On this week’s show, we’re making smoothies--but not just any smoothies. The blended drinks we’re making today are designed to support your family’s gut health and heart health and to deliver benefits like glowing skin, strong muscles, and calming chronic inflammation, which can wreak havoc on your health. Join us as today’s guest explains why delicious smoothies aren’t just a summertime treat.  Frances Largeman-Roth is a registered dietitian, mom of three, avid runner, and author of Smoothies & Juices: 100 Delicious Recipes for Optimal Wellness. (See our Resources section below to learn how you can enter the giveaway for this amazing cookbook.) Frances is the founder of FrancesLargemanRoth.com, where you will find delicious recipes for the whole family and many free healthy eating guides. She’s a cookbook author and contributor to Today.com, Parents, and Parade. She has appeared on TV shows like Good Morning America and the Rachael Ray Show. Frances is a whiz when it comes to making smoothies! On today’s show, we’ll share recipes made with unexpected ingredients like fresh and frozen peaches and oats. We’ll blend up one of my favorite recipes from the book for a Ginger Mango Orange Smoothie. Frances shares inside information about what to stock in your gut-healthy smoothie pantry. You’ll also get the scoop on protein powder and collagen and learn why you may want to add these to your smoothies. It’s time to break out your blenders again and make smoothies!   Show Highlights: The scoop on Frances’ country life after 12 years in Brooklyn as she raises her kids, 11, 9, and 6--and prepares to add a new puppy to the mix Frances’ work for food magazines, writing cookbooks, and her website/newsletter What mealtime looks like in Frances’ busy household Frances’ cookbooks: Feed the Belly (a guide for pregnant moms who want to eat a healthy diet), The Carb Lovers Diet, and Eating in Color (prompted by her picky daughter) Her latest cookbook, Smoothies & Juices, focuses on the nutrients packed into smoothies made with quality ingredients What you need to start your smoothie adventure: a blender, measuring cups, and freezer bags The ideal smoothie for gut health includes prebiotic fiber (good sources are bananas, oats, apples, kiwi, chia seeds, flax seeds, honey, and maple syrup) and probiotics (good sources are kefir and yogurt) Frances’ Gut Health Smoothie is made with kefir, kale, almond butter, banana, and kiwi Why you should add oats to your smoothies for body and texture Other surprising smoothie ingredients include avocado, chia seeds, and flax seeds Try Frances’ Ginger Mango Orange Cream Smoothie that’s made with carrots, ginger, mango, orange carrot juice, and vanilla yogurt Frances’ helpful tips: Add juice to your blender before other ingredients Add baby spinach for iron, fiber, and a mild sweetness Clean your blender by adding two drops of liquid soap and water; blend it and it will clean itself! How smoothies and their powerful nutrients can boost immunity How smoothies can help improve your skin if you add collagen and beta carotene To reduce inflammation: Reduce added sugars, refined carbs, and saturated and trans fats Use grapes, cherries, turmeric, ginger, chia seeds, and blueberries In smoothies, avoid added sugar, but don’t shy away from the natural sugars in fruits and dairy ingredients because they provide energy and added nutrition Should I add protein powder to smoothies? Which ones are best? Check out Frances’ book for all the information you need Frances’ family favorite smoothies: Strawberry Avocado Refresher: strawberries, avocado, frozen banana, lime juice, and ice Banana Avocado Zinger: banana, avocado, baby spinach, coconut water, frozen pineapple chunks, chopped fresh parsley, and lime juice (jalapeno is optional)   Resources: Giveaway: