Welcome to another Don blog posting and hang on to your hat. This is all about the drink or juice or smoothie or beverage made from fresh ingredients. As part of my program of shrinking – I choose to phrase it in a positive manner and not use any word reflecting losing or loss, I began to make a “meal replacement smoothie” as one (and sometimes two) meals a day – usually my breakfast. The basic concept I was and am following is that if I begin my day with a nutritional “blast” then the rest of the day will require less groceries and therefore allow me to shrink. We had wanted a Vita-mix for a long time, so this was bonus. My recipes are an evolutionary process and I’d like to share some of the basics I am following:

1. I’m using watermelon as one of my basic “liquids” – about a cup and a half or so of chunks – seeds included, but no rind. This equates to almost a cup of liquid.
2. I like adding a large leaf of kale (take the stem out and cut it into pieces and put into the watermelon liquid).
3. I add some protein powder – this was a huge challenge to find one that didn’t have a ton of added sugar and did have a reasonable amount of added nutrients – the one I chose is:
   1. Calories 113
      Calories from Fat 6
      Total Fat 1 g
      Saturated fat 0 g
      Cholesterol 0 mg
      Sodium 31 mg
      Total Carbohydrates 3 g
      Fiber 1 g
      Sugars 2 g
      Protein 22 g
   2. Very low in sugar and a decent amount of protein from peas.
4. The taste was “less than stellar” until I added a teaspoon of organic cocoa powder (I bought from Trader Joe’s)
5. I add a cut up peach or nectarine.
6. I add a few dates (we live in the date capital of the world and I buy the Royal pitted Medjools)
7. When it is all nicely mixed and “smoothed” I add about 3/4 cup of ice to chill it.

I spent a while reading the labels on the different powders that are available. Many had soy protein and/or lots of sugar and I wanted a healthier choice. To add (or transform) the taste from “GREEN” to palatable I’ve added the cocoa and have an amazingly chocolatey taste.

Make your own variations with your favorite flavors and be healthy.