Random Food Fridays - Smoothie Madness

Berry Breakfast Smoothie:

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1 banana, peeled

1 Satsuma Mandarin orange, peeled

1 Kiwi, peeled

1 medium carrot, cut into chunks

Hand full of greens

1 cup frozen Berry mix 

1 tsp. Honey

400 Calories

It has been a while. I thought things would slow down after the holidays, but, not so much. I have been cooking, just not much that is new. Somehow, Winter seems to inspire old favorites rather than intense creativity. I have been cooking and eating well, but simply. My two new favorite things, that I have been eating for almost two weeks straight are smoothies and this soup from Undercover Caterer. These delicious smoothies are brought to you through the magic of Vitamix.

 Smoothie Station

I've been tracking combinations and calories.

I've been thinking about a juicer or mega-blender for a while. I really like juices and often enjoy juices when out and about. I had a pretty poor juicer years ago. I really hated all the waste and that so much fiber was discarded. (I know now that the pulp can be made into crackers or other creative goods.) My friends, Laura and Paula have both a top-of-the-line juicer and a Vitamix. I asked to borrow their Vitamix for a week to see if it would be a worthwhile investment for Mr. Dwayne and myself, and, boy-howdy, is it ever! 

 Pineapple Breakfast Smoothie:

2 Spears fresh pineapple, peeled

1 Satsuma Mandarin orange, peeled

1/2 banana, peeled

1 Kiwi, peeled

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 tsp. Vanilla 

1 tsp. Honey

4 Ice cubes

320 Calories

Mr. Dwayne and I have traded in our regular breakfasts for daily smoothies. Our most repeated smoothie is the Berry Breakfast Smoothie, shown above. It is yummy and chock full of things that are super good for you. I add a handful of greens and some carrots to mine, but Mr. Dwayne is enjoying the fruit without the veg. I can tell a slight difference in the texture, but the taste is the same.

 Yum!

I feel great. Really! I have not given up coffee, but I no longer need coffee to start my day. I have gone from one cup in the AM and one in the PM to just one, mid-day. Unlike many meals, these never make me feel sleepy or weighed-down. Even if it is only my belief making me feel great, I accept. Because many of these are not low in calories, they are not a beverage to have along side a meal, but are a meal in themselves, especially if you include a little protein and fat. 

 Green Fruit and Veg Smoothie begins...

1/2 Avocado, peeled

1/2 banana, peeled

1 Satsuma Mandarin orange, peeled

Hand full of greens

1 Spear fresh pineapple, peeled

1 tsp. Honey

300 Calories

 Green Fruit and Veg Smoothie, completed.

 Good things make good smoothies.

This smoothie is more like a slushy. It is tangy and delicious and joy inducing. This one is a beverage and doesn't have many more calories than a can of soda while packing a giant mountain of nutrient density. Blue berries and lime are a great combination. The addition of my own elderberry syrup is the sweetener and an immune enhancer. The cherry-chia komucha adds protein and probiotics. This is really, really good. If you try one thing on this page, I suggest that this be the one.

Immunity Berry Slushy

1/2 cup Cherry-chia kombucha

2 tbsp. Elderberry Syrup

1/2 cup Blueberries

Juice of 1/2 a lime

1 cup Ice cubes
145 calories

If you have a powerful blender, or a Vitamix, you already know how to do the blending - Start slow, push things down into the blades. When things are chunky, but liquid, turn up the speed and process on high for a minute or two. I usually process a little longer for things with tough seeds, like blackberries. 

You can use fresh or frozen fruit, or a combination. Put the non-frozen and liquid stuff in first, otherwise the frozen stuff freezes your liquid. 

Try to find some big, re-usable straws. 

Wash everything ASAP. You'll thank me in the morning.