Love Food Editors - 100 Best Smoothies & Juices

S moothies trace their ancestry back to the milkshakes of the last century and they are probably descendants of the eighteenth-century milk punch. To begin with milk was flavored with a variety of spirits, brandy being particularly popular, then the milkshakemilk whisked with ice creamwas invented. This was further enhanced with the addition of extra flavorings, such as fruit. With the phenomenal development of artificial flavorings and colorings, the milkshake degenerated into a chemical mix that had never been near a strawberry or banana and was often sickly sweet. It finally came of age with the smoothie, usually based on milk or other dairy products and flavored with fresh fruit or vegetables, or a combination of both. Herbs and spices often add extra zing to the mix, appealing to adult palates as well as to children and young people.

Fruit and, to a lesser extent, vegetable juices have always been valued thirst quenchers. Understandably, easily squeezed fruits, such as oranges, were the most common and, generally, the juice was served on its own. Sometimes, other flavorings were incorporated, perhaps the most familiar being a dash of Worcestershire sauce in tomato juice. Gradually, the ease and convenience of commercially produced juices made fresh juice virtually obsolete in most homes. However, one positive thing that happened at the same time was that in their search for a greater share of the market, manufacturers started to produce mixed juices, such as a combination of tropical fruits. Now, with our desire for more subtle flavors and our nutritional awareness, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, often in the form of exotic cocktails have returned to the domestic kitchen.

Just because we know what is good for us doesnt mean that we always do what is right. For example, we all know that nutritionists recommend five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and most people recognize that it is important to start the day with breakfast. However, life is lived in the fast lane these days and it is difficult to fit in shopping and cooking with the demands of work and family life. Smoothies and juices can make a considerable contribution to resolving this dilemma. They can be made in minutes, so saving precious time in the kitchen. They are full of nutrients and count towards the five a day.

Many are positive powerhouses and provide a real energy boost first thing in the morning or at any time when you feel that you are running out of steam. Happily, smoothies and juices are the exception to the popular rule that it wont do you any good if it doesnt taste nasty. On the contrary, the flavors burst deliciously in the mouth, whether sweet or savory. Teenagers regard them as cool so they are an argument-free, easy alternative to sugar-packed fizzy sodas. Kidseven those who loathe vegetables and have to be cajoled into eating a piece of fruitlove them, especially modern milkshakes which have been reinvented in the wake of the smoothie. For those who dont want alcoholic drinks, they offer an exciting and adult alternative at social gatherings.

They can play a useful role in a calorie-controlled diet and may help anyone trying to give up smoking without gaining weight by substituting a candy-eating habit. The recipes in this book include a wide range of both sweet and savory treats and are divided into six chapters. Energy Explosion! is the one to turn to in the morning when you need to kick-start the day or when youre pushed for time and simply cant fit making a snack into your schedule. Health Booster! is packed with recipes for maximizing your wellbeing, offering easy and tasty ways to revitalize your looks and refresh a sluggish system. These smoothies and juices are great for keeping you in tip-top condition and are both tempting and nutritious for anyone recovering from an illness. The astonishing range of thirst-quenching and refreshing juices in Juicy Joy! is indeed a colorful and luscious delight that will spoil you for choice.

When your energy is flagging and the day begins to drag, turn to Perfect Pick-Me-Ups! for a timely reviver. Super Shakes! is for children of all ages with both family favorites and great new ideas.