Green Tea Berry Smoothie

WI Cheesehead's Note:

This is a wonderful, healthy smoothie from Delicious Living mag. Here's what they say: "When you absolutely need breakfast to go, try this super-powered smoothie. Green tea’s antioxidants help prevent cancers, blocked arteries, and even tooth decay; flax provides healthy omega-3 fats; and berries offer fiber and vitamin C—all served up in a tasty, easy-to-carry form." I adjusted it a bit by adding more flax and some oat bran. My 4 yo loves it too! It's not too thick and not too thin, just right.

• Total Time: 5 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 1

• 1/4 cup water, plus more as needed
• 1 green tea bag
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds or 2 tablespoons flax seed oil
• 2 tablespoons oat bran or 2 tablespoons wheat germ
• 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries
• 6 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 cup cranberry juice or 1/4 cup apple juice
• honey, to taste

Directions:

1. Microwave water on high until boiling, about 45-60 seconds. Add tea bag and steep for 3 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor (or hand blender), combine ground flaxseed, oat bran, berries, yogurt and juice and blend until smooth.
3. Squeeze and remove tea bag and add tea to berry mixture, blending until smooth.
4. Adjust consistency with additional water, if needed and sweeten with honey, if desired.
5. Makes 1 large or 2 small servings.

Reviews

[Darkhunter]

OK, personal preference only, didn't like the texture. Used both the wheat germ and flaxseed. Think I will keep those for adding to my baking. On taste, however, it was very good! I used mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries), and for the juice I used pomegranate. Will fix this again, forgoing the other two ingredients. Thnx for posting, WI Cheesehead. Made for Comfort Cafe Summer 2009.

[Andrew Mollmann]

5 stars for the taste, 4 for the texture. I skipped the flax and doubled the oats. Used half blue berries and half strawberry.

[Lynne the Pirate Queen]

This is a nice, versatile smoothie that includes so many of my favorite things! I made a few changes based on allergies and available ingredients: Since I'm allergic to yogurt, I instead used about 4 ounces of silken tofu, adding more green tea (3/4 cup total) to thin it out. I also used apple juice and about 1 cup of fresh blackberries, and sweetened it all with about a tablespoon of raw honey. Whipped up in my handy little Magic Bullet, this was ready in no time! Next time I think I will try this with cranberry juice for more flavor, and maybe a bit more honey. Love this filling and nutritious drink! Thanks for sharing!