Tropical Green Smoothie

I've come late in the game to the whole green smoothie fad. (I seem to come late to a lot of things: pinterest, avocados, mushrooms, running, school pick-up the list goes on) But at least I have come and I dare say no one would challenge that I've embraced it whole-heartedly, think kale, spinach, flax seed, wheat germ, groats and the like. Better late than never then? And after a dozen misses in the kitchen lately (yummy keepers of meatless meals are hard to come by, man or things that were scrumptious but we ate them instead of photographing them so we'll have to catch them next time around), sprinkled with a couple cookie failures (really?) smoothies and snacks are about the only things we're getting right around here. But as the baby and I gulped this one down, I realized "hey this is actually worth sharing"!

This smoothie is full of sweet tropically goodness and spinach. I used to be afraid of the green and masked it with blueberries and pomegranate juice and still do because that's a tasty combo, but now I also say embrace the green! Let all that healthy, leafy green goodness stare you in the face. So here you go, a kitchen success. Now if I could just gets my hands on a vitamix...

Tropical Green Smoothie

{Lightly adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod-as an aside: I think some coconut in this would be tasty and while I used canned pineapple as it was what I had on hand, fresh pineapple would be even better}

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1 cup pineapple (canned or fresh-if canned may want to add some of the pineapple juice)

1 cup frozen mango

1 banana

2 cups fresh spinach

1/2 cup crushed ice

Not exactly rocket science here-blend up all the non-frozen items till smooth, then add the frozen (mangos and ice) till smooth again. Drink immediately.

Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie {The drink that's saving my bacon right now}

So remember how I mentioned that we're on a mission to be healthier? {AKA Operation: Lose the Donut around my midsection by not eating Donuts?) Ya so that's meant a rigorous (and yes it has felt rigorous to me) crackdown on sugar consumption-and a bunch of other things but those don't really pertain to this post. What does pertain though is the 6 days a week of no sugar (including honey), 1 day a week of blessed sugar. You should see my pinterest account, FULL of amazing baked treats that I'm somehow able to avoid actually baking. Go me! Anyhow, a life without chocolate and treats would be a depressing life indeed. So naturally I had to find a healthy alternative and I really think I have with this one.

It's cocoa powder, bananas, almond milk, and ice with an optional shot of cream and dash of vanilla. It's been a wondrous revelation. Sweetened by the bananas, no sugar needed. (Could even be vegan if you forgo the cream) Now I'm not gonna lie and tell you that it's just as good as a scoop of chocolate ice cream whizzed up in the blender, but you know it's almost as good and some might argue better since it's actually healthy. And you don't feel disgusting after eating it. It's truly saved my bacon these past weeks. Let it save yours too. (or just eat an extra cookie for me ;0)

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup almond milk

1 T cocoa powder

Crushed ice (1/2 a cup or so)

Optional: 1 t vanilla & 1 T whipping cream-not as healthy but really good all the same!

Place everything but ice in blender and process till smooth. Add crushed ice and blend till smooth. Serve immediately.

Note: The above amounts are definite guesstimations. Really I just throw it all in there and taste/observe as I go. And it's easily doubled/tripled. Our family is hooked so we need lots to go around.

Citrus Slush

Who doesn't love a good slush? I know I certainly do love a good slush. I know I also love a good fancy drink and this one is great for any special occasion you may be having. Brunches, wedding receptions, girls nights, baby/bridal showers, New Years, Christmas, every party for the rest of Emily's life. It reminds me of the million and one wedding receptions of my youth. When I tasted it, alongside our Christmas meal this year, I was sad I hadn't been tasting it every year, heck every day of my life, since then. Slush for everyone, every day!

Citrus Slush

{Recipe from the sisters cafe}

1/2 cup sugar

4 cups waters

12 oz frozen orange juice concentrate

6 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate

1 (48oz) can pineapple juice

4 mashed ripe bananas

1 bottle ginger ale

Bring sugar and water to a boil. Cool slightly. Combine cooled sugar water, concentrates, and bananas in blender until smooth. Mix blended concentrates with pineapple juice and freeze until solid. When ready to serve remove from freezer and let thaw a bit. Scrape or break up a bit, can use a potato masher to reach desired consistency. Place a generous amount in each glass and fill with ginger ale. Also can do the punch bowl method, mashed up slush in bowl with all the ginger ale poured over and ladle to serve. So good!

Watermelon Strawberry Slushie

I've made this several times this summer and haven't stopped to take a picture till now. Mostly we're all just in a rush to get it into our mouths. It's warm weather drink perfection and a great way to use up watermelon, particularly watermelon that might be a bit past it's prime. Another possible use would be pouring it into popsicle molds for fruit pops. You're gonna love it!

Watermelon Strawberry Slushie

{Adapted from ourbestbites.com}

2 cups watermelon chunks, a cup fresh and a cup frozen works the best

1 pint's worth frozen strawberries

1/3 cup sugar

juice of one lemon

possible crushed ice

Place fresh watermelon in blender with lemon juice and sugar. Blend till smooth. Add frozen strawberries and frozen watermelon (if using), blend until smooth. Depending on consistency add a bit of water to thin or more frozen strawberries or ice to thicken. Serve immediately.

Pineapple Coconut Smoothie

Aren't smoothies the best? They're great for breakfast or anytime of the day AND they even pass for dessert, at least with my family. Plus they're healthy. Who ever heard of a healthy dessert? Score!

This smoothie is reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite drinks: Pina Colada. And with a touch of cream (optional but a must in my opinion) it's border-line decadent. See? Dessert!

Pineapple Coconut Smoothie

Note: This recipe is all about adjusting to taste. Amounts listed are more suggestions than musts.

3/4 to 1 cup vanilla yogurt (Tip: We buy the big 32 oz. containers so there's always some in the fridge for smoothies or snacks)

1 can (8oz.) crushed pineapple with juice

1 can (6oz.) pineapple juice

1 ripe banana

Small handful (approx.. 1/4 cup) coconut

1-2 cups frozen, sliced peaches

Ice cubes

2 T or so whipping cream

Optional toasted coconut and sweetened whipped cream for garnish

In blender place yogurt, crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, banana, and coconut. Blend until smooth. Add frozen peaches, blend till smooth. Check consistency and add ice cubes if desired. Finish off with generous dash of cream, blend again. Taste and add whatever more you'd like. Garnish and serve immediately.