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

Cranberry Smoothie

The diet is in another state...

I try to eat healthy everyday, but with the holidays come chocolate and sugar and butter and salt and and and ... I am still exercising, but I am barely maintaining. It is a huge losing battle. Over sized sweaters are becoming my new friend. They can camouflage anything. 

Since I love fresh cranberries, I decided to make a winter drink. It is a great way to get some protein and the benefits of cranberries. They are loaded with anti-oxidants. I really just love the fresh taste of them. I also made a loaf of cranberry nut bread. Should have posted that. It was just delicious.

The beautiful purple swirls of flavor

Cranberry Smoothie

designed by ME

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

1 tablespoon of Vanilla Protein Powder

1 cup or so grated Cranberries

1 squirt of Agave Nectar

ICE

Directions

Place Almond milk and Protein powder in the high power blender. Mix. Add remaining ingredients and mix until blended. Because my Almond milk was sweetened, I needed less agave nectar. Suite to taste.

Raw goodness

How much easier can this get

This was a full glass of delicious flavors

If you wanted to strain, you could, BUT why..

Green Peachy Cleanse

I am still drinking my green drinks, but I am starting to modify them. Granny Smith apple are a bit out of season and getting very expensive. SO.... move on to summer fruit. I can remember last winter (who could forget a Polar vortex), coming across recipes with summer fruits and melons. They are all my favorites, so let us commence with the summer recipes.

This recipe still has a green apple in it, but today was the last of the apples. It also contains a peach. I made this recipe twice, once with spinach and once without. (Believe it or not, the grocery shopper sometimes forgets her spinach.) Without the spinach, the color was slightly orange. With the spinach, all GREEN.

The peach gave the drink a bit of thickness. Full flavor. All the things I love

I am also working on drinking more Plain Water

Green Peachy Cleanse
adapted by ME
Ingredients

1 cup water
1 piece fresh ginger
1 peach, pitted and sliced
1 handful fresh spinach
1 green apple, cored and sliced
1 squirt Agave Nectar (Optional)

Directions
Place all ingredients in your Vitamix or high powered blender in the order listed. Blend until smooth.

My normal handful of fruits and veggies

My almost full blender. I just love this machine

This was such a good drink. 

The Peach really amp'd up the flavor

Green Orange Cleanse

I know, I know, I know.... I was super busy at Memorial day weekend, and last weekend I was all about no side jobs of any kind. I SO thoroughly enjoyed my weekend. A perfect weekend for hanging with friends and sun and fun. There was no baking at all.... and no writing. This week, I have been suffering from a horrible toothache. An old root canal and crown, got terribly infected. I went to the dentist, three prescriptions later and a referral to an Endodists, (expensive) and some soup and ice cream to solve my other problems, I am feeling better. The infection is draining (gross) and my gum is very sore. My teeth are becoming a huge hassle. I clean them better than anything and yet these problems continue on. Probably going to have to change dentists. SIGH>>>>>>>>

Ok, enough complaining. I do not want to read about it. So, since I am not eating salads this week, I have no lettuce in the house. SO, what to do. I tried just green apple, ginger, lime and avocado. Very good, thick and fun. But, as I stood in my refrigerator with the produce drawer open, I had a thought. ADD some carrots. I love carrots, (hard on my teeth currently) they are sweet and have a natural juice. Maybe I can save my eyes. Doubtful. Oh my goodness. Just delicious. I was wondering why I had not added them sooner. Have we heard that phrase before. Hmmmmmmmm

This drink does have one of those colors, that looks murky.

Green  -- orange -- kind of yellow. 

All I will say.... It was delicious

Green Orange Cleanse

made by ME

Ingredients

1 cup of water

1 green apple, cored

1 lime, juiced

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted remove

2 dates, pits removed

1 piece of fresh ginger

Directions

Add all ingredients in the order listed above into the blender. Blend until very smooth. If you are drinking immediately, add some ice. 

Nothing crazy on the ingredients. 

I store the ginger in a zip lock bag in the frig, 

it stays good for a very long time

Just all rough chops. 

I cut the ends off the carrots. 

For me, it has been hard to find Medjool Dates. 

They taste really good. If you cannot find them, buy regular dates. 

The sweetness amps up this drink like you would not believe

I totally dig the avocado in this drink. Added a creamy layer, 

and just the right amount of thickness. 

