Cranberry Oatmeal Smoothie

I got ALL of my fruit servings in ONE drink today. Four fruits in 1 drink. WOW. This smoothie was not a slammer, it was a long drink. It was a meal. I loved it. It was very filling but not heavy. DOES that make any sense???

In February, I am going to focus a bit more on more healthy and lower calorie smoothies. (Not that the Oreo smoothie was not amazing) As January has gone on, I have been shifting gears. I want to focus on cleanse and types of meal replacements. Cleaner eating.

I have also been working on different recipes. I am trying to regularly incorporate sweet potatoes into our diet. They are loaded with so many good things and NOT loaded in calories.(we are not putting butter on them) Just to keep this blog happy, I still have some new cookie and bar recipes. That whole deal has not gone out the window. Just like smoothies, there are tons of cookie recipes for me to sample....

Cranberry Oatmeal Smoothie
slightly adapted from somethewiser.com
Ingredients
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup of Greek yogurt
1 frozen ripe banana
1 apple, cored and quartered
1/2 cup whole cranberries
4 tablespoons rolled oats
4-6 whole pitted dates
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Place all ingredients in a Vitamix or high powered blender in the order listed. Start slowly and increase power until smooth.

I let this smoothie sit overnight, you can drink immediately if you want.

Simple ingredients. 

The dates last a long time and add huge flavor to smoothies

These cranberries were from Christmas. 

There were one or two that were ugly, but they have a long shelf life

This delicious monster was AMAZING.

Forget the Fast Food Calorie Laden Nightmares, make your own.

This drink is not fattening.

Almond Chia Smoothie

As we are coming near the end of the month, Smoothie nation has not let up. I still need to do the green cleanse drink. Plus, there are many other combinations I need to try. I have enjoyed writing again. Being busy, makes me realize what I really miss. Most of these blogs have been light, but whatever. It is January. After a wild and wicked Fall and Christmas season, I am good with January. I have still been busy, but not crazy. 

My cabinets were cleaned out and organized. If you have not opened or used a spice in 10 years, THROW it away. You probably never will. May have seemed wasteful, but I have not used them. I like opening my cabinets and not seeing a bunch of misplaced stuff. 

This Smoothie was also something different. I made Almond Butter cookies last year. (featured on 8-7-13). When I came across this recipe, I knew there was nothing I needed to buy. All materials on hand. I really like Chia seeds. They are SO healthy for you. Loaded with good things. I can from a tapioca family, so chia seeds are perfect. This would be great for a meal replacement or after workout drink. 

Almond Chia Smoothie

adapted from theironyou.com

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup of Almond Milk

1 tablespoon Chia Seeds

1 tablespoon Almond Butter

1 med frozen Banana

1 scoop Vanilla or Plain Protein Powder

Directions

Place Almond Milk and chia seeds in a bowl, stir and let set for 10 minutes.

Pour Almond Milk and Chia seeds in the blender, add remaining ingredients in that order and blend.

ADD ICE if you want

My Chia seeds have been out more this month. 

The milk and chia seeds setting up.

Almond butter is STILL really good. If you are tired of Peanut butter,

give Almond Butter a whirl. It tastes SO good

Look at these gems, ready to go. This is one of my favorites.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Plain today. I wanted a Plain old smoothie. We are experiencing our second Polar Vortex. Does anyone remember a Year and a Half back. The Summer long heat wave. NO one would complain now. We have had a decent amount of snow, but it has been SO freaking cold. Even the people in FLA complain about the weather. This morning it was -13. It was like 30 in Anchorage Alaska. Crazy.

So baking is always allowed these days. Warm up the house. I have been baking cookies up a storm. I have four trays for this week. I believe with all of this cold, people have bailed on there New Years resolutions and quit exercising already. My Husband started his program last week. This past fall and into this year, he has had loads $$ of dental work done. So, consequently, due to not eating, and low snacking, he has only 10 pounds to lose. Which being a guy means he will lose it all in like two weeks. AUGH.....

