6 Yummy Summer Smoothies
Some people enjoy smoothies as a breakfast on the go, while others use them for an afternoon snack or after-workout pick me up. They are not only delicious, but are often packed with nutrients, vitamins, and more. Need more protein in your diet or trying to get in shape? Add a scoop of your favorite whey protein powder to give your smoothie a healthy kick. These sweet (and not too sugary) smoothies are sure to be a hit even if you have a picky eater in your home. Here are our favorites to try this summer:
The Melissa Smoothie
Our Founding Editor Melissa Meyers makes a delicious smoothie for herself and family several times a week. If you are not a fan of bananas, feel free to replace with raspberries or blackberries for a yummy mixed berry smoothie.
• 1 cup cut-up fresh strawberries
• I ripe banana
• 1 Stoneyfield Farm fat free vanilla yogurt
• Organic Fat free Milk- 1/2 cup
• 8-10 ice cubes
Mix all ingredients in a blender for 2 minutes.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe
Sometimes you’re in the mood from something sweet and savory, rather than a fruity drink. Instead of grabbing a cookie or slice of cake, try blending up this Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie. If you’re a vegan, or just enjoy the taste of soymilk, forget the chocolate syrup and just use Silk chocolate soymilk.
• 1 banana
• 2 Tbs. Peanut Butter (chunky or smooth… whatever you prefer!)
• 1-2 squirts of Hershey’s reduced calorie chocolate syrup
• 1 Tbs. wheat germ
• 6 oz. soy milk
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!
Mango Green Tea Smoothie
This antioxidant-packed smoothie not only tastes great, but gives you that caffeine kick you might need. Blended with mango and fresh lime juice, you’ll feel as though you’re on a carribean island. Plus, you can always replace a regular green tea bag with decaf if you want to enjoy this smoothie in the evening.
• 1 green or white tea bag
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup mango, cubed
• 1 wedge fresh lime juice
• 2 cups crushed ice
Heat water and brew tea. Let cool. Place cooled tea, mango, lime juice, and crushed ice in a blender and blend until thick and smooth.
Creamy Peach Smoothie
Peaches are my favorite fruit to have in the summertime. This combination of peaches, reduced-calorie (and delicious) vanilla ice cream, OJ and soy milk will end up tasting like a frozen creamsicle!
• 1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained
• 4 scoops Edie’s slow-churned vanilla ice cream (lower in calories & tastes great!)
• 2 cups vanilla soy milk
• 1/4 cup orange juice
In a blender, combine peaches, ice cream, soy milk and orange juice. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
Coconut water seems to be the latest craze, and we completely agree! ZICO coconut water is not only tasty, but has great health benefits as well (Gisele Bündchen is a huge fan). It contains five essential electrolytes to help your body perform at its best while staying hydrated.
Zinnamon Apple Smoothie
Apples & cinnamon are already a great combination, so by adding the ZICO coconut water, almonds and vanilla extract, you’ll be getting nutrients without sacrificing the flavor. Plus this recipe calls for protein powder and flax seed, which builds lean muscle and aids digestion.
• 1 cup (8oz) Coconut water natural flavor (ZICO)
• 4 raw Almonds
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract no alcohol
• 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1 cup chopped apple (firm type such as empire, granny smith)
• ½ scoop Natural unsweetened protein powder (Biochem)
• 1 TBSP flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed)
In a blender combine all ingredients and 3 ice cubes.
Pulse for approximately 10-15 seconds.
Chocolate Banana Berry Zmoothie
With cocoa powder, blueberries, banana, protein powder and more, this smoothie tastes amazing and is great for your body too! The rolled oats add additional consistency, similar to a milkshake.
• 8 oz ZICO Natural
• 1 scoop choc protein powder
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 ripe banana
• 8 oz lowfat milk
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
In a blender combine all ingredients and 3 ice cubes.
Pulse for approximately 10-15 seconds
Breaking Down Beauty Ingredients
Wandering the beauty aisles can be a daunting task. It’s not just about finding the perfect shade of nude lip gloss, part of the problem is we’re just not familiar with the ingredients and what they do. That’s why I’m giving you the scoop on some seriously great ingredients and, as always, some deals so you can get what you need. Give it a try—it’s a break for your face and your wallet!