I really like this drink. The carrots are fun.

AND fun is what summer is all about. 

Let me know what you think.

Green Cleanse - 9

I have FOUND IT..... I know, I like my green cleanse drinks. I am this freaky creature of habit. But I did something a bit different. THIS is the flavor I have wanted. I may never post another Green Cleanse drink. RIGHT.... until next week.

As we all know, I am a recipe junkie. I hope that someday, when I die, they will pass out my recipes... wait that is what the Internet is for.. I have read lately, that people are saying that Agave Nectar is just sugar. Well, it is and it is not. I am not even going to get into this debate. Crap, I used to use Splenda. I still like some Truvia once in a great while. I cannot bail out on the Agave. We are friends and I have a large bottle to use up first. Using Dates to sweeten and thicken shake and drinks have been part of my repertory for a while. So, I decided to give it a whirl. Why not. I liked everything I was adding to the drink anyway.

A lovely green color with a nice thick foam on top

YUMMY

Green Cleanse - 9 

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup water

1/2 -1 fresh lime, juiced

1-2 cup fresh spinach

1 green apple, cored

4-5 dates

ICE - optional

Directions

Place all ingredients in the blender in the listed order, and blend until smooth 2-3 minutes.

I placed mine in the refrigerator overnight for a good chill, but you could drink immediately.

The Dates are the magical fruit that blow this drink out of the water

I always talk about "in the order listed", better for the blender

Looks fabulous on my table

I revamped my Easter centerpiece

I drank this for my late morning drink. 

Just what I needed. 

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. 

Strawberry Green Cleanse

I love green cleanse drinks. I drink them almost everyday. Definitely Monday - Friday. Weekends are always some kind of crazy for me. And this weekend will not be any different. I think the green thing is cleaning me out, and just giving me a great veggie - fruit kick. I feel full all day. My latest project is, I am making Kombucha. My Saturday morning yoga instructor gave me a starter with a Skoby. I am on my third batch. I have not quite perfected it yet. But, I am getting there. The MAJOR benefit to all of these drinks is, I am drinking more water type products. I feel fuller all day and I am helping my well being. The whole mental clarity thing is not happening, but some things just take longer..........

It is strawberry season around us. Or last week was Mother's day. Some dipped strawberries and and cool strawberry shortcake for customers. So what to do with all the left over strawberries. Let make a new drink.

This lovely tasting drink in a slightly pukey green color.

Strawberry Green Cleanse

designed by ME

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup cut strawberries

2 cups frisse, chou, kale mix (or Spinach)

1 green apple, cored and chopped

1 piece of fresh ginger

1 or 2 squirts of agave nectar

Directions

Place all ingredients in a high power blender in the order listed, blend until smooth. 2 minutes. Add ice if you want and refrigerate for the morning ride.

Just a couple of great ingredients
I like the Frisse, chou, kale mix. I cannot straight kale,
but this will work for me.

A couple of quick cuts and you are ready

Your piece of ginger can vary according to taste.
I LOVE Ginger

Lovely drink of nutritious goodness

No strawberry for decoration

PIna Colada Oatmeal Smoothie

Last night as I was making a Green Cleanse for today, I was thinking about something different for breakfast. If you choose not to blend the crap out of it, it can be an overnight Oatmeal. I made a drink. Even though I make all these drinks, I still like easy. Long drinks are not my style. Taking an hour just to drink your breakfast is not my style.

This smoothie just jumped out at me. Probably because it has been raining all week. We are at unseasonable cold weather. Will it ever get warm. Today is May, I have flowers, but I am not buying anything until is warms up significantly. My Mother is suppose to come home from Florida this weekend. She is just going to go into shock. It will feel like the Artic Circle to her.

Pina Colada Oatmeal Smoothie
slightly from oatgasm.blogspot.com
Ingredients
1/2 cup Almond or Coconut Milk
1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
1/2 cup Pineapple chucks and juice
1/2 cup Oatmeal
1 Banana
1 squirt Agave Nectar
3 tablespoons shredded coconut

Directions
The NIGHT BEFORE, Place milk and chia seeds in high power mixer. Let set for 5 minutes. Mix for a moment. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix on high for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Place in glass or cup and cover. Place in the refrigerator overnight.

