Super Smoothies:
Recipe #2

Carbohydrates, I’m told, are “the preferred source of energy for working muscles.”

I suspect the writers of these words — the Corpening twins behind Super Smoothies — aren’t talking about croissants or gnocchi, two carb-delivery vehicles preferred by my muscles both at work and at play.

No, the twins are referring to their smoothie, Vita Pack, which I decided to try in late January for no other reason than the ingredients sounded good. 

Those who care about such things will be relieved to know that “this particular blend of yogurt and fruit has a whopping 53 grams of carbohydrates per serving.” It also boasts 238 calories, 6 grams of protein, a bunch of vitamins, saturated fat, something measured in mcgs, and a host of other carefully documented bits and pieces that I’m hoping will leave my nails strong, my mane luxurious, and my morals intact.

To make the Vita Pack, one dumps a cup of blueberry yogurt into a blender with ¾ cup apple juice and punches the button of their choice (I chose Stir). Once those ingredients look properly blended — in this case, a somewhat queasy-looking, runny gray — one adds ¾ cup fresh blueberries (I used frozen) and 1 cup frozen sliced peaches (ditto) and purees/mixes/liquefies until the preferred smoothy consistency appears (I opted for thick).

All that’s left is pouring — actually more of a halting slap-tip-slapping — of the beverage into two glasses and chugging down those carbs.

The results:

I made Vita Pack on a Saturday morning as we prepared to head out to Roxy’s weekly ballet class. We’re usually in a bit of a hazy rush after sleeping in, yet still attempting to eat a healthy breakfast at a leisurely pace.

Along with some eggs and toast for Rox, I presented the smoothies.

And they were … okay.

The blueberry yogurt-apple juice base tasted a bit strange, perhaps because I used overly tangy Greek yogurt rather than something creamier (and sweeter). And the frozen peaches didn’t add much flavor; the dominant note was definitely the blueberries. As a result, this drink, which also doesn’t look like much — a gray, light purplish color — isn’t terribly interesting. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t offering any tastebud excitement either. (I wonder what it would be like with summer-fresh, juicy peaches — and peach juice, instead of the apple.)

Jon drank his serving with a shrug. Roxy sampled hers and then declared that the best smoothies include bananas, strawberries, blueberries, sometimes mango, and a bit of spinach.

This, I — and my muscles — will have to try.