A is for Apples. A product that’s flying off the shelves right now is the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength ($45). I always thought “natural” or “organic” was a bit too delicate and hippie to really be the industrial powerhouse I needed, but I was wrong. I was very wrong. Not to get all sciencey on you, but this is sort of interesting, and what makes the patented Green Apple Peel ingredients so powerful and effective is:
Malic Acid is from Green Apples
Citric Acid is from Lemons
Tartaric Acid is from Grapes
Salicylic Acid is from Willow bark (Full Strength Only)
It’s the unique combination of the above alpha and beta hydroxy acids from organic ingredients, along with raw cane sugar, that make this product so strong! The reason the organic ingredient part is important is because organics have 30-35% higher antioxidant and vitamin loads than non-organic ingredients.
BONUS: FREE Full-size hydrating mask with any purchase over $35 CODE Meg. Ends July 31st.
A is also for Argan. We see it in everything from makeup to skincare to hair products. Use it while pregnant and it even prevents stretch marks! Women try it and they don’t turn back! It’s so multi-use and a little goes such a long way that it’s a must-have in every medicine cabinet.
So, what is Argan Oil? Argan oil is an oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree. Endemic Argan oil remains one of the rarest oils in the world due to small and very specific growing areas in Morocco.
Taylor Swift and Salma Hayek have gone on record to say that they’re huge Argan Oil fans, but with all of these new Argan Oil products flooding the market, why do we at Megsmakeup.com love Zakias Argan Oil 100% Pure and Natural ($39.99) so much?
Because the women that harvest the Argan Oil, the Berber woman of Morocco, do it all by hand and in small groups. They painstakingly, manually grind the Argan nuts into a paste and then extract the oil. Zakias does not use machines, and it employs and empowers women with jobs.
BONUS: Want to try it? Here’s a deal! Use Code MEG2000 and enjoy 20% OFF of any order!
“It’s Good as Gold!” There’s no wonder why Hollywood’s gliteratti have been flocking for years to facial serums with gold in them. When La Prairie launched their Cellular Radiance Gold (at $580 an ounce!) in 2006, they had a bestseller on their hands. Study after study has shown that gold maintains firmness and elasticity and works on improving circulation and decreasing skin inflammation. Pure gold helps to soften expression lines, reduce fine wrinkles and diminish the appearance of age spots.
On Megsmakeup.com, we just had a tremendously positive review of KenetMD’s 24k Gold Serum ($95). Formulated by a very fancy and heavily degreed celebrity dermatologist, Dr. Barney Kenet, this serum has Hollywood buzzing. Botanicals mixed with actual gold flecks glide onto skin and leave you with a very illuminated look. I have never used anything that works so perfectly as a primer.
It makes sense that Dr. Kenet would create this, since he’s New York City’s Upper East Side Golden Boy, tending to a few big-name clients (Demi, Sandra, Jennifer…). If you too want to hold a big gold statue someday, practice in your mirror with this little gold bottle!
BONUS: Want in? The retail is $95 BUT with code Meg Head you only pay $60 (good for the first 100 only so move quick!).
“You Are What You Eat!” We’ve all heard that one, and we all know about the skin benefits of Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Well, this amazing product has all of that plus a huge infusion of Vitamin F. Let me introduce you to Cosminology’s Galactive Glove Seal Your Skin Anti-Oxidant Serum ($75)!
“Vitamin F” was the designation originally given to essential fatty acids that the body cannot manufacture. They were then “de-vitaminized” because they are fatty acids, but you need fatty acids! Acids are probably what you’re swallowing every day to promote healthy hair and nails. That’s where your daily multi-vitamin comes into play, since our bodies do not manufacture Vitamin F. The issue (like much of nutrition) is balance. For example, Omega 6s are considered “pro-inflammatory” while Omega 3s are “anti-inflammatory.” Our body needs some inflammation to survive.
Galactic Glove Seal Your Skin Anti-Oxidant Treatment has been a “holy grail” item on Megsmakeup.com and it has been a life-saver for women that suffer from acne. I know putting an oil on your face seems counterproductive, but not when it’s stored with this many anti-inflammatory properties. The added antioxidants also combat free radicals and act as a barrier to heal and protect your face. Who’s behind this innovative product? Brilliant dermatologist, Dr. Dima!
BONUS: Vitamin F for Frugal! Want a deal on this baby? Just type in Code MEG For 20% OFF.
Hyaluronic Acid is Your Friend! Your skin is thirsty for it! You’re probably pretty familiar with this term and you see it in a lot of great anti-aging skin products. So…what exactly is it? Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance that can be found in the body. Since it helps retain water, it keeps skin hydrated, moist and soft, thereby maintaining a youthful appearance. As we age, the level of HA in the body also decreases, so the older we get, the less ability the skin has to retain its moisture, hence the occurrence of lines and wrinkles. Epione’s Correction ($175) has the highest pharmaceutical grade of Hyaluronic Acid available on the market today!