** If you want a more oatmeal feel to this, DO NOT place the oatmeal in the blender. Mix the rest of the ingredients, when done, add your oatmeal. Stir until completely mixed in. **

In the morning, you can eat or drink this cold or warm in microwave to desired temperature.

Breakfast at work this morning.

This is an awesome way to start my day

These are all easy ingredients that I have on hand

Sorry, the Chia Seeds did not make the main photo...

I had my milk and pineapple in the Vitamix, waiting for seeds

The seeds are IN. I stirred them in so that they could start to thicken

I should have used a larger to go mug. 

Another story of my life.

 Oatmeal Smoothie, Green Cleanse, Kombucha.

I will post a recipe for my tea. Next week, my second batch will be ready

Including a large cup of Tea, this is the start of my morning.

Have a great day. Tell me what you think of the Oatmeal.

Green Almond Cleanse

Green Almond Cleanse... I went off the tried and true and outside my box. This recipe was just delicious. If I would have had raw almonds, it would have tasted better. You were suppose to soak your almonds overnight in water, used the water and pulverized the almonds. WELL, I was making this last night for today, and I am not at all that organized to make this into a two day drink. I can barely plan my days let along a two day drink. So, I punted and used Almond Milk. It is in the frig and need to be used.

This is a quick recipe, and without a doubt, it can be modified. GO for it people. Live a little

Look at that pretty green color. 

Rich, dark and intense

Green Almond Cleanse

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

1 green apple, cored and chopped

1-2 cups spinach

4-5 dates, pitted

Directions

Add all ingredients into high powered blender, mix until totally smooth. Drink up

Simple ingredients that you would have on hand

Because of the dates, there is NO added sugar

Trying to work on my photo skills. 

I really just need to commit more time. 

Green Cleanse - 8

I am starting to get bored drinking the same green drink everyday. They are always delicious, and clean out of the garbage in my system, but I need to vary....

So today I pulled out a cucumber...(giggle giggle). Back to the drink...
I still have mint and ginger in the frig and they have not been used in awhile. Maybe tomorrow, I can go a little Cuban and live outside of the box. Right.

Why I like green cleanse, besides all of the nutrients and lack of calories, they taste fresh. Some days, with all that is thrown at you and the crappy weather we are still having, it is nice to taste fresh. This drink is quick, one less thing that feels like a task.

LOOK at that INtense Green color. 

Those are Vitamins baby..

Good for you fruits and vegetables

Green Cleanse - 8

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 green apple, cored and chopped

1-2 cups spinach

1 juiced lime, pulp also

1/2 sliced cucumber

1-2 squirts Agave Nectar

1-2 cups Ice

Directions

Place all ingredients in a high powered blender and mix away. MY apple took an extra minute. Use your tamper if needed. Mix until totally blended. 

I do not always picture the Agave Nectar. 

That is the sweetener that I like to add. If you prefer Honey,

be my guest. Some people like to add nothing, that is good also

Like most of my recipes, quick and easy.

Open the refrigerator, take out 

Just some rough cuts to make everything blend better

Water versus a Green cleanse. I will drink the Green cleanse all day

Ready to roll. Got my drink and I am out the door. 

Have a great day

Green Cleanse - 7

If you were wondering, I am still drinking my Green Cleanse drinks. I have not ventured outside my box on these lately. If I like it, I stick with it. OR I am just boring. Whatever. I think they are doing something. There may or may not be a glow, but my skin is clearer. I do not feel bloated. My colon is definitely cleansed....

I also feel that I am adding all these nutrients to my body in a refreshing drink. That is one of the main reasons why I like them. They taste great. I am not saying you have to bail on the Easter candy, but if you work a bit, you can still lead a very healthy life.

This Green Cleanse was not as dark green as normal. With the pear and cucumber, it was lightened up. BUT, it sure did taste delicious. Fruits and Vegetables co-mingling together. Fun and healthy.

I was working on my photo styling. I need so much work and more time.

Pale color of green, but it tasted amazing

Green Cleanse - 7

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 pear, chopped

1 lemon, juiced

1/2 cucumber 

1 sprig mint

1-2 spring mix or spinach

1 cup ice

Directions

Place all ingredients in a mixer, blend until smooth. Drink up.

Nice mix of greens

my sprig of mint

nice shade of pale green

this is just delicious.