Strawberry Chia "Daquiri" - Non-Alcoholic Health Smoothie Inspired by Alcoholic Beverage #2

Until recently I had never tried chia seeds. I never even thought of them or even associated them with the terra cotta housewares known as Chia Pets. However, on a whim I bought a pack of chia seeds (or salvia hispanica) not knowing what to do with them, and I found out some interesting things on wikipedia. First of all, the sprouts of these seeds are the namesake of the ever famous Chia Pets. Secondly, these seeds are often put into Mexican beverages for textural purposes, and the result is known as chia fresca. Hey then, I thought -- why not put them in a smoothie. Thus continues the "Non Alcoholic Health Smoothies Inspired By Alcoholic Beverages Series" with the Strawberry Chia "Daquiri".

Strawberry Chia "Daquiri"
The texture and sensation of a strawberry daquiri, but with chia seeds and no alcohol!


Ingredients:

1 pkg. fresh raspberries
1 pkg. fresh strawberries, tops cut off and cut in half (save a few whole strawberries for garnish)
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
1 tbsp. chia seeds
4-6 ice cubes

1. Blend raspberries, strawberries, pomegranate juice, and chia seeds.
2. Pour beverage into glasses.

Non-Alcoholic Health Smoothie Inspired by Alcoholic Beverage #1: "Mojito Smoothie"

In honor of the smoothie season of summer a new Cfook'd feature is beginning! Cfook'd will be featuring "Non-Alcoholic Health Smoothies Inspired by Alcoholic Beverages". Green smoothies are quite popular at the moment, and The New York Times' Martha Rose Shulman has been featuring some awesome smoothie ideas with nuts. Nuts in a smoothie! However, sometimes when one drinks a smoothie one wants to be reminded of their favorite alcoholic beverages without actually drinking their favorite alcoholic beverages. Thus, this new feature is launched. You can choose to douse the "Non-Alcoholic Health Smoothies Inspired by Alcoholic Beverages" in actual alcohol if you desire. However, this may somewhat negate the intended healthiness of the smoothies that Cfook'd will be featuring.


Non-Alcoholic Health Smoothies Inspired by Alcoholic Beverage #1: "Avocado Mojito Smoothie"

Ingredients:
1 avocado
1 cup spinach
2 kiwis
3 mini cucumbers (or 1/2-1 large cucumber)
1 sprig mint
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
1 - 1 1/2 cups water
Optional:
1 tsp. honey
lime slice to garnish
crushed ice to pour smoothie over to enhance Mojito effect. However, this does inhibit drinkability when the ice starts to melt.

1. Slice avocado, cucumber, and kiwi.
2. Put everything in a blender.
3. Gradually add the water and blend until there are no chunks of avocado.
4. Pour over crushed ice and add garnish to optionally enhance the Mojito effect.