Through trial and error in my life many things come and go but these smoothies are here to stay.The best thing about this was that I was sick when I tried my first 'real' smoothie and I know it helped me.I asked hubby for a blender the other day and he surprised me. So I have been mixing ever since. My first one was a disaster. It wasn't well thought out. I was in a rush to make a smoothie. I used apples, water and ice.My big girl was looking at me like "I ain't drinking that" we took a sip and spit it out. How funny! I feel so dumb. Any who, I am not a quitter so I researched them a little more. This is what I am comfortable with now:
Dole 100% fruit juice-OrangeMangoPeach
Yoplait yogurt- I buy simple flavors, strawberry, strawberry banana, etc.
$1-Spinach- fresh 1 bag @ local farmer's market
mango-cut into 1 inch pieces
cantaloupe-cut into 1 inch pieces
frozen berry medley- veggie freezer section-walmart
Bag of sonic ice-crushed to prolong the life of my blender/blades

It suppressed my appetite. I was surprised that it didn't cause my bowels to go crazy. I am not endorsing it's diet suppression properties, as I am not sure if it's healthy not to eat according to everyone's caloric requirement, but I, myself had a smoothie in the morning and I felt really satisfied for most of the day. This is weird b/c I eat each and every time I see food, especially at home or if it's free.

I am aware that the juice and yogurt contain sugar, but that's okay with me.I didn't buy a sweetener the dole juice and yogurt seem to be sweet enough. I am not comfortable with trying sweeteners yet. To be honest, as I most often try to be, there is barely a difference in taste with or without the spinach. The fruity taste hides the spinach. I really like these smoothies. I know nothing about different protein powders to add. I am simply simple when it comes to my smoothies, anything more at this point and I would be overwhelmed. I measure nothing, I add ingredients by sight.

My initial feeling was to ship a blender and some spinach to several family members who need some fruit/health in there life. Forget slim fast, this is the way to go.I have been high off of the farmer's market. Cheap, fresh fruit. I thought it would be more expensive. I bought a bag of spinach and kiwis for $2 total, no tax.Heck, I gave the lady a tip b/c I felt cheap putting the extra money I saved back in my purchase. All this time we have been made to believe that getting it from the store is cheaper. I have been hitting up the farmer's market like crazy. Some of the other members have been raving about their local farmer's market,too. Try one if you get a chance. A large basket of strawberries for $5 I was in heaven.Enough, now off to talk about my exercise regimen.


EXERCISE: My exercise regimen has been awesome. Even though I have been sick I still do my cardio. Granted I felt like I was going to die the entire time, but I was so proud of myself and my body really thanked me afterwards. I'm sore and aching so good, but my throat and my breathing are a-okay. My symptoms really cleared up after the workout. I have been working out for 2 weeks straight. My goal is to tone, increase flexibility and strength. Weight loss would be a bonus. I work out 2 days doing Denise Austin's Abs,Buns,Arms for one day, Winsor Pilates the next day, Biggest Loser Cardio Max and then rest 1-2 days and repeat. Oh and I do 2 mins worth of criss cross crunches after each exercise except on Cardio Max days. All of my DVDs in rotation have several different levels of intensity so I am not bored yet. I'm still on Level "trying to keep up" 1. I have made time for me. An hour or less, "Life" that is all I ask for, just give me an hour of me time.

Let me know about your lifestyle changes!!!

Experimenting with MN, too, I'll keep you posted.