Blueberry Muffin Smoothie

Well, it is the last working day in February. WOOT WOOT.. We had more snow on Wednesday and Thursday. It is also only 6 degrees today. Insane. I am wearing out my sweaters. I live in several layers of clothing...

If you were wondering, I still drink smoothies. I still look for smoothie recipes and I still LOVE my Vitamix. The best invention ever. Sometimes, I look back at all my posts from last year, Holy crazy girl. I still eat my overnight oats for breakfast, and eat my spinach salads for lunch. Smoothies are still fun. My Husband and I are on our yearly low carbohydrate diets. He is of course losing tons of weight and me.... pretty much nothing. That is why I did not give up my oats. They are so beneficial to me. He received P90x3 for Christmas. 30 minute workouts. It is condensed, but a power packed workout. I am mixing between P90x3, Piyo and Insanity. (I should really buy stock in Beachbody) I received a rowing machine for Christmas. Rowing is such a total body workout. I really love it. I also go to Crossfit twice a week. My core has leaned up and my muscles have developed more. It is a challenged. Yoga is still on my list. Once or twice a week..

This Blueberry Muffin smoothie is Delicious. My Husband and I were craving something sweet, but did not want to sabotage our hard work. This was so good. Blueberries are a super fruit and everything else is just the icing on the cake

Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
adapted from Jewel grocery store recipes

Ingredients
1 cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup Blueberries, fresh or frozen
2 tablespoons Whole Oats
2 tablespoons Cashew Butter
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
ice

Directions
Add all ingredients into a high power blender and mix for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth. Add ice if you want to. Pour into a glass and drink up...

Just simple ingredients you can have in your pantry

I had forgotten how absolutely fabulous Cashew Butter is.

I did have a spoonful. OMG... sinfully delicious

I was liking the beautiful blue ~~ almost purple color

Tropical Green Smoothie

Happy Friday kids. It is a cold rainy day here. Some places nearby had snow flakes. It does not even feel close to May. Maybe March. It was SO nice last weekend and now it is UGLY. Under the comforter in bed kind of day. But, unfortunately, I have work to do and sides jobs to also work at. One of these days, I swear, I will have a nothing weekend. Nothing to do..... but then, I will find house jobs to do.... I am so lame. A shopping excursion or a beach day....

In the spirit of tropical drinks, I came up with this drink. I was scoping out the frig, looking for something different, and stuff that needed to be eaten. Went through my recipes and come up with a concept. My usual green drinks are light and cleansing. This drink is still a water base drink, (less calories) but it is thick. Fills you up without loading on the calories. Except for the 1/2 of Avocado, which really is not bad, this is a great drink to indulge in. Indulging in healthy drinks, REALLY, it is not like I am eating ice cream. Drink this every day if you want.

Pale green. Can you see how thick and delicious this drink is. 

OK, it is just delicious and yummy.

Tropical Green Smoothie

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup cold water

1/4 cup coconut 

1 frozen banana

4 dates, pitted

1/2 avocado, pitted

1 mango, pitted or 1/2-1 cup frozen 

1 squirt agave nectar

Ice if drinking immediately

Directions

Add water and coconut to your high power blender. Blend until smooth. (OR you can use coconut water) Add remaining ingredients in the order listed and blend for 2-3 minutes. Since my drink was going in the refrigerator overnight, I did not add ice. I would recommend if drinking immediately. 

If you wanted even more of a tropical feel, you could also add some fresh lime. 

This would give this drink a nice spin. None on hand, so maybe next time

Looks just like an avocado. 

Everything was so good in this drink. 

It took me a while to drink this drink. Slightly heavy, but not overwhelming.

SO, according to my phone, it is 40 degrees outside.

This drink is the closest thing to the tropics that I am getting.

I am going to buy some limes for more tropical drinks.

AND Hope for warmer weather. 

Green Cleanse - 5

How many GREEN drinks are there???? And she was Afraid... Good Lord. I am drinking one of these everyday. I truly like how they taste, and the vitamin packed goodness I am ingesting. Not really sure if my face is glowing. With the harsh winter and it only being March, I am quite pale. In a few day, my Husband and I will be heading South to visit my Mom. There will be beach pictures posted. alcoholic beverages consumed, loads of fresh fish and seafood eaten, and not enough green cleanse smoothies drank. I will try, but when you are out of the normal element, things go to crap. 

