Yes I know smoothies are all the rage and can be found in every café and supermarket in town.

But what actually are they and how can they help us with a healthy lifestyle?

Both smoothies and health shakes are based on the sample principle that whole fruits and vegetables are one of the best ways our bodies get nourishment.  One of the most effective ways to take these fruits and vegetables is to puree then consume in drinks.

As a point of interest the difference between health shakes and smoothies is pretty straight forward.  Smoothies tend to be more fruit based while health shakes major in vegetables.

Off the record they are a great way to consume a fruit or vegetable you might otherwise avoid because of the taste.  Oh yes and you can add vitamin supplements as well.

Nutritionists often tell us eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetable each day is a vital partof any health diet.  Smoothies are a great way achieving this wellness goal.

It is recommended that you make your own smoothies or health shakes.  The reason for this is simple – the fruit and veggies you use at home are most likely to be fresher and therefore more vitamin-packed than the smoothies you might get off the shelf.  Also there would be less change of preservatives and additives.  So maybe a more natural product altogether.

So where to get recipes for great smoothies and health shakes?  I’ve used this site over the last few weeks to great effect.  In fact they are not just smoothies and health shakes but a wide range of different dinks which may be of interest to you from Henry Dimbleby of Leon Restaurant and the UK’s Guardian newspaper http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/henry-dimbleby.

But what would be great if you could share your recipes for smoothies and health shakes.  If you have a favourite recipe please use the comments boxes below to let our readers know more.  If you have a link to a site of recipes please fell to add it.

Thanks very much in advance