Here’s how to make “Healthy Fruit Smoothie”

Ingredients:

* 1 Cup of yogurt (i used strawberry fruit on the bottom)
* 1 Small container of fruit juice (I used 100% juice Mango Passion)
* 1 Banana
* 1 Cup Strawberries
* 1 Cup Raspberries
* 1 Cup Blueberries

Directions:

* Other than that all you need is a blender and a crude measuring system…i just used a glass out of my cabinet that i know is roughly a cup. You can use fresh or frozen fruit. I am using frozen because a) Its what I have and b) it makes for a slightly thicker smoothie without the need of ice cubes The steps are very straightforward: Peel the banana, break it in half, and put into the blender facing up ideally.
* Measure out roughly 1 Cup of one of your fruit selections and dump them in. Thats what one cup of blueberries looks like…I know there’s lots of residual frost which isnt ideal but it will work out fine.
* Repeat this with the other two berries. Dump in the yogurt and between some and all of the juice depending on how you like the consistency of your smoothie. I used 3/4 of the bottle I had which is like 6 ounces or something. Blend. Make sure its good and mixed. I like to rock my blender back and forth as it goes to ensure a healthy mixture. Then pour into a glass and enjoy.
* For my money this drink can’t be beat for good taste and good-for-you-ness. I would recommend against anything citrus not because its bad, but it changes the nature of the drink drastically and, well, i’m a bit of a purist. Enjoy!

Now that you have learned how to make healthy fruit smoothie, please be sure to view the other recipes.

Here’s how to prepare “Mendiants”

Ingredients:

1 cup assorted nuts, chopped (e.g. almonds, pistachios etc.)
½ cup light corn syrup

10-½ oz. bittersweet chocolate (or milk chocolate, sugar-free), tempered
1/3 cup assorted candied fruit, diced (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

In a saucepan, place chopped nuts and syrup and place over low heat.

Make sure that the liquefied syrup completely coats the nuts evenly.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and remove the nuts and place on a parchment covered baking sheet.

Spread evenly.

Bake the nuts until they have caramelized.

Pour the tempered chocolate over the nuts.

Do this quickly or the chocolate will set.

Set aside to harden.

When cool, you can break them up.

You can store the mendiants in an airtight container at room temperature (they will remain good for one week).