We will also see my Florida sister. I really look forward to seeing her. It has been awhile. She has also been cleansing and eating better. It will be fun to compare drinks while we are sipping on "cocktails". There is also a song that will be sung also while we are down there..... toes in the water, a$$ in the sand.....

While surfing the internet lately, I have noticed several recipes using oranges. I wanted to try something before we went on Vacation. My Mom always goes to the farmers market and gets fresh oranges every week. She is big into juicing. Awesome source of Vitamin C. This recipe was delicious, but I figure fresh oranges will be the bomb. 

This is a quick easy recipe. I am still liking how fresh ginger tastes. It add that fresh punch to your recipe. 

 Which one is greener? 

There is NO crap or preservatives in this drink, all natural

Green Cleanse 5

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 green apple, cored & chopped

1 orange, peeled, cut up

1- 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach

1 lime, juiced

1 fresh ginger, nail size

ICE

Directions

Place all ingredients in a high power blender in the order listed. Blend for 1-2 minutes until smooth. 

Just a few ingredients. The spinach was busy and did get in the original picture.

There is no fancy chopping. Keep it simple

That darn spinach. Was not ready to be Vitamix.

The greens and orange are coming together. 

A fantastic drink is starting to form

I am really glad I tried this drink with the orange.

Opening more doors people. Moving outside the box.

Carrot Cake Smoothie

For my Husband's birthday in January, I made a fantastic Carrot Cake. It is his absolute favorite. Sadly, his cake tasted fantastic but was not photo worthy. It was supposed to be a goose, but looked like the Loch ness monster. Things are funny sometimes. Embrace the slight bombs and move on from there

When I came across this recipe, I thought ... a delicious dessert for a meal in a glass. PERFECT for us. It is a heavy drink. You cannot slam this one. But, a great source for a meal replacement. And it is not loaded in calories or fat. A great treat that is not bad for you. LOVE it.

I made this smoothie last night. So drinks fall together quickly, this one had prep. It actually gave it time to bring the flavors together. So instead of a bowl of cereal, I had a "drink" this morning. I felt full for hours.

It was not a bright orange color. Kind of blah, but it tasted amazing

Carrot Cake Smoothie

adapted from dishingupdirt.com

Ingredients

2 cups almond milk

1 tablespoon chia seed

2 frozen bananas, peeled

1 cup carrots, slightly cooked & chopped

5 dates, pitted

2 tablespoons almond butter

1 cup oatmeal, old fashioned

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 shake of nutmeg

1 fresh ginger, nail size

1 squirt agave nectar

Directions

Place almond milk and chia seeds in blender to soak. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.

Peel and chop carrots. Place in bowl of water and microwave for 3-5 minutes. Softened. Not overcooked.

Drain water and let carrots cool. Place in blender. Add the rest of the ingredients in the order listed and blend away. 

There are also OPTIONS to add or place on top. 

~~ raisins

~~ coconut

~~ walnuts

This also made two large drinks. Do not let the glasses mislead you. It could be 4 medium drinks.

This is a full list of items. There is some prep work for this smoothie

Let the Chia Seeds soak in the Almond Milk for 5-10 minutes

Microwave the carrots for 3-5 minutes. 

I did these for 4 minutes. Make sure your blender is capable.

Since this was done the night before, I did not let me carrots cool completely. 

I really feel this drink benefits with sitting overnight. The flavors meld together

If I was funner, I would have place a carrot in the glass. 

Working on my photography skills. It is what you think of later on.

Loaded with so much goodness, I could go on and on.

WELCOME to March. Do some yoga and try a new recipe. 

Hopefully the weather will get warmer where you are at.

Green Cleanse - 4

If I was a betting person, you are probably saying to yourself, "how many Green drinks can she make." I went on and on about trying them, and now I drink one everyday. I cannot even begin to figure me out. Definitely obsessive and a creature of habit. I like drinking them. They are fresh and so good for your body.

This green cleanse has a pear in it. Pears are inexpensive right know, so why not. They are one of my favorites. Fruits are a long list of favorites. I still went basic with a green apple, lime, spinach and mint. The pear just added another under tone of flavor.

Green Cleanse - 4 
adapted by ME
Ingredients

1 cup water
1 pear,  cored and cut up
1 green apple, cored and cut up
1 cup spinach
1/2 fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh mint
1- 1 1/2 cups of ICE

Directions

Place all ingredients into a blender in the order listed, blend until smooth. Drink up Buttercup.

There is a lime in this drink. 

I added it after I took the photo. 

