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.

Blueberry Streusel Bars

Do you ever come across a recipe you have not made in forever, and go Holy cow. I need to make this recipe. I have had this recipe since 2008. My Florida sister gave it to me years ago. It came out of the June July 2008 Fine Cooking. And like all their recipes, they are fabulous. I have made these bars a handful of times. These should be made more often.  They are always a hit and taste fantastic.

They are super moist and just melt in your mouth. 

Blueberries are a super fruit. Loaded with tons of anti-oxidants and other goodness

These bars have a few steps. It is not difficult, they actually come together somewhat quickly. if followed, perfection will come your way. People will rave about these bars.

Blueberry Streusel Bars
followed by Finecooking.com

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats
1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg - separated
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
3 cups blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 inch metal baking pan with foil. Either lightly butter or spray foil and sides.

In a large bowl of mixer, combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add in butter and start on low. Blend in completely. Transfer out 2 cups of the crumb mixture to another bowl and set aside. To the remaining mixture, blend in the egg white and then press into the pan to form a level crust. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Meanwhile in another bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest and egg yolk. Let this mixture stand for 5 minutes. It will begin to thicken.

Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the hot crust and then drop spoonfuls of the lemon mixture over the blueberries. Spread gently with a spatula to distribute more evenly. Do not crush the berries. Bake until the lemon mixture begins to form a shiny skin. 7 to 8 minutes.

Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the lemon blueberry layer. Pressing gently with your fingers into small lumps. Bake until the filling is bubbling at the edges and the topping is brown. 25 - 30 minutes.

Let the bars cool in the pan on a rack for about an hour. Carefully lift them out of the pan using the foil. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove foil and cut.
The bars may be stored for a few hours at room temperature, but otherwise should be refrigerated.

Foil just peels away. EASY clean up.

 These bars cut SO nice. They were perfect on a mixed tray. 

My Husband thought they were absolutely fabulous.