Monday, March 21

Breakfast Smoothies

I realize I might just be the last person on the face of this earth to try my hand at making smoothies.  If not the last, then probably the second to the last.  I see lots of different blogs that make them and that have them on their menu rotation, my sister makes them, my sister in law makes them, our friends make them--I know they are nothing new.  Yet, I had still never tried it.  I think it's because I thought of them as breakfast thing and the idea of something cold and frosty first thing in the morning did not appeal to me at. all. 

And wouldn't you know it, making smoothies all came about because I am cheap frugal and didn't want these to go to waste. All that effort I put into my first ever round of canning and come to find out I don't really care for canned apricots.  I like them fresh, but canned?  Not so much.  Perhaps I processed them too long (although I don't think I did), but they sure don't hold up as well as a canned peach.  They were pretty mushy.  So there sat about 18 jars of canned apricots and I certainly didn't want them to go to waste.  They were organic after all.  (And in retrospect, maybe that's why the gal at the orchard mentioned that she always froze them or made fruit leather with her apricots....maybe she didn't care for canned ones either. Hmmmm......) 

Anyhow, so I drug out my food processor (I have a blender that is somewhere in the depths of our basement) and attempted my first round of smoothies.  Oh, and boy, are they good!  Peanut was a big fan too.
































Breakfast (or any other time) Smoothies

1 1/2 cups ice cubes
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries (you could use fresh of course, but you may want to add more ice for a more frozen consistency?  I'm not sure....)
1/2 cup canned apricots
2 bananas (peeled of course)
1/3 cup frozen blueberries or blackberries
1/2 cup plain, cream top yogurt
1 Tbsp honey

Since I am using a food processor, I usually add my ice and chop/process that for about a minute, then add my frozen strawberries, and process until those are finely chopped.  Then I add everything else and process until smooth.  If you are using a blender, from what I understand, you can just add it all in there and blend away until smooth.  This makes about three tall glasses~about 30 ounces of smoothie. 

Really, there are no rules when it comes to smoothies.  This is just what has worked for me so far.  I just picked up some frozen organic mangos and peaches on sale and plan to throw those into the rotation.  Plus, as spring and summer get here, I know I will be looking for discounted produce that is a little past it's prime.  Just add lots of fresh/frozen fruit with a little yogurt and ice and some sweetener (if needed) and process/blend away.  Smoothies are pretty much fool proof.

Oh and last but not least...did you make too much?  Pour your leftovers in popsicle molds for a quick and easy snack for the littles.  I got that idea from my sister in law--what a fabulous way to use it all up!


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This recipe is linked to:
 






Alli 'n Son Sweet Tooth Friday
Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday
Blessed With Grace Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Designs By Gollum Foodie Friday
Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Friday Potluck at EKat's Kitchen
Hearth 'n Soul Recipe Swap  

Life As Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap
Miz Helen's Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday 
Paisley Passions Fun With Food Friday 
  

We Are THAT Family's Works For Me Wednesdays 









11 comments:

Miriam said...

Smoothies in the morning are the best! I love all that frsh fruit :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

The Saved Quarter said...

I make them with frozen broccoli or fresh spinach. The strong flavors of fruit overpower the veggies and you can't taste it at all, but you get all the health benefits. We call them green monsters at our house and the kids love them. :)

I also add rolled oats, grind them up first, then add yogurt, a dollop of flax oil, and lots of fruit for a well rounded, filling breakfast.

Emily T. Thomas said...

you lucky dog - to get apricot in your smoothie!! jealous :)
if you tire of smoothies, I'm sure you could still make fruit leather with those canned apricots...or you could send some my way.
Blessings!
LIB
http://bit.ly/fkxJbz

Heather S-G said...

Smoothies are an old standby in this house...and now I'm craving one, it looks so good. We never have any left to pour into popsicle molds, but I do occasionally make an extra blender-full just for that purpose ;) !

April @ The 21st Century Housewife said...

Your smoothies sound wonderful and look delicious too! I often use frozen fruit in smoothies, but I never thought to use canned. I have no idea why, and I sure am glad you wrote about it because it would be lovely! Thank you for sharing your recipe.

a moderate life said...

Hi Jackie, you are so cute! I am laughing at the apricot issue. Seriously, I make green smoothies every week, well twice a week and keep a bunch in a big canning jar in the fridge and into it goes every veggie or fruit that doesn't look beautiful! Sometimes it is green other times it is purple, but every time it is good! Using the food processor probably approximates my Vitamix. Using a regular blender they dont come out as well. Glad you tried it and liked it! Thanks for sharing on the hearth and soul hop! All the best, Alex

Miz Helen said...

Hi Jackie,
Oh girl...you got me. I had to stop my comment and go make a smoothie. I didn't have the apricot but I had everything else. It was so good! Your photo and recipe are awesome. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and please come back!

Allison @ Alli 'n Son said...

I love smoothies, especially in the summer. This sounds like a wonderful way to start the day.

I'd like to invite you to share this recipe on my linky, Sweet Tooth Friday. I hope to see you there. http://alli-n-son.com/2011/03/24/chocolate-donuts/

Kathy Walker said...

I love smoothies!

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

I thought that I was the last smoothie maker in history! We just started a few weeks making smoothies. They kids love them! I just bought some ground flax seed to add to them and I want to get some protein powder. The apricot sounds awesome, we haven't tried that. We added some kiwi last time and that was really good.

Miz Helen said...

Congratulations Jackie,
You are featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. You are welcome to stop by and pick up your Red Plate. Enjoy!

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