Epione Corrective Skincare is what Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ own Lisa Vanderpump swears by. The creator, Dr. Simon Ourion, is who I see when I am in Beverly Hills for all of my facial work.
Speaking of…where else do I recommended for a good skin fix? When I’m on the East Coast, I run to Dr. Barney Kenet. When I’m in a jam heading down south, I see Dr. Dima in Reston, VA. For days when I’m in Los Angeles and I have a “TV problem,” you can find my tush in a seat in Dr. Ourian’s waiting room and I’m never alone. I see many A-Listers there!
BONUS: You want some? I knew you would! Use Code MEG for 20% OFF.
I hope this info proved valuable to you! Just a few things I have learned and a few great products I have found as we all search for the fountain of youth. What ingredient do you always look for before deciding whether or not to buy? Hope these discounts help on the best products on the market!
-Megan O’Brien of MegsMakeup.com
Megan O’Brien runs Megsmakeup.com. Meg is a beauty expert and makeup artist who frequently guest stars on national television. Megsmakeup.com is her baby, where she believes, “Always remember, true beauty comes from within…from within bottles, jars, compacts and tubes!”
Image Credit: Sheckys.com
 Sheckys.com lets you share your man’s mystifying moments, get easy tips for the healthiest, happiest and most fashionable you, discover our Girls Night Out events and more, all while earning OMG Points toward free goodies! |
Ask Melissa: No or Lo-Cal Refreshing Drinks
I know how important it is for both my skin and body to stay hydrated during the summer, but I don’t like the taste of plain water. Any tips on easy-to-drink beverages that won’t pack on the pounds?
It is certainly very important, especially in the summertime, to drink lots of water. I am not a huge fan of plain water as well, so I need to get creative to make sure I get the recommended daily amount (.5 oz multiplied by your body weight in pounds). Below are several options for refreshing, healthy, and great-tasting drinks that won’t increase your waistline!
My go-to drink is a cranberry and club soda. You can vary how sweet you want it by adjusting the amount of club soda (I like it with half of each). Try using Ocean Spray Light Cran-Rasberry Juice, which is lower in calories and tastes delicious. Cranberry juice is known to have various health benefits – it can help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, and urinary tract infections.
Buy Now, White Rock Club Soda (Pack of 12), $16.89
Buy Now, Ocean Spray Light Cranberry Rasberry Juice Drink (Pack of 8), $53.52
A new favorite of mine is Skinny Water. The Raspberry Pomegranate Crave Control flavor is zero calories and contains electrolytes and Super CitriMax, which is known to curb your appetite. It reminds me of the days when my mom used to make raspberry Jell-O in the liquid form… only this is cold and tastes better!
Buy Now, Skinny Water Crave Control Raspberry Pomegranate (Pack of 12), $18.75
Vitamin Water has been very popular for a while now, however, I prefer the newer zero calorie version. Naturally sweetened and packed with antioxidants from acai berries, blueberries, and pomegranates, Vitamin Water Zero’s “XXX” is my favorite. It’s super refreshing and energizing with vitamins A, B, C, and electrolytes.
Buy Now, Vitamin Water Zero XXX (Pack of 24), $37.32
Coconut water is extremely hydrating and tastes delicious! It’s perfect to drink after a workout because it has more muscle-soothing potassium than a banana, plus electrolytes. I prefer it fresh from the coconut, but they can be difficult to find, and you need a machete to cut off the tops. An easier option is to drink ZICO Coconut Water. I always keep several bottles in my fridge – It’s 60 calories for one 14 fl oz bottle, and fat-free, too!
Buy Now, ZICO Pure Premium Coconut Water (Pack of 12), $25.31
Tasty and full of antioxidants, Honest Tea’s Passion Fruit Green Tea with Maqui Berry is zero calories and naturally sweetened. This drink is sweeter than most of the other Honest Tea drinks, so it’s great if you have a sweet tooth.
Buy Now, Honest Tea Passion Fruit Green Tea with Maqui Berry, $15.99
My best-kept secret of all is SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia in Vanilla Crème flavor. Just add three-five drops of this all-natural sweetener to 12 oz of water. The concentrated drops are available in a variety of flavors, but my personal favorite is the vanilla. Try adding it to club soda and you will make yourself a healthy crème soda!
