Anyone who insists healthy eating must be bland and without taste is really missing out on decadent deliciousness. I sway to the other extreme: if I’m not in the mood for something, I won’t eat; if I cannot think of anything I want to eat, I simply don’t eat, even if I am hungry. Honestly, I drive myself insane with this! Ever since middle school I have struggled to make myself eat regularly regardless of my mood or lack of palatal inspiration. It’s discouraging to fail at one of life’s basic survival skills. I used to fantasize about a Jetson-esque future where I could just eat food pills; ensuring I was fulfilling all my daily nutritional and caloric needs instead of throwing my metabolism into starvation mode, storing all I digest – healthy or otherwise – into fat for my survival.

Last summer, I discovered a way to get my nutritional needs despite my stubborn insistence for pleasurably gratifying sustenance: creating blended drinks of yogurt, fruit and other healthy goodies. The basic ingredients are:

One of my favorite fruits to use is blueberries, which are loaded with anti-oxidant benefits and yummy taste. I love the taste of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, but the seeds force me to drink these blends with a straw. Fresh fruit abounds in spring and summer, and apples, oranges and bananas are available fresh year-round. Throughout all seasons, frozen fruits are convenient to have on hand so you don’t have to worry about throwing away uneaten, rotten nutrition. Try zesting some lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, or tangerine rinds in a blend for a kick in flavor.

Now despite my horrible habit of routinely eating only once to twice a day, I’ve always had a long string of energy, both mentally and physically. Additionally, I’ve never needed a lot of sleep. If I get 8 hours, I’m slow and sluggish. Ever since I’ve been blending yogurt fruit drinks to supplement my terrible eating habits, my energy is now frighteningly boundless. This is due to the 10 grams of protein in the Slim Fast® - more than is in most meals – and the 25-or so grams of protein in the whey protein powder and the 5 to 10 grams in the yogurt. That’s like adding fuel to the fire of my already revved rocket engine! Add to that the full range of vitamins and minerals loaded into those three ingredients and all the nutritional benefits from the fruit selections.

In the colder months, I blend fruit and whey protein powder and add this hot green tea with lots of honey and lemon. I then swig down Slim Fasts® if I skip a meal and scarf up yogurt and loads of oatmeal for meals and snacks.

Play around with your blender and see what you can create. Happy blending!

One of my favorite fruits to use is blueberries, which are loaded with anti-oxidant benefits and yummy taste. I love the taste of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, but the seeds force me to drink these blends with a straw. Fresh fruit abounds in spring and summer, and apples, oranges and bananas are available fresh year-round. Throughout all seasons, frozen fruits are convenient to have on hand so you don’t have to worry about throwing away uneaten, rotten nutrition. Try zesting some lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, or tangerine rinds in a blend for a kick in flavor.

Now despite my horrible habit of routinely eating only once to twice a day, I’ve always had a long string of energy, both mentally and physically. Additionally, I’ve never needed a lot of sleep. If I get 8 hours, I’m slow and sluggish. Ever since I’ve been blending yogurt fruit drinks to supplement my terrible eating habits, my energy is now frighteningly boundless. This is due to the 10 grams of protein in the Slim Fast® - more than is in most meals – and the 25-or so grams of protein in the whey protein powder and the 5 to 10 grams in the yogurt. That’s like adding fuel to the fire of my already revved rocket engine! Add to that the full range of vitamins and minerals loaded into those three ingredients and all the nutritional benefits from the fruit selections.

In the colder months, I blend fruit and whey protein powder and add this hot green tea with lots of honey and lemon. I then swig down Slim Fasts® if I skip a meal and scarf up yogurt and loads of oatmeal for meals and snacks.

Play around with your blender and see what you can create. Happy blending!

Explore healthy drinks, treats, snacks and meals that satisfy the culinary hedonist without damaging health or waistlines with a bona fide epicurean. If you have a favorite, or try one of ours, please share it with us at editor@healthandwellnessmagazine.net.