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I am a big fan of dairy-free smoothies. My husband and I usually start our days with:

1 banana
~1 c. frozen mixed berries (Trader Joe's has a good variety of these)
~1/2 c. orange juice
whatever fresh fruit on hand looks good

I just fill up the blender and make sure there's enough liquid for it to be able to blend. Sometimes we add ground flaxseed but you have to go easy as it thickens it up quite a bit. The juices and fruit all vary but the base is a banana and some frozen berries to keep it nice and cool. No ice, no yogurt, just fruit in different forms. And it's plenty sweet from the juice so no added sugar is needed.

I like fresh or frozen strawberries, frozen peaches (if I have them around), fresh or canned pineapple (with some of the juice, again if I have it around), some ice and orange juice. If there's leftover coconut milk I'll add that, too.

The trick is adding enough liquid to keep it blending, but I like it because it's thick without being too creamy, which is perfect for super super hot weather.

Frozen bananas give smoothies a very creamy texture and taste if you don't like having dairy in there! I slice fresh bananas and freeze them on a cookie sheet, then keep em in a ziploc bag. Add those frozen slices instead of ice and/or dairy. Yum.

One of my all-time favorite smoothies is dairy-free and super easy. Break up a small handful of ice cubes in the blender, then add 1 kiwi (slice in half and scoop out the fruit with a spoon), 1 banana, and 1/3 cup orange juice. This makes one serving, and easily adjusts for more. Serve in a clear glass since the smoothie is pale green and has all the little kiwi seeds floating in it--very pretty!

Anne (in Reno) love your smoothy recipe. I shall make it soon. I love that you added flaxseeds in it (ground) they are so rich in omegas. Delish and nutritious :-)

banana, plain soy milk, and about a cup of frozen raspberries (fresh if in season, but i kind of like how the frozen makes it cold). simple and delicious!

We do one of these two a couple of times a week:

A whole mango
Juice and zest of 1 lime
1/2 cup red berries of any kind (straw, razz, black)
1 shot (tbsp or so.) maple syrup
6 ice cubes
1 sprinkle of acidophilous or other probiotic powder

Blend away. A-may-zing. Every time we serve this to overnight guests they ALWAYS ask for the recipe. Or:

1 cup plain soy or lowfat yogurt
1/2 cup frozen red berries
1 banana
1 shot maple syrup

Blend it up! YUM.

I make smoothies year round as quick meals and late snacks. I've been so enthusiastic about trying new kinds that I've made more than I can drink. The solution - popsicle molds. I wouldn't suggest this with anything yogurt based because the dairy get ice crystals in a weird way, but it's fabulous for everything else. They really prevent me from eating ice cream.

Anusha73, thanks so much! You hardly notice the flaxseed and if it makes the smoothie too thick you can always add a bit more juice. I think the key is having something frozen in there so you don't have to add ice - frozen berries are super good for you and an inexpensive way to add a ton of nutrients and flavor when not much is in season (not a problem right now, but in general I mean).

smoothies are my summer-time staple here in hot, hot florida! here's my favorite:

1 cup yogurt (i like low-fat greek strained, lots of protein!)
2 tbsp chunky peanut butter (almond butter is good, too)
1 banana
a touch of chocolate syrup
6-8 ice cubes

blend and enjoy! a great stand-in when you're craving ice cream.