Strawberry Cinnamon Smoothie

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Happy Labor's Day!  I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday. Here's a quick and easy recipe I wanted to share with you today.  


You may not know that I love a good farmer's market and now I'm fortunate that we have one that sets up every Wednesday in our work complex.  It's heaven to be able to go to the farmer's market during the week!  There is one particular stand that sells the best organic fruit and vegetables.  I was in heaven looking at all the food, and walked away with much more items that I should have.

One treat was their strawberries!  Plump, juicy, deep red strawberries that promised to be sweet and luscious!  I couldn't wait to get these home and make a smoothie with them.  Smoothies fall in the "fast and fresh" category and are simple, quick and absolutely delishhh!

So a strawberry smoothie is very tasty but also quite ordinary.  So let's amp this baby up a bit and make a Strawberry Cinnamon Smoothie!  Have you every had cinnamon and strawberry?  Well, you are about to venture on a wonderful sweet and earthy journey with your taste buds.  This combination hits you with the sweet flavor of the berries and then on the way down you get that kick of heat and spice from the cinnamon.  HEAVEN!

What a great combination for a smoothie plus the health benefits that you get from both strawberries and cinnamon.  It's a win win in our house!  Let it be one in yours too by trying this right away.  There are still plenty of strawberries around so get them while they are still ripe and try this drink today!

Enjoy!





Strawberry Cinnamon Smoothie

serves 2

1 6 oz lite vanilla yogurt
1/2 pint of strawberries, hulled
1/2 frozen banana
1/4 cup lowfat milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until all incorporated and ice has crushed.

Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.

Tropical Sunset Smoothie

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Last year for our anniversary we took a wonderful trip to Hawaii.  I'm a beach lover at heart and love all the wonderful things that Hawaii has to offer such as tropical weather, hiking, flowers, beaches, and food.

More specifically I love all the tropical flavors you can get there but one of my all time favorite fruits is the pineapple.

Since it's a hot, hot summer and I'm missing Hawaii I thought I would make a Tropical Sunset Smoothie to bring me back.  We had a smoothie bar in our resort and we loved to stop by there and grab a smoothie made with fresh fruit and sipping on it while watching the waves crash on the lava rocks.  

This is my ode to Hawaii, made with juicy sweet pineapple, and plump strawberries which give it that sunset feel.  This Tropical Sunset Smoothie completely reminds me of Hawaii.  I can feel the trade winds blowing and total relaxation is not far away!

Smoothies are simple to make.  All you need is a blender, (I use this one) fresh fruit, yogurt, and some ice.  Poof!  Take yourself virtually to the tropics with my Tropical Sunset Smoothie.  It's a perfectly refreshing drink made for hot summers.

Enjoy!

Tropical Sunset Smoothie

serves 2


1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup pineapple chunks
6 whole strawberries
6 oz light vanilla yogurt
1/3 cup pineapple juice
1 cup ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth.  Pour into glasses and serve with a straw.

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10 BEST Smoothies

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10 Seriously easy and mouthwatering smoothies that will keep you cool all summer long!

1.  Banana Cream Pie Smoothie - Tastes just like the Banana Cream Pie your momma made, with the same comfort feeling! {GET THE RECIPE}

2.  Cherry Berry Smoothie - A tart and creamy smoothie that mixes in-season cherries and berries for one outstanding and healthy drink.  {GET THE RECIPE}

3.  Peach Cobbler Smoothie - Light and creamy this drink is a taste of the South!  {GET THE RECIPE}

4.  Black and Blue Smoothie - A double delight with not one but two berries that will provide your with antioxidants and fill your tummy.  A great breakfast treat!  {GET THE RECIPE}

5.  Vanilla Kiwi Smoothie - A cool and light smoothie made with luscious kiwis and warming vanilla.  {GET THE RECIPE}

6.  Avila Orange Smoothie - Oh this is one of my favorite breakfast treats.  Made with Avila farms honey (use your favorite) and oranges.  AWESOME!  {GET THE RECIPE}

7.  Strawberry Banana Smoothie - Traditional flavors that are outstanding together and kids love them!  {GET THE RECIPE}

8.  Strawberry Pear Smoothie - Fresh pears blended with strawberries make for a light and bright drink that will keep you cool and delight your senses!  {GET THE RECIPE}

9.  Pineapple Mango Chia Smoothie - Tropical flavors of pineapples and mango blended with chia for a wonderfully healthy smoothie that will make you feel like your vacationing on a beach!  {GET THE RECIPE}

10.  Blackberry Pomegranate Smoothie - Sweet and tart go well together in this outrageously good smoothie.  Filling and quenching all in one treat!  {GET THE RECIPE}

Banana Cream Pie Smoothie

OH! Its summer time around here, and that means smoothie time!

I am a smoothie girl to the max! I can't think of a better drink other than iced tea that I love more because of all the fresh fruits and different flavors that you can concoct in a smoothie.

