can.
  • Keep it cool.  Use an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack.  You can also substitute ice in your recipe for water you would normally use and use frozen fruit to keep the drink cool longer.

Today’s Recipes:

Mango Strawberry Orange Smoothie – 2 servings

  • 1 orange (peeled)
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1 cup ice or 1 cup of water

Cucumber Berry Smoothie

  • Juice from one whole cucumber (med to large)
  • Juice from 3 pieces of celery
  • 1 cup of frozen blueberries
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1/2 cup water

Pineapple Berry Smoothie

  • 1/2 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
  • 1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup of frozen pineapple
  • 1 cup soy milk or 1% milk ( you can also substitute plain greek yogurt and 1/2 cup of water)