by Ellen Horowitz
Pink Promise Smoothie at Planet Smoothie, Multiple Locations
Stay healthy while helping fight breast cancer with the Pink Promise Smoothie, a drink approved by Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s breast health experts. It contains a blend of pomegranate juice, ruby red grapefruit juice, strawberries and Pro-Yo yogurt, which is sweetened with stevia and contains both prebiotics and probiotics. Planet Smoothie will donate fifty cents from each smoothie sold to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with a guaranteed donation of $100,000 in the first year.
NY Egg Cream at Emack & Bolio’s
The Collection at Vanderbilt
2355 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., 596-0010
Despite the name, egg creams contain neither eggs nor cream. Traditionally, they are made with chocolate syrup, seltzer and ice cream. Emack & Bolio’s offeres the old-fashioned favorite in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee and raspberry flavors.
Frozen Strawberry Lemonade at Panera
Multiple Locations
This sweet and tart slushie drink is sure to cool you off on a hot day. Goes great with Panera’s free WiFi.
Shakes and more at Food & Thought
Gateway Shops
2132 Tamiami Trail N.) 213-2222
There is no sugar in the tasty 100 percent organic Vegan Bliss Shakes, which come in coconut, vanilla, chocolate or cherry and are made with frozen coconut cream. But, if you want a more traditional fix, there are also yogurt and ice cream shakes plus fruit smoothies and veggie juices.
Bella Shakes at Yogurbella
Mercato, 9118 Strada Pl., 431-6787
The yogurt at Yogurbella is certified by the National Yogurt Association as carrying live and active cultures and each serving contains calcium, protein and probiotics. Sip some in a Bella Shake, which come in Berry Bella (blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, frozen yogurt), Tropical Bella (strawberry, banana, apple juice, frozen yogurt) or Acai Bella (acai berry, banana, apple juice, frozen yogurt).
Customizable Frappuccinnos at Starbucks Multiple Locations
You want it, you got it: you can now design your very own Frappuccinno using any Starbucks’ ingredients that you want.
COOL BITES
Signature Summer Salad at Crispers
Magnolia Square
5926 Premier Way, 254-8190
This salad’s got it all: fruit, veggies and protein to boot. It contains smoked turkey, mandarin oranges, gorgonzola cheese, apples, strawberries, greens, candied pecans and comes with herb citrus dressing.
Gazpacho at Tony’s Off Third
1300 Third St. S., 262-7999
This refreshing cold soup makes a great appetizer or light meal. Grab some freshly baked bread to go along with it and voila – the perfect summer repast.
Strawberry, Poppyseed & Chicken Salad at Panera, Multiple Locations
Is it a salad or fruit cocktail? This summer offering has chicken, romaine, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, pecans and is served with reduced sugar, fat-free poppyseed dressing.
OLD SCHOOL
Slurpees at 7-11, Multiple Locations
THE supreme summer drink when I was growing up. I was pleasantly surprised to find that slurpees are still available and going strong at our local 7-11s. When I was a kid, there were only two flavors available at a time: one was always fruit, the other was always cola. Oh, how the times have changed. At the last 7-11 I visited in Naples, there were six varieties including a sugar-free, low-calorie Crystal Light flavor.
Fudgie the Whale cake at Carvel
Marquesa Plaza
13020 Livingston Rd., 434-0293
Carvel set the standard for ice cream cakes. My husband swears the secret is the delectable little crunchies nestled between the layers of ice cream. Cover the whole thing with a layer of fudge and you’ve got Fudgie the Whale, a timeless treat that never disappoints.
PERFECT PRODUCE
Take the kids to a local produce market and let them pick out their own fruits and veggies. You may also find freshly prepared favorites such as salsa or guacamole.
American Farms Fresh Produce
3295 Pine Ridge Rd., 821-3939
Oakes Farm Market
2205 Davis Blvd., 732-0144
Ritchey’s Produce/ Temple Citrus
6500 Airport Pulling Rd., 597-0047