This is what happens when you are making drinks before you go to work. 

I am really liking how the tartness of the green apple adds to the flavor

This Pear was perfect. Kind of ugly, but then it is ripe

This smoothie made two drinks. Running late today, but on time tomorrow.

What, who am I kidding, still running late tomorrow...

The intense green on another COLD, Winter day in the Chicagoland area

Chocolate Fabulous Smoothie

I am still working on my green cleanse smoothies. My skin is breaking out, but I feel I am ridding myself of toxins. I have lost two pounds, but that is a combination of many  factors. But the biggest surprise is that I like them. They always taste fresh.

This smoothie was part of a treat at lunch. A clean healthy drink treat. Is there anything wrong with that??? My Husband thought it tasted fantastic. He has totally gotten past the weird colors. They are NO reflection on what the drink will taste like.

If you have never tasted Chia seeds, I recommend them. They are loaded with benefits to healthy eating. They also thicken this smoothie. If you do not want to use Protein powder, that would just fine. Greek yogurt has protein in it. Using the unsweetened chocolate powder, really sent this drink to a new level. That I would not skip. If you did not have strawberries, I would use raspberries. I always seem to have more strawberries on hand.

This was one of my favorite smoothies.

Funny shade of green - brown

Chocolate Fabulous Smoothie

designed by ME

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

1 tablespoon Chia Seeds

1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt

1 scoop Chocolate Protein powder

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

10-15 Strawberries, tops cut off

1 cup fresh Spinach

4-6 Dates, pitted

ICE 

There are a lot of ingredients, but this smoothie tasted AMAZING

Directions

Place Almond Milk in the blender. Add Chia Seeds to Milk. Let sit for 5 minutes. (AT Least) Place the remaining ingredients in the blender in the order listed. Blend until smooth. ADD Ice to make frozen.

This is a load of Strawberries. I wanted to finish my container.
It did give it a more intense flavor. Up to YOU on how many you add

A very full Vitamix. This smoothie made 3 drinks.
Perfect for my Husband the next day

There is Love in drinking healthy smoothies together
The Dates added a natural sweetness to this drink

I always love my bursting bubbles on top. 

This drink was thick, but not heavy.

It was perfect compliment to our salads.

Green Cleanse -3

Hmmm, what to do. When did I run out of green apples and not tell anyone. WAIT, that would be Me..  and I remember nothing unless it is written down. So, I stood with the refrigerator door open, contemplating what to make. Grab the spinach, found a lime and what else. Open the freezer, there was a bag of frozen pineapple I had cut up. I am finding bargain fruits and vegetables and freezing them for a later day. Perfect. Since I am a coconut lover, I wanted something a bit tropical without a bunch of calories.

Look at this drink. 

Green, Clean and Looking like a Shake

Not some watery drink for me.

There are tons of Green Cleanse combinations. I can go on forever. (Hopefully, I will also feature other recipes.) I have made some new cookies and bars for trays. The new recipes have been hits and not totallty healthy....

Green Cleanse - 3

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup Water

1/2 - 1 cup Frozen Pineapple

1-2 cups Fresh Spinach

Juice of 1/2 Lime

1/2 cup shredded Coconut

ICE

Directions

Add all ingredients into a blender in the order listed. Blend until smooth

I was to unsure about this Drink. Try things People. 

Live outside of a box. There is always a bomb once in awhile.

I went out on a limb and made a delicious drink

This made a Very large one drink. Could also be 2 average drinks

Rich, Thick and Smooth. 

Keep it Clean Folks, Keep it Clean

Green Cleanse Mojito

Happy Friday Kids.... Weee hooo. I am ALWAYS glad it is Friday.
I am not going out dancing tonight or staying out until 3:00. Oh good Lord. I would be a waste product tomorrow. I have yoga, and appointment and a lunch date for tomorrow before 12. No hard core partying tonight. Besides, I am lame. I would need two days to heal from one night. It does stink sometimes about getting old.

This has been one of the craziest weather weeks in forever. Started the week out freezing cold, Monday 7-9 inches of snow. Wednesday night into Thursday we had rain, thunder and lightening. Yesterday the fog was like soup. Today, the sun is shining and it is 29..... WHERE is Spring. I am looking for it. I just want to see buds popping through the ground. It has been forever. I have not ran outside since mid December. I do not remember that every happening

So today is my fifth day in a row of green cleanse smoothies. I am not seeing any mental clarity, no weight loss, but I feel I am ridding my body of toxins. This drink is all about Friday. I like this drink because it is bursting with a couple of different flavors. My Husband really thought I should add Rum. Maybe over the weekend.

