SMOOTH AND DELICIOUS DRINKS Mmm mmm slurp Crushed fruit drinks were tasty chug-a-lugs in the Mediterranean Asia and Latin America hundreds of years ago But they didn’t take off around the world until the blender was invented in the 1930s The blender could crush mix and blend whole fruits and vegetables like never before The inventor of the blender Fred Waring was right when he said it would revolutionize drinks Not only did it break down fruits and vegetables so people could absorb the nutrients better it also whipped them into smooth drinks In the 1960s a health food movement swept North America and smoothies began popping up at California beaches health food stores and restaurants Many different cultures have their own versions of smoothies Other popular blended drinks include the mango lassi in India and the jallab in the Middle East 4
The ideas for smoothies in this book are meant to inspire you to create your own recipes and drinks You can follow the steps provided or use your imagination to create your own delicious drinks NUTRITION IN A GLASS Just suck it up Chances are you won’t find a drink as delicious and nutritious as a smoothie Made of whole fruits and vegetables smoothies are brimming with water antioxidants fiber and nutrients such as vitamins minerals enzymes and phytonutrients Nutrients like these often work together as a team This makes eating or drinking whole fruits and vegetables better than taking vitamins and nutrient pills or supplements Since you swallow all the team players in one shot they can get the nutritional job done What’s more the fiber in whole fruits and vegetables helps keep your blood sugar stable lowers cholesterol and gets rid of waste and deadly toxins THE VITAL IN VITAMINS AND MINERALS Vitamin A is key to Vitamin C helps protect healthy skin and hair as body tissue from well as bone and tooth damage fights infection growth It helps your strengthens bones and vision and boosts your teeth and helps you immune system absorb iron Vitamin B2 converts food into energy develops healthy skin hair and nails and helps make cells and red blood cells Vitamin B6 boosts your immune system and helps you absorb protein as well as make cells and red blood cells Vitamin E helps make red blood cells balances cholesterol and helps heal skin tissues Vitamin K helps blood clot or stop bleeding and helps your bones stay healthy Magnesium helps strengthen bones and teeth promotes new cell growth increases energy and helps your body use B and C vitamins as well as calcium Manganese helps keep your bones tissues and nerves healthy and protects cells from damage by free radicals Potassium helps you stay hydrated absorb nutrients and keep a healthy heart Phosphorus boosts energy and helps keep your bones teeth and nerves healthy 5
