Q. Dear Recipe Doctor, my family loves smoothies, and they are getting tired of the usual type with bananas and strawberries. Do you have an idea for a healthful smoothie that will be different?

A. Who doesn't love smoothies? They're cold, creamy and fruity. If there were an official smoothie season, it would be kicking into high gear right about now. And I completely understand wanting to liven things up a bit by not using the usual smoothie suspects, too.

I thought it might be fun to use some of that bottled pomegranate juice that has hit the stores this year, so I made a smoothie with the juice plus frozen cherries, some vanilla soy milk and some light vanilla nonfat frozen yogurt. (Pomegranate juice tastes somewhat like a cross between grape and cranberry juices.) And I never miss an opportunity to work some ground flaxseed into my day, so that's the fifth and final ingredient.

More research needs to be done, but so far the nutritional future looks bright for pomegranate juice. Some lab studies using human cells that line blood vessels and tests on mice suggest pomegranate juice, possibly due to its high antioxidant content, may reduce the effects of stress on human blood vessels. Raw flaxseed, found in health food stores, is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent "bad" cholesterol and plaque build-up; it's a good source of protein and fiber, too.

Be sure all ingredients are well chilled and serve the smoothie right away — as is or over crushed ice, if you like.

POMEGRANATE CHERRY SMOOTHIE