Tropic Freeze

Right now Chicago feels like Spring will never come! And I keep thinking that a short while ago I was getting sunburned and having fresh fruit smoothies every day at a little stand called ' Kadushi'.

As I watched them churn out smoothie after smoothie in their Vitamix, I started memorizing the basics.  The following recipe is just one of hundreds of variations--use frozen fruits (as demo-ed in previous blogs) for creating a Tropic Freeze. 

If you are hitting the gym, add in your favorite protein powder. If you want "rich and silky", add 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt.

Equipment:

Nutri-Bullet, or heavy-duty blender

Ingredients:

1/2 banana

4-5 strawberries

1/2 ripe mango

4-5 chunks pineapple

1/2 cup o.j.

1/3 cup water

Handful ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands. 

2. Prep the fruit or just pull it out of the freezer. 

3. Combine everything in blender cup. 

4. Pulse x 30 secs until smooth. 

5. Enjoy the sun!!

Berry Smoothie

Always looking for nutritious snacks that only need a few steps, and this is just one of those recipes!  You can make this ultra-healthy or ultra-decadent.  Use Greek Yoghurt 0%, natural sweeteners like juice, and fresh fruit; or, use Vanilla Greek Yoghurt and add a 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream for a dessert-like version--you choose.

I am featuring a compromise of the two option.  Check it out!

Equipment:

Blender, ie Magic Bullet / Nutri-Bullet / Ninja Blender / Waring 

(Nutri-Bullet is highly recommended for its' versatility & easy clean-up.

Measuring Cups

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Greek Yoghurt (0%, 2%, Vanilla, Fruit-flavors)

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup pomegranate / cranberry juice

1/4 cup water

1/3 cup frozen blueberries

1/3 cup frozen raspberries or blackberries

1/2 cup frozen strawberries (approx 5 strawberries)

1/3 frozen banana, (approx 4-5 1/4" slices)

2 tsp honey or agave syrup 

Instructions:

1. Begin filling the blender cup with yoghurt, juices, water.

2. Add your frozen fruits and sweetener.

3. If you want the decadence, add the whipping cream in place of water.

St Patty Cure

What A Gorgeous Color.

St Patty's Day is really just like any other Thursday night in college. Or Friday night. Or Saturday. But you need 'the morning after' nourishment, right?

Monday morning eventually arrives in full swing. So, you might as well be prepared!

Aside from being trendy right now, smoothies really are a great meal substitute if the ingredients are good-for-you. The recipe below can be used for any on-the-go breakfast, pre- or post-workout routine, snack or however you see fit.

Head over to any health or kitchen store and buy yourself a mini-protein shake blender: single serving, easy to clean and requires minimal shelf space. Try the recipe below. Experiment. Possibilities are endless. Other recipes will follow.

Tip:
If you like smoothies, bulk up on seasonal fruits by pre-cutting and storing them in zip-lock baggies in the freezer!


St. Patty's Green Smoothie Cure
(Modified from 'What's Gaby Cooking' blog recipe 'Green Machine Smoothie')

Equipment:
Magic Bullet or equivalent blender
Blender cups
Electric Socket
Electric bill 'PAID'

Ingredients:
1/2 banana or blueberries, frozen
1/4 frozen mango, chopped
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 apple, chopped
1 c fresh spinach, washed
1/3 cup Greek yoghurt, plain or flavored
2/3 cup ice water
2-3 ice cubes

Instructions:
Pack all the ingredients into blender cup. And blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Optional:
Scoop of Vanilla Whey Protein Powder, if you are seriously being healthy or working out and want a little more "umph"

Happy St Patrick's Day!
Be Safe!

Love vegetables? Cooking? Being different?

These Rickshaw Bags say it all

Tomatoes Rock