Every so often, an all-news e-mail goes out that has reporters leaping from their chairs and dashing to the counter in the newsroom.
The subject line goes something like this: "Bagels on the counter."
Darn my luck this morning, though. The free bagels happen to coincide with a nasty flare-up of TMJ, which has my left jaw joint aching badly at every chomp. Yesterday, I could hardly chew a banana.
This morning, I'm faced with one of the chewiest of treats: a sesame bagel.
Just to show you how ridiculous I am, I am gingerly gumming this thing right now, even as I write this posting.
But when lunch time comes around, I'm sure I won't be in the mood to work this aching jaw muscle anymore. So I'm wondering -- would it be irresponsible for me to just drink a smoothie for lunch?
Smoothies are made with fruit and therefore contain vitamins, correct? Some of them contain yogurt, milk, or ice cream, which will help me to battle osteoporosis, right?
But where to get the most awesome smoothie for lunch without sacrificing my health too much on, say, a Dunkin' Donuts coffee cooler or something?
In the downtown area, I know of only the Little Dipper. I used to love Zeus' Juice out in Salem, but that's long gone. So tell me, where do you all get a good smoothie?
In case I end up just having to satisfy this craving at home, I looked up a couple of smoothie recipes.
Here goes:
Mondo Mango Smoothie
Ingredients:
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 cup orange sherbet
1 banana
2 cups mango, sliced
2 cups ice
1 teaspoon lime juice
Blend together until smooth.
Source: www.smoothieweb.com
Triple Threat Fruit Smoothie
1 kiwi, sliced
1 banana, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup orange juice
1 (8 ounce) container peach yogurt
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Source: allrecipes.com
Low Fat Smoothie with Soy Milk
3 cups plain or vanilla soy milk
1 banana, peeled and frozen
1 cup frozen strawberries or raspberries
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1/3 cup Equal or Splenda sugar substitute
Peel and cut banana into large chunks. Place in plastic freezer bag, seal and freeze at least 5 to 6 hours or overnight.
Place all ingredients in blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
Makes 4 servings.
Adapted from Cooks.com
Comments
[May 21, 2008 2:04 PM]
AmandaOOH I have a great smoothie recipe. 1 cup frozen blackberries or cherries, 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 1 tablespoon wheat germ, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon of Vitamin C powder. Blend until smooth. YUUUUUMMMMMM-O!
[May 21, 2008 2:13 PM]
Amy Hanek : →http://www.houseonthegladehill.blogspot.comMy son will ask for a banana smoothie and I will let him make one of his own. Unfortunately, this can be code for "ice cream, banana milk shake" - but that's okay. I be happy with any nutrition he gets.
[May 21, 2008 5:39 PM]
Lindsey : →http://blogs.roanoke.com/fridgemagnet/I did end up getting a smoothie for lunch. I got a "Hawaiian All-Fruit" smoothie from the Little Dipper. It had mangoes, bananas, blueberries and something else in it. I noticed something interesting: No matter what fruit you put in a smoothie, the banana always has the dominant flavor.
[May 22, 2008 7:57 AM]
MorganThe smoothies at the Little Dipper are excellent and very healthy. They even have the nutritional information for the smoothies so you can compare. Maybe you could even eat soup...they make their own soup there. LOVE that place!!
[May 22, 2008 9:05 AM]
Chef Jeff : →http://www.chefjeffonthe.netElderberry’s just off Electric Road has a great selection of smoothies. They are innovative when it comes to their concoctions and they are not over the top expensive. Nice sandwiches and wraps as well. There must be other places in Roanoke for smoothies.
[May 22, 2008 6:49 PM]
CindyI have tried many smoothie places in Roanoke, but Little Dipper downtown has the most consistant and delicious smoothies of them all. They have tons of selections and you can even make up your own blend. You can watch as your smoothie is made; their fruit looks wonderful. Also their wraps, sandwiches and soups are always fantastic. One of my favorite eating places downtown.
[May 22, 2008 11:22 PM]
SallyI love Little Dipper's smoothies. Many selections to choose from. And if you want a great sandwich try their turkey & swiss or homemade chicken salad, tuna salad or pimiento cheese-FANTASTIC! Homemade soups are outstanding too. Great restaurant for downtown Roanoke.
[May 23, 2008 7:37 AM]
MicheleLittle Dipper is the best place in town to get a smoothie. They have so many to choose from, you may have a hard time deciding. They also have the nutritional information for each of their smoothies. The owners and staff are so very friendly. It's not only the best place in town to get a smoothie, their sandwiches and homemade soups are wonderful!!
[May 23, 2008 10:18 AM]
MicheleThe BEST smoothies can be purchased at Little Dipper on the market. Go downtown and take your pick, they are all AWESOME, best in town,
[May 23, 2008 10:42 AM]
Lindsey : →http://blogs.roanoke.com/fridgemagnet/Golly, did the Little Dipper organize a comment-writing campaign? Haha. I did enjoy the smoothie I bought there the other day. It was delicious.
[May 23, 2008 4:26 PM]
JeffGotta agree with all the Little Dipper fans!
[May 23, 2008 4:48 PM]
KylieThe Little Dipper on the Market Downtown is Super Duper Awesomely Awesome!!!! Get the special banana split milkshake! The strawberry banana smoothie is super cool!
[May 24, 2008 12:21 AM]
SallyAs far as I know there are only two smoothie places in Roanoke...Little Dipper and Elderberry's. They both offer good smoothies, but at Little Dipper you get to watch everything that goes into your smoothie. You see the fruit and how great it looks and I don't remember being able to watch my smoothie being made at Elderberrys.
[May 27, 2008 8:59 AM]
NancyI have to say one other comment tells it all - so ditto to this - I have tried many smoothie places in Roanoke, but Little Dipper downtown has the most consistant and delicious smoothies of them all. They have tons of selections and you can even make up your own blend. You can watch as your smoothie is made; their fruit looks wonderful. Also their wraps, sandwiches and soups are always fantastic. One of my favorite eating places downtown ---