Sometimes I do blueberries in the smoothies so I can sneak spinach in without my kids' noticing.

I usually add soy or whey protein, though I recently had a vegetarian non-soy protein, I think. I should investigate.

My favorite it to throw in pitted apricots with frozen strawberries. Just those two fruits. Very tasty.l

Good thread to start! THANKS!

We buy the large carton of plain vanilla yogurt, so we can use w any flavor. We buy protein powder/vanilla too that we can use w n e flavor. I like peanut butter/banana/dark cho chips. We have been quick freezing fresh fruit that is in season because its cheaper . We get a couple of extra straws from fast food places because the straws are bigger/thicker and so much easier to drink from. We could also use frozen yogurt. The V8 smoothies are great! I put some in a water bottle and freeze for a couple of hours. It s so refreshing! Some of v8 drinks have soy milk in them.

A favorite ingredient of mine is raw cashews or almonds, soaked in water for at least a couple hours (or overnight), which I then blend with fruit: berries, mangos, peaches, whatever. I was having a lot of smoothies like this when I was having trouble eating and was trying get more calories and protein. Also high in calories are dates (which can be soaked in water also to make them easier to blend; I get whole dates with the pits, not the gross dried chopped kind:) and coconut milk in a can. And avocados mixed with other fruit; they give a very smooth texture.

I also like to put a raw beet in my berry/banana smoothie since they have lots of vitamins. Another good trick I learned, a half a cup of cranberries in with other fruit doesn't tast sour at all, and supposedly cranberries help with UTIs; so this is good for people who are immunosuppressed.

I love putting greens in my smoothies too for extra nutrients, and now that it's hot out, the one I've been making every day is:

3 big leaves of kale or swiss chard
5 cubic inches or so of watermelon
4 or 5 mint leaves
.5" cube of fresh ginger
dash of cinnamon
a banana, a handful of frozen blueberries, or half an avacado
enough coconut water to get the blender started

Yum!

I've eaten this almost daily for the last few months. It couldn't be easier to throw together.

Easy Lentil Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander (or curry powder)
pinch of red pepper flakes
1 cup red lentils
1 carrot finely chopped
1 tomato, peeled, seeded & chopped (or a 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes)
4 cups vegetable broth
salt and freshly ground pepper
juice of 1/2 lemon plus slices for garnish

* In a large pot warm oil over medium high heat. Add onions and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, and cook stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

* Add lentils, carrot, tomato, broth. Season with salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer until lentils fall apart and carrots are soft, about 40 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

* Working in batches, puree soup in a blender, or puree using a submersion blender, or use a potato masher. Return to pot and add lemon juice.

* Enjoy!

When I am having trouble swallowing chunky things, I blend a can of chunky chicken noodle soup, healthy variety, a few baby carrots, a few pieces of broccoli, some milk and/or Greek yogurt, a small can of chunk white chicken. I blend all this until smooth, then heat in a coffee mug and sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top. Makes a great cream soup.

I take an immodium when sometimes I can only drink a smoothy. I like blueberries and bananas and some protein.

I need the veggies, so maybe I'll try blending some.