About thirty plus years ago the fitness crazy started.  Think Jane Fonda workout, Denise Austin, Jim Fixx’s Complete Book of Running, Jaimie Benkus’s 8 minute Abs and since then we’ve seen Tony Horton and a variety of other internet phenom trainers.  With fitness at the forefront, good nutrition goes hand and hand.  A couple in New Orleans, Steve and Cindy Kuhnau, back in 1973, took their interest in making smoothies in their own kitchen to the business world with the start of…SMOOTHIE King.  Their small operation grew by leaps and bounds and has even hit the international market, selling franchises.  In fact, the  in 2014, they partnered with  the New Orleans NBA team, the Pelicans  who now play in the Smoothie King Center.  Smoothie King has a menu with a nice variety and with add ins like protein, greens and electrolytes you can walk out with a nutritious meal in a cup.

We’ve been making smoothies in our kitchen since the kids were little.  It was a good way to get some fruits and vegetables in them, sometimes without them knowing.  Some of them can taste like a milk shake, you just need to watch the sugar content of what you are putting in to your blender. Blender?  If you don’t have a blender, you can use a hand blender or even a little hand battery operated frothier can mix up something quite good.  I would only used the hand frothier if blending protein powder and water or milk, not if adding fruits.  I have a Vitamix, which is one of the top lines.  This is our third one over the course of our marriage.  We use a blender almost every day so I feel it is an appliance we get our money’s worth out of.  It is a personal question.  I purchased our most recent one on a sale.  Shop around and read reviews assessing what your needs are and what is in your budget.

Protein Powders have changed quite a bit over the last thirty years or so and there are plenty on the market from whey to vegetable based.  My favorite breakfast meal smoothie right now is a protein shake with the best tasting one I have come across.  If you are in a hurry or don’t have time to bother, you can buy premade, which I’m not really a fan of because I like the idea of making my own so I know what’s in them.  And of course, if you are on the go, there might just a be a SMOOTHIE KING in your neck of the woods.  Below are a few recipes to get you going.  Once you get in the mode of smoothies, you’ll get creative, you’ll see what you like and you’ll probably get creative and come up with your own recipes.  Write them down so you don’t forget what you put in your favorites.  Here are a few of  mine…

Our new favorite protein powder.

Ka’Chava Superfood Protein Powder Smoothies Ka’Chava is a plant based protein powder that contains all on your nutrition in one swoop, or actually 2 scoops.  They offer a variety of flavors.  I have tried and would give a thumbs up to the Chocolate and Coconut Acai.

Coconut Acai Strawberry Protein  Smoothie

12 ounces of water

2 heaping scoops  Ka’Chava powder (use your favorite powder)

I/2 banana sliced or 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries

1/2 teaspoon flaxseed oil

A few ice cubes

Blend until smooth.

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

12 ounces water

2 heaping scoops Ka’Chava (or your favorite protein powder)

1/2 banana sliced

A few ice cubes

Blend until smooth.

Banana Ginger Smoothie

1 sliced banana

1 Tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

6 ounces Greek yogurt

-Blend until smooth

Orange Banana Strawberry Smoothie

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/2 banana sliced 1/2 cup orange juice (I like fresh squeezed juice)

1/3 cup frozen strawberries (raspberries can be substituted)

-Blend until smooth.