Technically, smoothie season never comes to an end in my kitchen. Blending up fruits and veggies is pretty much a daily occurrence in the Fleming household ... I just make sure to keep some tea on call for warming me back up on chillier mornings.

Yet, as the days grow longer and warmer, my cravings for smoothies and shakes are amplified. I do have an arsenal of flavors and blends to suit my different moods, as I am sure you have seen from some of my past recipes, and will surely see in recipes to come ... but today I thought I would feature a collection of smoothie recipes from one of my favorite cookbook authors, Levana Kirschenbaum. Levana offered up four very different smoothie recipes ... chocolate, berry, "green," tropical ... seriously, I will be surprised if at least one (if not all) of these recipes doesn't send you straight to the kitchen.

Fire up those blenders and prepare for a summer of sweet smoothies ...

Quartet of Smoothie Recipes from Levana 

RED: Makes 5 cups

1 cup cranberry or pomegranate juice
1 cup dairy-free yogurt or dairy-free milk
2 cups frozen berries, in any combination

Mix all ingredients in the blender a full minute at high speed until smooth and frothy.

GREEN: Makes 5 cups.

1 cup green grapes
1 large pear or green apple, unpeeled, cut in chunks
3 ripe kiwis, peeled
1 cup chunks honeydew melon
1 cup white grape juice or natural apple cider

Mix all ingredients in the blender a full minute at high speed until smooth and frothy.

BROWN: Makes 5 cups.

1/2 cup whole almonds
1 cup pitted dates, packed
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water
1 cup dairy-free yogurt or dairy-free milk
A few ice cubes

Place the almonds, dates, cocoa, and water in the blender. Cover and let the mixture rest, unblended, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the yogurt or milk, and ice, and blend a full minute at high speed until thick and frothy.

TROPICAL: Makes about 6 cups.

2 cups canned unsweetened pineapple chunks, juice and all
1 cup coconut milk
3 cups cubed mango, papaya, or peaches (frozen is best)
1 banana

Mix all ingredients in the blender a full minute at high speed until smooth and frothy.