By Ozoz Sokoh

I came to smoothies when I could not eat.

Not for lack of appetite but for the pain of toothache. Toothache. Heartbreak. Two pains I cannot  fathom or explain.  And now that I’m done with the pain of an impacted wisdom tooth, and can eat again…..I come back to them, still.

My favourite smoothies involve the colour orange, mostly from pawpaw. Papaya. Tropical delight.

I love pawpaw in smoothies. At room temperature, it makes them creamy, and frozen, luscious. So I like to use a combination when I make mine. If possible. And that is Lesson #1.

Lesson #2. It helps to have the fruits diced up and frozen in ziploc bags. Easy to access. Efficient even. This way, one need not toil everyday over a chopping board, knife in hand. And then you don’t need ice.

There are other lessons to learn that need not be numbered – two fruits can make a delightful smoothie. Think about pawpaw and lime skin/ zest or fresh ginger. Strawberries and lemon zest.

Smoothies are a great starting point for sorbets. Yes, sorbets. Fruit-dense, icy delights and all you need is a good blender and fruits & vegetables.

No to mention the goodness, nutrients and life coursing through your veins as you down them.

Some of my favourite combinations are:

• Pawpaw, carrots, passionfruit and ginger
• Pawpaw, pineapple, watermelon
• Pawpaw with lime zest
• Strawberries with lemon zest
• Apple, cucumber and mint
• Carrots, ginger and orange zest

I could go on and on but I’m sure you have your own ideas.

What are they? What are your favourite combinations? Please share.