Introduction We know we need them. We know they prevent a host of modern degenerative diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Although the United States Cancer Institute recommends that you eat five servings of fresh vegetables and three servings of fresh fruit each day, and Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating suggests five to ten servings of fresh fruit and vegetables, research shows that significant numbers of people are not meeting these dietary objectives. One of the easiest ways to eat your fruits and vegetables is to drink them. And every year, more and more people are doing just that: according to the California-based Juice and Smoothie Association, by July 2002 the juice and smoothie business topped $1 billion in sales. Fast and easy to make, smoothies are also becoming the beverage of choice at home, where you can choose the ingredients you use, ensuring their freshness and quality. Children are probably the biggest fans -- and beneficiaries -- of smoothies, which deliver phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals that are so essential for growing bodies. By nine or ten years of age, children are capable of learning the basics of operating a blender safely and cleaning it when they are finished. Teaching them how to make their own satisfying and nutritious drinks will build a healthy habit that will last a lifetime. People at every point in the life cycle, from singles to empty nesters to the elderly, are discovering the simplicity and nutritional benefits of smoothies. Because they are so quick and easy to make and require minimal cleanup, smoothies are ideal to make in small quantities that suit one or two people. They are also a delicious medium in which to take herbal or pharmaceutical medicine and nutritional supplements. Whisking in other healthful ingredients, such as soy protein, ginseng or wheat germ, boosts their already high nutritional value. If your immune system is compromised, or if you are recovering from surgery or a major illness, vegetable smoothies will be of tremendous help. Make them with fresh vegetables and the healing herbs recommended for your health condition (see page 19). All of the vegetable smoothies may be served hot. They are especially beneficial to people who may not be able to take whole meals. It has been said that you don't need a recipe book to make a smoothie. Although that's basically true -- liquid and fresh fruits or vegetables are all it takes to make a blended drink -- there is so much more to smoothies. In addition to a cornucopia of tangy fruit concoctions, this books offers hot smoothies, healing smoothies, vegetable smoothies, cheese smoothies and smoothies made with milk substitutes -- all new and delicious ways to drink to your health. Skoal, Pat Crocker Excerpted from The Smoothies Bible by Pat Crocker All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.