Yesterday was my Husband's birthday. We had a small family party on Sunday. Chicken Enchiladas... and a Carrot Cake. I tried to make his carrot cake into the shape of a goose. It tasted fabulous, but looked like the Loch Ness monster. Everyone got a good chuckle. The lesson learned, there are still bombs, JUST make sure they taste great.

I made this smoothie for our Lunch. What I learned with this smoothie is that even if you add ice, with no frozen fruit in it, the smoothie will not be super cold. But on a -5 day, that is ok...

All the leafless plants, the snow, the grey skies and the VERY cold temperature

three simple ingredients. 

I went to Sams Club last Saturday. These strawberries were just delicious

My Husband and the youngest son at the birthday party

I was hoping to draw in a curious cat. No such luck.

Apple Peanut Butter Smoothie

If you are thinking, yesterdays smoothie was "THE Best," why is she making something different. Because everyone, I want to be outside the box. Today's smoothie does not have a banana in it. I have made very few smoothies with Peanut Butter, so ... here we go. 

This smoothie is considered a Protein drink, but there is no Protein powder in it. I like that. GO natural. Do your body good. This is an on the go smoothie. Light, but still filling. Great for a mid morning or mid afternoon snack. I really like this drink. This is stuff you would have on hand.

Apple Peanut Butter Smoothie

adapted slightly from fakefoodfree.com

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

8 oz (2 cup packages) unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup of Oatmeal

1 tablespoon Peanut Butter

1/4 teaspoon of Cinnamon

ice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in the blender in this order, Blend until smooth.

Add ice to reach your desired thickness. Drink up and enjoy

Five simple ingredients - to make a delicious smoothie

Working on my photo design skills.  Working it, or just trying

Chocolate Pistachio Smoothie

I had my first bomb. So not cool. I made a smoothie that well basically SUCKED. Almond Milk and Mandarin Oranges. blah... so I added Peach Yogurt. Still not better. Had I hit a road block in Smoothie Nation. Gone off the deep end of the Vitamix  abyss. NO, I rinsed out the appliance (according to the lady at Williams-Sonoma) and started a new one.

I had come across a recipe with all of my favorites. Really ... Mandarin oranges are good, peach yogurt not one of my favorites, WHY did I make it? Because I was trying to be different. This new recipes is really what I should have made to begin with.There is nothing wrong with going outside of the box, just do not compromise and provide lackluster results. Disappointment is inevitable. Trust me, there have been many bombs in my life. It all sounds good in my head.

Let me tell you about this recipe, I believe it is one of the BEST smoothies I have ever tasted. **I almost never say phrases like that.** Thick, creamy, flavorful and filling. And full of goodness. Dates, Nuts, Chia Seeds and Bananas. NO syrup today. All Healthy Goodness.  This is what Smoothie Nation is all about. TOTALLY recommend this recipe.

Two Tall Glasses of Deliciousness. 

Chocolate Pistachio Smoothie

Slightly changed by halfbakedharvest.com

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup almond milk. plus more to thin

2 tablespoons chia seeds

4 whole dates, pitted

1/3 cup roasted and shelled pistachios

3 frozen very ripe bananas

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together the milk and chia seeds. Let this sit for 10-15 minutes

If you have a Vitamix or high powered blender, add the milk and chia seed mixture, dates, pistachios, the frozen bananas, and cocoa powder in that order. Blend for 3-4 minutes. 

If you do not have a high powered blender, PLEASE blend the dates and pistachios first. They should become finely chopped and almost peanut butter like.  Then add the rest of the ingredients and blend for a couple of minutes. Scrap down the sides

If the shake is to think for you, add more milk. Drink away

Mixing together the milk and chia seeds. 

While I was shelling the Pistachios,

I wondered why I would not spend more for a bag of SHELLED Pistachios.

NO one was allowed to snag any, unless they helped.

This was a lot of work for the Vitamix. It ground everything up. 

There was no stirring here. The swizzle stick stayed right in the middle

My Husband proclaim these to be the Best Smoothies.