I seem to always have bananas laying around. I love bananas.  I buy them every week and never seem to eat as many bananas as my eyes tell me I can! Therefore I have that "getting ripe" bananas sitting on the counter staring at me.  I actually don't like rip bananas (I like them a little green!) so this is a dilemma for me.  The only thing good about this is that you can make banana bread, banana muffins, and banana smoothies!

This smoothie came from my love of cream pies. I love love love chocolate meringue pie and banana cream pie. There were two of my favorites desserts growing up. Mom was a cream pie expert and I got my love of pies from her. Since I can't make a cream pie right now I thought I would take the flavors of a banana cream pie and put it into a smoothie. Genius!

This smoothie is decadent and creamy and has all the flavors of a cream pie. I even rimmed the glass with crushed graham crackers to give it that extra little something. This one's a winner and it's easy to make. I'm sure you're going to love it!

Enjoy!

Banana Cream Pie Smoothie

serves 2

1 large banana (ripe!)
1 c low fat yogurt, plain or vanilla
1/2 c 2% milk
2 tablespoons of crushed graham crackers (about 1/2 cookie sheet)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (if not using vanilla flavored yogurt)
1 cup of ice cubes
graham cracker crumbs (optional)

Place all ingredients from the banana to the ice cubes in a blender.  Blend until ice is crushed and drink is thick and smooth.  Pour into 2 glasses and sprinkle with graham crackers if desired.  (or dip your glass rims in water and in the graham cracker crumbs for a nice touch)  Serve with a straw.

adapted from Cooking Light

Strawberry Pear Smoothie

 

By now you probably know that I love my smoothies!  

It's something that I look at as a healthy indulgence.  Reminds me of the milkshakes I dearly loved growing up.  But who can have those all the time?  Not this girl!  So my wonderful thick and creamy fruit smoothies are the best alternative.

Typically a quick breakfast for me, but I also been know to have one on a hot afternoon.  The weather is changing and we are getting the dreaded "Santa Ana" winds around here.  They create havoc with my allergies, but they are a sure sign that fall is on the way.  

With that come different seasonal fruits.  Apples and pears are bountiful in the stores right now and I try to create my smoothies with in-season fruits.  So I grabbed some pears, and some frozen strawberries that I saved from the ripe summer crops and whipped my latest smoothie creation.  The pears lend a light sweet flavor that are perfect next to the superfruit strawberries.  Oh yum!  

Full of vitamins and antioxidants....and just plain delicious!  You have to try this one, you'll love it!

Here are some other wonderful smoothie flavors to try as well.
Peach Cobbler Smoothie

 

 

 

  

Tropical Smoothie

 

Pineapple Mango Chia Smoothie 

 

 

 

Strawberry Pear Smoothie

1 6 oz container vanilla lite yogurt

½  medium banana

½ c strawberries (fresh or frozen)

1 pear peeled and chopped

¼ c milk

½ c ice cubes

Directions

Combine ingredients in a blender and mix until combined.  Serve in a tall glass and enjoy!

 

 

 

Black and Blue Smoothie

I'm running out the door...life just got a little more busy.

Things have ramped up quite a bit lately.  Getting ready for a big move to a new house, planning a wedding, flying here and there on business.  You get the idea. 

Which is one reason I'm bringing you this quick breakfast smoothie today.  I'm ready to leave for a day full of activities and don't have time (again) for breakfast.  I miss my weekend breakfasts, let me tell you!

Another reason to share this smoothie is that I LOVE smoothies!  Summer is here and fruit is abundant. Yea! So bring on the smoothies.  

This one sounds like a bruiser...but it's really all about the fruit.  Blackberries and blueberries to be exact!  Love, love, love the combination.  I'm sure I don't need to tell you that they are packed with vitamins, or that smoothies are very filling and a good substitution for breakfast...or a snack.  Make them for the whole family, they will love you for it!

Black and Blue Smoothie

1 6 oz container vanilla lite yogurt

½  medium banana

½ c blueberries (fresh or frozen)

½ c blackberries (fresh or frozen)

¼ c milk

½ c ice cubes

Directions

Combine ingredients in a blender and mix until combined.  Serve in a tall glass and enjoy!

Pineapple Mango Chia Smoothie

It's smoothie time!

Winter is still a good time to have a smoothie, especially for breakfast.  What a great way to fill up with wonderful juices and fruit.

I know I've posted many, many smoothies before, but as part of my Eat Well 2013 motto, adding juices to your diet is good for you.  Fresh, natural fruit and vegetable juices can improve nutrition and help with weight maintenance.  They are wonderful to drink with and great to cook with as well.   I saw a great book the other day that gave me inspiration to make this drink.  It has some great recipes to incorporate juices into your diet.  

Juicy Drinks

So here's to the second healthy smoothie for 2013.

Two great flavors make up this smoothie.  Pineapple and mango gives it that tropical feel.  A great combination that will leave you wanting more. 

