Tag: smoothies

Cranberry-Orange Smoothie

With the weather getting warmer here in the south (temps in the mid-70s this week), I am all about smoothies! I love them more when the weather is warmer than when it is cold outside.

My niece Hannah over at Through the Lens shared this recipe for a delicious smoothie. I am heading to the kitchen right now to make it! I always love cranberries, but when matched with oranges, they are absolutely amazing.  Go ahead…give it a try! You know you want to!

Candy Bar Smoothie

I came across a recipe the other day for a milkshake similar to the smoothie recipe that I am going to share here. It is winter and still cold even here in the south, so I don’t care to drink too many milkshakes!  I tried this recipe this morning making it thinner like a smoothie. It was the perfect mid-morning snack since I ate an early breakfast today and  needed something to hold me over until lunch.

1/2 c. low fat cottage cheese (or plain Greek yogurt)

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1 tbsp. sweetener  (Might need more if using Greek yogurt)

3/4 c. almond milk

1 tbsp. cocoa powder

2 tbsp. peanut butter flour

1/2 to 3/4 tsp. caramel flavoring

Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth! Adjust the taste to your liking by adding more peanut flour, cocoa powder, or caramel flavoring.

If you prefer your drink thicker like a milkshake, add about 7-10 ice cubes to the mix and blend well.

“Pumpkin” Smoothie

I really am trying to get more recipes posted here…really, I am!  However, sometimes this little bundle of sweetness just takes over my time! I can’t believe that she is almost 3 weeks old already!

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The other day I did a little searching through my freezer to see what was there that should be used up soon.  I came across a small container of cooked sweet potatoes.  Knowing that sweet potatoes can be used in similar fashion to pumpkins, I decided to make a smoothie.  It was delicious!! If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I just love anything pumpkin or apple or cinnamon during the fall.  Fall just came yesterday and with it came fall-like temperatures, so this smoothie was perfect for me!   I just played around with the amounts, so what I put here are estimates.

1 c. almond milk

3/4 c. mashed sweet potatoes (mine were still partially frozen)

1 heaping tsp. of pumpkin pie spice (I used this.)

1/2 tsp. of sweetener (I used pure cane sugar)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend well. Add a little extra almond milk if it is too thick for you.  Enjoy!

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Green Monsters and Oatmeal Smoothies

I can’t believe it has been over 10 days since I last wrote a post for this blog!  So sorry, everyone!  Summers do tend to keep us all busier than at other times of the year.  Last week, when I probably would have written a post, found me visiting my sister in Alabama.  All my guys were gone for the week, and I found myself totally alone for the first time in over 24 years.  The first day or two really were not so bad…no responsibilities was actually sort of nice!  However, I am a people person, so I made arrangements for the dog and set out on my journey.  Making that 6-hour drive alone when I was in my 20s never bothered me; but now that I am older I realize that I like company when I drive.  Anyway, I had a marvelous time getting to visit with my sister, her two daughters, and her 5 grandbabies.  The men in her life were gone for the week, too!  I stopped to see Barbi  on my way home and had a great few hours with her, too!

Today is a sad day in the Gardner kitchen.  My faithful food processor, which I bought used over 24 years ago, died this morning.  I was in the middle of chopping up ingredients for a 3rd batch of salsa when it refused to turn on.  I switched the plug to a different outlet and made sure I had all the parts on correctly, but it just wouldn’t work.  Saddness.  I had to finish the job by using the mini processor that came with my blender.

 

The other day a friend of mine shared her recipe for Green Monsters and oatmeal smoothies.  I have heard of green monsters before, but didn’t have a recipe for them.  Kate was saying how good they are and how convenient they are to grab and go when in a hurry in the mornings.  I’m not usually in a hurry in the mornings, but love these just for a change from the norm.  They are also great for these hot summer days!

The oatmeal smoothies recipe can be found here:  http://www.theyummylife.com/Oatmeal Smoothies.  I made the Pomegranate Blueberry Smoothie which is just amazing!

Green Monsters:

1-2 tbsp. whole flax seeds

1 frozen banana

1-2 tbsp. peanutbutter

2 big handsful of spinach

1-1/2 c. milk

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth!  Kate uses almond milk instead of cow’s milk and said it tastes great!