AND that is why I am posting 

Happy Drinking and let me know what you think

Oatmeal Raisin Smoothie

If you are wondering, my Sweets business is a bit slow in January. WHY do people want to lose weight and not eat cookies and cakes.... Hmmm, wait.... that is me. ECK... I know, I know.... I do have a cupcake job for tonight. NOT complaining. So smoothie nation is still going strong. I bought all the ingredients for the Green Cleanse Smoothie, just have not tackled it yet. Instead, I made a cookie. Well not exactly. I love Cookies and everyone know that, but I am trying to not add to my winter weight. So I made this smoothie with Oatmeal and Raisins in it. WOW, it was so good and filling. I was not hungry for hours. Between the heartiness of the Oatmeal and the delicious sweetness of the raisins, I was satisfied. This is a hundred times better than a Special K Protein shake. Also no bottle to throw away.

Oatmeal Raisin Smoothie
adapted by bestcleanrecipes.com
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup almond milk
1 frozen banana
1 tablespoon of peanut butter
1/3 cup of oatmeal
1/4 cup of raisins
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder

Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender in order and blend until smooth.

This smoothie is loaded with GOODNESS. 

So much better than an over processed, over priced Shake

I was shaking more than the Vitamix

I packaged these up in to-go glasses, and had them they next day.
Excellent, took care of my afternoon craving. 

Black Forest Smoothie

Yesterday, I was trolling through the internet looking for recipes. Why, I did not feel like working and besides I love new and exciting food items. I get so bored with the same old, same old. I could NEVER make the same 7 dinners every week. BORING. Monday night Meatloaf, week after week. yuck.

Dinner was still a bit haphazard, but it was good. Next month, I will post pictures about dinners. BUT since I am on smoothie nation, the smoothie I made was out of this world. Chocolate and Cherries, oh heaven. And four ingredients. Maybe that is why I love making smoothies. Quick, delicious and healthy. Oh course, some are more healthy than others. NO debating that.

Cherries are really good for you. They seem to be a second tier fruit. I am not sure if it is the pit or what, but they are really great tasting.

Black Forest Smoothie
adapted from motherthyme.com
Ingredients
1 cup almond milk
1 5.3 oz cup of black cherry yogurt
1/2 cup frozen cherries
2 squirts of chocolate syrup

Directions
Combine ingredients in blender in the order of recipe. Blend until totally combined.

I added a handful of ice. Totally up to you.

2 full glass smoothies

4 simple ingredients you find in your grocery store. 

If you could not find Black Cherry Yogurt, Vanilla would work. 

The bright red of the cherries mixed with the chocolate syrup. 

Today was a fun glass for the picture. 

We actually drank them out of our regular glasses.

Chocolate Heaven Smoothie

A month long series. OR.... How many of these is she going to make. People, people, people, I am only beginning. I am also finding summer smoothies with melons in them.  I am SO excited for summer. But last night my Husband was craving something sweet. He really wanted ice cream without the fat. Whatever that is.. So, I thought for a moment and away I went.

Chocolate Heaven Smoothie
adapted by ME
Ingredients
1 cup Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
1/2 Vanilla yogurt (I was all out of Greek yogurt)
1/4 cup of grated almonds
1/4 cup of shredded coconut
1 or 2 squirts of chocolate syrup

Directions
Place ingredients in the blender in the order they are listed and BLEND

ADD ICE IF YOU WANT A THICKER CONSISTENCY

5 Simple Ingredients

IF you do not want chocolate, DO NOT add. 

My Husbands loves Chocolate 

If you saw that face that went with the, "why can I not just drink my smoothie"

Very good. 

Smoothie -2

I am on a smoothie mission.  Loving them. My husband actually asked me how many combinations there were. I laughed, gajillions. Zillions, more than I will ever taste. One of my main concerns with smoothies, is that they are healthy. I am working on my annual January weight loss program. I am working it. I have not gone hard line yet, I am just trying to start to lose weight. Not digging how I am looking.

