Banana Apple Oatmeal Smoothie

*recipe from Vita-mix cookbook (it came with our blender)

preparation: 10 min.- Processing: 30 seconds-
Yield: 2 1/4 cups (540 ml)

1 cup (240 ml) water
1/4 cup (60 g) vanilla yogurt
1/2 banana, pealed
2 tablespoons (20 g)uncooked quick oats
1/2 medium apple, 3 1/2 oz (100 g) seeded, halved
1/4 cup (30 g) dried cranberries
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon


1. place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid 

2. select variable 1.

3. press start and slowly increase speed to high

4. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

    

Note: 2 cups (480 ml) of this smoothie provided 8 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber 
-a satisfying and healthy breakfast option.

If a chilled smoothie is desired, reduce water to 1/4 cup (60 ml) 

and add 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) ice cubes       

Hearty Black Bean Soup

1 cup tomato salsa
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Sour cream

Instructions

1.  Heat the salsa in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Stir in the beans and broth.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer the soup, covered, for 15 minutes.

2.  Let the soup cool slightly, then ladle half of it into a food processor or blender and puree it.  Return pureed soup to the pot.  Stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro and heat the mixture through.  Serve the soup warm, topped with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.  Makes 4 servings.

This is my favorite quick, easy, healthy lunch.  I just put all of the ingredients in my Vita-mix blender, put it on the hot soups setting and we have lunch hot and ready in about 5 minutes!