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

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.