Super Smoothie

You don't realize how loud the blender is until you have a baby and they look at that strange machine like, "What the heck is that thing and why is it so horribly loud?!"

Little does she know that she has the potential to be even LOUDER than a blender full of ice. And she has proved that fact, too.

Y'all know I've always been a fan of smoothies for breakfast, lunch, snack, really anytime of the day. After having a baby that didn't weigh the 23 pounds that I had somehow gained when I was pregnant, I'm an even bigger fan of smoothies. They're filling, nutritious and simple to throw together quickly and drink while I'm loving on my sweet girl....or changing a diaper, cleaning up spit-up or collapsing on the couch after she goes down for a nap. You get the idea.



This smoothie will not disappoint. Made creamy with a frozen banana, made sweet with mango and almond extract and packed with flax (great for nursing moms!) and fresh spinach!



I adapted this recipe from skinnytaste.com and she mentioned she saw it in a Superfood Smoothie book (see here) that has peaked my interest! I'm always looking for yummy, new smoothie recipes!

Mango Banana Spinach Smoothie

Adapted from SkinnyTaste.com

Makes 1 Smoothie

 

Ingredients:

1/2 frozen banana

1/4 c. frozen (or fresh) mango

1/2 c. fresh spinach

1 tbsp. ground flax seeds

1 small splash (approx. 1 tsp.) almond extract

1 c. milk

1/2 c. ice

 

Blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

 

Enjoy!

Laura

Face Saving Smoothie

I feel as though my job is to inform you of things that will happen to you during your pregnancy that nobody else will.

Such as your face reverting to it's 13 year old, pimply self. No beating around the bush. It's bad. It's not fun. At least I know how to apply make up better now than I did then, I suppose.

It explains why your face breaks out when you hit puberty. It's payback for when you were just a little fetus and you ruined your dear ol' mom's complexion. It really is karma at it's finest.

Anyways, for the past few weeks I've been drinking carrot juice to try and help calm down the ol' face. Sounds nasty, I know, but mixed into a smoothie (what else did you expect around here?) it is quite delicious!

Face Saving Carrot Smoothie

Yield: 1 large smoothie or 2 small

Ingredients:

-1 frozen banana

-5 whole strawberries

-1/4 c. greek yogurt

-1/2-3/4 c. carrot juice (I like Odwalla- look for the large jugs on sale at the grocery store or Sam's/Costco)

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy!

Charlotte might come out looking a little orange...

Laura

PB & J Smoothie

I'm back with another smoothie concoction!

Since it is summertime, smoothies are my go-to lunch again and I couldn't be happier.

I couldn't decide on a PB & J sandwich or a smoothie for lunch the other day so I thought why not combine the two? Minus the bread, of course.

The end result is a creamy, liquid version of your favorite childhood lunch!

PB & J Smoothie

Makes one meal serving or two snack size servings

Blend together until smooth: 

-1 frozen banana
-5 strawberries (whole, including the stem)
-1 very large spoonful of peanut butter
-1/4-1/2. c. of milk, depending on your preference

Enjoy!

Laura



Going Banana Chai

You've heard me rant and rave about smoothies here before, and that isn't changing anytime soon.

My newest smoothie addiction is inspired by this Banana Chai smoothie from Pinterest!

Spicy, creamy and indulgent- it has a trifecta going on here.

via

Banana Chai Smoothie

Serves 1

Adapted from Choosing Raw

Ingredients: 

2 tsp. chai tea mix (I love this variety from Trader Joe's...and Amazon, apparently)

1 1/2 (or 2 small) frozen bananas (remember my frozen banana trick, here?)

2/3 c. milk 

1 tbsp. peanut butter

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Yum!! 

(You can also make your own chai mix but I like the subtle yet spiciness from the premixed teas better. There's my two cents.)

Enjoy!

Laura

Basic Smoothie

Although the pb smoothie is my fav, sometimes I have to watch my peanut butter intake, ya know? Or maybe you don't know...anyways, here is the basic recipe I follow when making my smoothies:

1 cup liquid (milk, any type of juice, water)
1 frozen banana
Scant cup greek yogurt (any flavor)

Optional Add-Ins:
Spinach (Yes, spinach. I promise you can't taste it!)
Flavored Extracts (Coconut is my fav.)

Blend together! Easy enough!

Check out this variation:

1 frozen banana, scant cup honey vanilla yogurt, 1 cup green goodness juice, splash of coconut extract



Nastiest picture ever? Perhaps.



So smooth.

I love how thick the banana and yogurt make the smoothies! We usually have a couple juice options on hand like this Green Goodness, carrot juice, V8 splash, etc. I also buy the individual yogurt cups in various flavors when they are on sale to switch things up a little bit, too!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Breakfast of Champions,
Laura

PB Smoothie

Say hello to my go-to lunch, sometimes breakfast and sometimes a small version for a snack.

It's no secret that I love peanut butter which makes this smoothie one of my favorite treats!

Gather your ingredients.

1 c. milk, 1 frozen banana and one large spoonful peanut butter

(Free words of wisdom: I keep a bag of peeled, halved bananas in the freezer at all times for creamy smoothies!)

Combine all the ingredients in a blender...

...and blend away!

Mmmm creamy and peanut butter-y! Delish.

For an extra special treat, add a spoonful of cocoa powder before mixing for a liquid Reese's flavor!

I really love peanut butter,

Laura