Beverages/Shakes

Fruit Smoothie
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Spiced Winter Tea

Fruit Smoothie

2 tsp. whole flaxseed, ground in a coffee mill
1 1/4 cups plain soy milk
1/2 medium banana
4 strawberries, sliced
2 Tbsp. blueberries
1 tsp. honey
4 ice cubes

Whip all ingredients in a blender.

Serves 1

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories 310
Calories from Fat 45
Total Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 120 mg
Total Carbohydrate 63 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g
Sugars 33 g
Protein 8g

Mexican Hot Chocolate

I'm a big believer in having small amounts of dark chocolate and cocoa as a healthy treat, and there's nothing quite like hot chocolate made from scratch on a cold winter night. One small caveat: If you're sensitive to caffeine, don't drink this too close to bedtime.

4 cups organic low-fat milk
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

In a medium heavy saucepan, combine the milk, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture just to a boil over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder, and simmer for 2 minutes, continuing to whisk the mixture. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and serve with cinnamon sticks if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Spiced Winter Tea
This is a great drink for a brisk January day.

6 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves
5 tea bags
1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Honey to taste

Bring first 4 ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags. Cover and let steep 10 minutes. Discard tea bags. Add orange and lemon juices to tea mixture. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Re-warm before continuing.) Using slotted spoon, remove whole spices. Serve hot.

Makes about 6 cups.