Berry-Flaxseed Smoothie

Serves 2 - Serving size: 1 cup

-2 tablespoons of whole flaxseeds

-1/2 cup orange juice

-1/2 cup nonfast vanilla yogurt (I used vanilla bean)

-1 cup mixed berries or blueberries (I used strawberries and blueberries)

-1 small banana, sliced

-1/2 cup ice

Place the flaxseeds in a dry blender, cover and blend until ground into a fine powder. Add the orange juice, yogurt, berries, banana, and ice. Cover and blend until smooth and creamy.

Per Serving: 200 calories, 5 g total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 1 mg cholesterol, 33 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 5 g protein.

Berry Good Protection

Berries are among nature’s richest source of antioxidants. These disease fighters neutralize the effects of molecules know as free radicals that attach and damage healthy cells. People who eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods seem to lower their risk of heat attacks, cancer and various chronic diseases - not to mention wrinkles!

Blueberries are especially rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants that guard against heart disease, cancer and memory loss.

Strawberries are especially rich in vitamin C, which studies suggest may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by as much as 34 percent. They may also lower blood pressure.

Blackberries, Raspberries and other berries contain flavonoids, which help strengthen blood vessle walls (great for preventing hemorrhoids and varicose veins). Studies suggest that eating a diet high in flavonoids may lower the risk of heart disease by up to 65 percent.

Courtesy of www.readersdigest.com/special addition