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.

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. 

Tropical Smoothie

Next week, my Husband and I are going on vacation. We will be going to FLA to visit my Mother. She  spends her winters in the Naples area. It is a beautiful place to visit. My Mom is literally on the beach. I am hopeful to see my Sister and her family. She lives on the other coast. It is a great break from everything going on around here. I can sit on the beach and do NOTHING. (right) There are people from our hometown and the surrounding area there to see. The people that are in her building are mostly from the Midwest. Great group of people to hang out with.

This beach is where a large amount of my shells have come from. We like going on morning walks and finding shells. It is also a bit of exercise to start the day. Then my day will consist of sunning, eating, reading, cocktails and telling stories. LOVE IT. In any order.

In order to go on vacation, I really needed a pedicure. My Husband actually caught the hint, and He gave me this for Valentine's Day.

Thank you Tiffany from Divas. You are the bomb. Best Pedicure I have ever had.

I am also starting to clean out my refrigerator to get ready for vacation. There sat a VERY overripe Pineapple and two wrinkly Mango's. I was worried that everything was garbage, but I lucked out. This recipe would have to be adjusted with a sweetener due to the ripeness of your fruit.

This was one of the best tasting smoothies I have ever drank. It was like a tropical vacation in a glass. It is almost like being in FLORIDA. Ok, probably not, but it did taste good.

Tropical Smoothie

Ingredients
2 very ripe mangos
1 very ripe whole pineapple
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
3 cups almond milk
ice

Directions
Set up blender. Remove pit and skin from Mango's and place in blender. Remove top, remove skin and core from the Pineapple and place chunks in blender. Add 1 scoop of  Vanilla Protein powder and add the 3 cups of Almond Milk. Blend.

If  you would like to add ice, be my guest.

Fabulous, the only calories came from the powder and milk. 

Make your own smoothies, forget the mixes. This was easy and tasted amazing.