If someone said she wanted a "smoothie" back in the early 1930's, she wasn't talking about the frosty, blended drink made with fresh or frozen fruit. She was talking about body-shaping undergarments, like bras and girdles, that would "smooth" out her figure.
Nowadays, girdles are out, but smoothies are in. Whether it's a simple strawberry-banana breakfast smoothie made in your own kitchen or a $7 acai berry and juice concoction that promises eternal youth, smoothies are everywhere.
Though some of the earliest blended fruit drinks surfaced in the late 1930's and early 1940's, smoothies as we know them, emerged in the 1960's. According to Wikipedia, Stephen Kuhnau, the owner of the chain Smoothie King admits that he didn't create the word "smoothie;" he credits hippies from the late 1960's with coining the term. No matter who came up with the name, it's now synonymous with healthy, fun, and refreshing drinks.
Smoothies are generally made with fresh or frozen fruit and a liquid such as water, juice, or milk. Yogurt makes thicker smoothies. Sometimes sweeteners like agave nectar or honey are added. There are even green smoothies made from green vegetables such as spinach and kale. As for flavor combinations, let your imagination soar. But if you need some ideas, then please back here. Over the next several weeks I'll be sharing some of my favorite summertime smoothie recipes with you.
And ladies, in case you didn't catch the moral of the story, here it is: Drink more smoothies so you don't have to wear a smoothie.
Cinnamon-Spiked Cherry and Banana Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Print recipe only here.
1/2 cup pitted fresh cherries (or unthawed frozen)
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup vanilla soy milk (or milk of your choice)
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy. Add more milk if you like it thinner.
You might also enjoy these cherry dessert recipes from Food Blogga:
Cherry and Blackberry Clafoutis
Almond Panna Cotta with Glazed Cherries
Quick Chocolate Cinnamon Mousse with Cherries
You might also enjoy these cherry drink recipes:
Cherry Mojito recipe at YumSugar
Cherry Limeade recipe at What Geeks Eat
Blue Lagoon Margarita recipe at Recipe Girl
