Winter Smoothies

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Okay, I’ll say it:  I am ready for the summer.  I know we have six months to go.  I know that there is a bounty of delicious stews, root vegetables and citrus fruits to be had at the moment, but I still miss strawberries, apricots, cherries and blackberries.  I miss scones with fresh whipped cream and topped with berries.  I miss peach ice cream at my friend Mollye’s house.  I miss snowballs (no fruit there). I miss shorts.  T-shirts.  Flip flops.  Margaritas (okay, that’s about pregnancy).  I miss heat.  Sweating.  Jazz Fest.  Open doors.  Beach trips.  

And smoothies?  I miss blending up fresh fruit with a bit of yoghurt as a great mid-morning snack or afternoon pick-me-up.

I can do lots of things but I can’t rush time.  I get it.  And since I am not a big user of frozen fruits and I do my best to eat produce in-season, even with my desire to blend my way back into shape after the holiday blowout(s) I recognize that I need to find smoothies that work for the season.

 

The background here is that I have always been a big smoothie fan.  I actually remember my first one.  Ready?  1981.  New Orleans.  My mom was such a hippie!  We shopped at Whole Foods before it was WHOLE FOODS and we would go to a little storefront in Mid-City and select our fruits – me, my mom and my sister, Tiffany – and they would throw them all in a blender with ice.  The result was amazing.  It was a drinkable dessert and I was hooked!  From then until now smoothies have been integral to my diet for a healthy breakfast, a low-fat lunch or afternoon cravings.   If I remember correctly they are also outstanding hangover cures.  

When the in-laws headed back to the UK on December 28th, after 12 days of partying (the Brits are animals, I tell you!), I knew one thing above all else:  There was NO way I was waiting for 2014 to start shaping up.  I was going to be whipping up power smoothies, quinoa salads and brothy soups from then until this baby is born (February 7th) and waaaay beyond.    In the spirit of everyone pulling it back a bit for The New Year I decided to take three of my favorite winter smoothies and  measure out the ingredients so I could share the love.

The three recipes below my favorites for the winter.  I rarely feel better in the mornings then when I start with a fresh juice or smoothie.  It keeps my head clear and my body thanks me for laying off the carbs for a change.

A few notes:

You can add a scoop of protein powder to any of these if you are trying to add some extra protein to your diet.  Protein is important if exercising more is at the top of your 2014 resolutions or if you are, say, growing a baby in your belly.    For the chocolate smoothie you can also add a scoop of peanut butter.  It isn’t lo-cal but it will keep you going all day long!

And adjust the ice as you see fit.  I like my summer smoothies very slushy but my winter smoothies not so much so do whatever works for you.

Lastly, more powerful blenders will blend the ice more.  I base my timings on a Blendtec (MY FAV!!) but any blender will do.

This next one is a super energy giver and I have to assume it is the Cacao powder that does it.  Cacao  can be hard to find but don’t substitute cocoa, just keep looking until you find it. Check the health food section of your grocery store.  Also, though I generally use regular milk for smoothies (because that’s what I have in stock for the kiddies), this one just works better with almond milk.  I have tried it many ways but almond milk gets it done.

Lastly you’ll note a few additions at the bottom.  The avocado thing might sound crazy but I swear it’s amazing.

I discovered a very similar smoothie to the following one at Stansted airport in the UK when I arrived once very hungry and very hungover for a flight to Italy (that I missed).  The idea of muesli in a smoothie was foreign to me until that time but I absolutely loved it and have been making variations on it since then.  I add cinnamon, cacao, strawberries, papaya — just depends on the season.  The standards are really just muesli, milk and a ripe banana and you can do what you want after that. 

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