This was a rocket of bursting flavors popping in your Mouth

Green Cleanse Mojito

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup Water

1 green Apple, cored and cut into pieces

1 small handful of fresh Mint

1/2 Lime juice

1 or 2 squirts Agave Nectar

1 cup Ice

Directions

Put all ingredients in the blender in the order listed above, blend until smooth. Drink or Chill for later.

This is SO easy. I wonder why more people are not drinking these.

This was only 1 Drink.

I always love this intense green color. 

Chocolate Almond Smoothie

This is for my Husband. He is my taste tester. Yet allowed to comment, is not allowed to be critical. HUGE fine line. He usually crosses over, but most of the time he is right. He likes Green Cleanse, but wants more to his drink. He is a meat kind of guy. He is NOT on board with meatless Mondays. Good Lord.... I am working on it. He will eat his coucous and quinoa, but not meatless.

This smoothie is just about him, with a whole lot of Shayla involved. Not high in calories or fat and loaded with nutrients and proteins. It has a simple chocolate taste, with just the right flavors. This is pretty much my Husband. Not to fancy, but everything needs to look good together. I am his complicated fancy.

This was my glass. I had to make sure it was Perfect.

Chocolate Almond Smoothie

adapted by ME 

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

1/2 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder

1 frozen banana, peeled

1/2 Avocado

1/3 - 1/2 raw almonds

ICE

Directions

Place all ingredients in a blender in the order listed above. Blend until smooth. Drink up

I used Chocolate Protein Powder. Vanilla would have worked,

but since I have both. Why Not.

Frozen bananas and Raw Almonds

This reminded me of a Chocolate Milkshake.

Look at the swirls in the glass. 

Tasted Yummy also.

Husband Approved

Spinach Fruit Smoothie

I am almost Green. I know, I know, I really need to conquer this. Have I told anyone that I LOVE my VITAMIX. My friend Mary is just such a wonderful person. LOVE her dearly. She is radiating with love and happiness. And her styling is always spark tacular. That may not be a word, but if you know her, you know that I am correct. Mary is "the Life of the Party" in a great way. One of these days, I am going to give Mary a Vitamix class. She has not used hers yet........

This "Green" Smoothie was just delicious. The large amount of fruit gave it such a wonderful flavor. The spinach added so many vitamins and nutrients and such a lovely color. It was perfect for another cold snowy winter day. One of these days, it will be so nice and I will be forever OUTSIDE.  With all the crappy weather we have had, I have completed loads of Spring cleaning chores. That is a good thing, but just ridiculous way to spend a weekend.

Is that not a BEAUTY Queen.

Spinach Fruit Smoothie

made by ME

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

6 oz greek Yogurt

2 frozen Bananas

5-6 strawberries (can be frozen)

1/2 mango (can be frozen)

1-2 cups fresh Spinach

Directions

Place all ingredients in a high power blender and blend away. You can add ice if you want.

Basic ingredients you find in the Refrigerator

dripping with Delicious Flavors

I was totally digging the bubbles on top.

My own amusement

Pear, Oatmeal, Ginger Smoothie

This smoothie was absolutely delicious. I love Ginger. To me, ginger is like Limes. Bursting with flavor.

As we were struggling with another cold snowy weekend, I was putting away my produce. I can across three very ripe pears. It made me very unhappy. One of my resolutions is to waste less food. I hate throwing away produce. A colossal waste of money. So, as I was loading up my frig, I remember that I have 1 or 2 smoothie recipes with pears in them. FOUND them.

This recipe is delightful. The combination of flavors just blows me away. This recipe made two smoothies and I could have drank both of them. GINGER...... hmmmm. The Husband said it was good...

NOT GREEN. 

NO. but still very good for you. 

Pear, Oatmeal, Ginger Smoothie

slightly adapted from Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

6 oz Greek Yogurt

2 or 3 Pears

1/4 cup Oatmeal

2 grams fresh Ginger (1 small piece)

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 -3/4 ice cubes

Directions

Place all ingredients in a high power blender. Blend until smooth. This may take a minute or two with the oatmeal and ginger.

The Pears were ugly but mostly unbruised. 

I added 2 1/2 pears. The Pears added a great texture to the Smoothie

Soup for Lunch was good with me.

The Pear Smoothie with my Soup was excellent with ME.