What's new about this?  The chia seeds. They are mottle-colored seeds with brown, gray, black and white.  They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high in fiber which is very good for your health.  Chia seeds can be added to foods as a topping or put into smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt without altering the taste.  They also help you feel full faster, and are easier to digest than flax seed.  Good stuff!  You can find them in the bulk item section of Whole Foods or other stores such as Sprouts.  Try them, you will never know they are there, but will reap the benefits.

Enjoy!

Pineapple Mango and Chia Smoothie

1-2 servings

1/2 mango, cut in chunks
1 small container of Dole pineapple tidbits in juice
1 6 oz container of lite vanilla yogurt
1/4 c milk
1/2 banana
1 tsp chia seeds
1 cup of ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender.  Blend on high until smooth.  Serve.

Blackberry Pomegranate Smoothie

Oh how I miss my smoothies. 

I haven't had a decent one since late summer.  It's about time for one don't you think?  So off to the market I went in search of some fresh fruit that I could use.  Craving berries I found some fresh blackberries and proceeded to the check out pronto.  I was going to make a Blackberry Pomegranate Smoothie.

I often keep some Pomegranate juice in the frig and this would be a great substitution for the milk.  The rest is pretty much the same.  I typically follow the same formula in my smoothies.  Since I like them creamy I add yogurt and bananas, and ice to give it that frozen feel.  Yum!

Try this, you'll love the flavors.  Plus it's healthy for you and a great breakfast item, or for a snack.  It's the new year, time to start some new healthy habits, and juices and smoothies fit right in.

Blackberry Pomegranate Smoothie

Serves 2

1 container of lite vanilla yogurt
1 small or 1/2 of a medium banana
1/3 c. pomegranate juice
8-10 blackberries
1 cup of ice cubes

Put all ingredients in order of recipe in the blender.  Turn on and whirl until all fruit is blended and ice is crushed.  Serve!

Peach Cobbler Smoothie

I'm dying for peach cobbler...

But I don't have time to make it.  My work schedule is keeping from this wonderful dessert.  I have such a craving for it...what to do?

Let's make a smoothie!

My Peach Cobbler Smoothie will take care of my cravings right away!  Plus it is quicker to make!

I made this smoothie and took to work with me in one of my favorite travel containers.  I think I've showed they containers before.  They are actually glasses, called "working glasses".  Perfect for everyday drinkware and the best part is they come with a lid that allows you to take them with you, filled with your favorite drink, or pasta salad, fruit, potato salad, or even a dessert.  What ever you can imagine!  I know I get excited about these container, but they truly are handy.

Back to the smoothie.  This smoothie has all the flavors of peach cobbler, so I'm sure if you love the dessert you will love my smoothie.  It even has a secret ingredient...I'm not telling what it is...oh, okay you can find out by reading the recipe.  It just puts it over the edge a bit and given it that cobbler taste!

Give it a whirl in your blender, it's fast and easy to make.  A great treat for you kids as well.  The best part is since it's summer, peaches are delishhh right now!   So use some fresh peaches, and leave the skin on so you get some extra fiber and nutrients!  It's good for you.  (If you can't find fresh peaches, frozen will work just as well.)

Enjoy some summer peach cobbler in a smoothie!

Peach Cobbler Smoothie

Serves 2

1 6 oz container lite vanilla yogurt

½ banana

¼ t cinnamon

1 peach, cut into chunks

¼ c milk

5 vanilla wafers

1 c ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth.  Pour in 2 glasses and serve.

Shared with:  Weekend Potluck

Cherry Berry Smoothie

You know how I love my summer fruit right?

Well I just got back from Sprouts, which is a store with a farmer's market concept.  The primary items are fruits and vegetables.  They also have a great bulk item section, and many organic foods, if you like that too.  I go for the great selection of fruits and veggies at such great, great low prices!  Make sure to try them out if you have one in your area.  Definitely worth going!


So I bought a car load of fruits.  I'm always doing that.  It's my weakness and I can't help it!  So I have to eat a LOT of fruit every day so it doesn't spoil.  This week I bought grapes, cherries, apples, watermelon, cantaloupe, plums, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.  See what I mean???


I really can't help myself....


So I woke up and decided to make one of my favorite drinks...a smoothie!  I've posted many many smoothies recipes before, but I think I might just say this is one of the best, if not THE BEST.  I'm torn...


This is a Cherry Berry Smoothie.  I started off with adding some berries, (blue and black) and then came the cherries, and I threw in some green grapes just for good measure!  Oh,  I got to use my handy cherry pitter...love that gadget!  It just pops the pits out! Simple!!  What is your favorite gadget??


Back to the smoothie.  It's sweet all on it's own so sugar or nectar isn't necessary.  And I forgot the banana, but it was loaded with fruit it came out thick and creamy anyway!  So try this. You'll see, it delishhhhh!


Just look at this color...purple is my favorite...who wouldn't love this!

Cherry Berry Smoothie

Serves 1

1 10oz container of lite vanilla yogurt

8 blackberries

10 blueberries

7 pitted cherries

5 green grapes

¼ c 2% milk

1 cup of ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender in order listed and then blend until smooth and ice is crushed.