Smoothies are a way to get a sweet craving solved and not load up on unnecessary calories. These two smoothie recipes are different. The first one has Oreos and ricotta cheese, and the second one is with blueberries and pomegranates for energy. A slight sweet craving with protein. Both are very good. If you are taking the smoothie challenge, really just think about what you are putting into your smoothie. If you are loading up on calorie laden products, (syrups, ice cream, cookies, cakes, and others) you will NOT LOSE WEIGHT. Try to be fruit based, (fresh or frozen) Almond or Soy Milk or Skim Milk, and Low fat Yogurt. Also, flax seed is excellent in a smoothie. Use raw nuts. They have several benefits besides flavor. Just use them in moderation.


Skinny Oreo Protein Smoothie
adapted from honeyandfigskitchen.com
Ingredients
8 ounces of Part skim Ricotta Cheese
1 cup skim Milk or Almond Milk
4 Oreo cookies
1 squirt of Agave Nectar

Directions
Add ingredients into your blender in the order listed. BLEND until everything is smooth.

Chill if desired or just drink it.

There is also a shot of Agave Nectar, NOT pictured. (optional)

Can we all say OREOS....  yummy

Have I told everyone how much I love my Vitamix. 

My friend Mary is just AWESOME.

She puts the bling in glamour

Oreo Smoothie. OMG, this was SO good. 

I drank mind immediately, my Husbands chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours. 

Totally took care of a sweet tooth. Similar to a Blizzard without a 1000  more calories

If only I would not taste the Oreos first to make sure they were good.

OK, a truly healthy smoothie. This drink is LOADED with antioxidants and will give you a burst of energy. This smoothie would be great if you had a cold. I have made this one twice. Absolutely loved it. If you drank this before a workout or house cleaning, you would go forever and get everything done..

Blueberry - Pomegranate Smoothie

adapted by ME
Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of Almond Milk

4 ounces of Fresh Pomegranates

1/2 cup of frozen or fresh blueberries

1 squirt of Agave Nectar

4-5 ice cubes

Directions

Place all ingredients in the blender in the listed order. BLEND. 

The Pomegranates have small bits of seed. Blend until you do not hear anything, or

once blended, strain through a sieve. UP to YOU

Drink immediately

If you cannot find the Pom Poms, buy the juice in the Produce aisle. 

It will work also. All the benefits, and not the seeds

This is just an energy boosting treat. 

This is ONE full glass. It was so good.

The color was just amazing.
This will do the BODY GOOD.

Smoothie City

I got a Vitamix for Christmas... I also received many other wonderful Christmas presents, but the Vitamix is the BOMB. I am a smoothie making machine. I have also ground almonds up, and Oreo's also. My Husband had some dental work done, I pureed the Chicken Corn Chowder. A recipe that should be posted, but there were no pictures taken. This machine is an adult play toy.

I also received this mat from my sister for Christmas. It is soft and wonderful. My whole kitchen floor should be this soft. I would float around in a dream.... RIGHT...

This was a great combination. All of my favorites

Ugly Bananas. Frozen solid and perfect for a smoothie

Two large glasses filled to the top. But Just wait until you taste it.

This was a combination of chocolate, almonds and coconut. YUMMY!

Chocolate Almond, Coconut smoothie

all ME

Ingredients

1 6 oz container of Chobani Coconut yogurt

1 1/2 cups Almond Milk (with or with Coconut)

2 or 3 frozen bananas

1/4 cup of Almonds

1/4 cup of Shredded Coconut

2 good squirts of Chocolate Syrup

Directions

Put everything in your blender according to order, and mix until all blended together. Two very full glasses.

Smoothie two

I was not sure about all of these flavors, but I like them all.

This is an awesome combination. Go out on a limb people

 short two servings of unique flavors that I love

This smoothie is also DAIRY Free and PALEO and it tasted delicious, but to much ice

Banana Walnut Date Shake

adapted from meaningfuleats.com

Ingredients

1 cup almond milk

1/2 cup ice -- important

1 frozen banana

1/4 cup walnuts

4 dates

2 tablespoons flax seed meal

Directions

Place all ingredients in there order in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy

There are zillions of smoothie recipes. YOU do not have to have a Vitamix, a Ninja, Nutra Bullet or even a plain old blender will work. Just do not buy prepackaged smoothie. Fruits, Spinach and loads of other combinations solve your beverage wants. Happy drinking.