Smoothies

My most recent Parenting magazine had an article on preventing the flu.  There were the usual tips on hand washing, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and fever remedies.  There were 3 tips, though, on strengthening your immune system.  The first tip was titled "Wake-Up Call" and recommended eating breakfast rich in colorful fruits and veggies along with whole-grain carbohydrates.  The second tip was to "Power up the Probiotics."  A study had shown that preschoolers who were given twice daily probiotics supplements had less coughs and runny noses during the cold and flu season.  Probiotics can be found in breastmilk/formula, yogurts, and supplements.  The third tip was to "Dish up Vitamin D," which helps activate immune cells.  The best source of vitamin D is sunlight, but can also be found inn fortified milk and juices, cheeses, eggs, and salmon.  After reading the article, I thought, well, I can cover all 3 of these tips in a smoothie!  So, for breakfast every morning, we have some kind of smoothie.  I have found that the Stonyfield Organic Low-Fat Vanilla yogurt is not only delicous, but full of probiotics and is fortified with Vitamin D.  This was the only yogurt with Vitamin D at my local Wal-Mart.  So, I use about 1/2 - 3/4c Minute Maid Kids Orange Juice (all kinds of added vitamins), yogurt, and a variety of frozen fruits and blend with my immersion blender to make the best smoothies!  We've had Strawberry Banana, Peach-Mango-Banana, Blueberry Peach, Cherry-Peach.  The possibilities are endless and they are delicious!