Tropical Green Smoothie

Even though it's Spring and rain showers are in the forecast today it's okay to start fantasizing about summer and a dream vacation to Anguilla. Sigh. A girl can dream. This is my first time using spinach in a smoothie and I'm surprised that I couldn't even taste it since the fruit masks the flavor.

Spinach is bursting with antioxidants and disease-fighting phytonutrients. The pineapple and mango reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, boost your immune system, improve digestion, and protect your eyesight. These ingredients also add fiber which help keep you full.

This is such a healthy breakfast option and a perfect way to sneak a serving of veggies in first thing in the morning or after my workout like I did this morning... like being on a classy Spring Break. This smoothie is thick, cold, and a refreshing balanced meal.

Little Man entertained a sip but quickly stated his distaste for it. Oh well... more for me!

The best thing about smoothie recipes are how versatile they are and you can make numerous servings and freeze until ready to enjoy. You can substitute or omit any ingredients to suit your taste.

Tropical Green Smoothie

Adapted From: Averie Cooks

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1 ripe banana, frozen is ideal
• 1 cup milk - I used 2%. 
• 1 tsp pure cane sugar
• 1 small container Fage nonfat yogurt
• 1 scoop protein powder - I used Tera's Whey Goat Whey Protein. 

And Action:

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately and freeze extra portions in a freezer safe container for up to 1 month (thaw before serving). 

Peanut Butter Banana Oat Smoothie

Peanut Butter Banana Oat Smoothie

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/8 cup nonfat greek yogurt
• 10 oz nonfat milk
• 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/4 cup oatmeal 
• cinnamon, to taste

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in the blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Living in Texas the weather does not cool off until the end of Octoberish but I'm so ready for Fall. It's the time of the year I can't get enough of the seasonal treats, especially pumpkin and especially pumpkin pie! I also love this time of year because it brings about the best holidays... speaking of which... I need to start decorating for Halloween and on a more exciting note Starbucks welcomes back their seasonal favorites too.

Ordering a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks is saved for special occasions since I can't bring myself to spend $5 on a coffee and with the weather still in the 90s it's hard to justify that price. Starbucks is something I rarely treat myself to so I'm grateful I have a very generous boss who often treats us to Starbucks and I can indulge without the guilt. Of course when I say indulge I mean order a grande nonfat and no whip. Still not the best nutritionally speaking.

Pumpkins are filled with complex carbohydrates, fiber, antioxidants, and Vitamin A.

Whip up this pumpkin pie smoothie and enjoy a guilt free treat for breakfast like I did or a grab and go treat. Tastes like the pumpkin pie filling without the crust. Just a heads up I did not add the 1 tsp cinnamon since I did not have it on hand and it ended up being perfectly spiced from the pumpkin pie spice and ginger. The recipe below produces a thick shake, like I'm talking stick to your ribs thick. I prefer a smoothie that I don't have to work so hard to get through a straw looking like a fish. Next time I'll thin it out by adding more almond milk. The best thing about smoothies is that they can be adapted to suit your tastes.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

PopSugar Fitness

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup pumpkin, canned or freshly cooked
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 3/4 -1 cup almond milk, depending on how thick you like it.
• 1/2 scoop (approximately 2 tsp) vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon, optional
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• pinch of ground ginger

And Action:

Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Secret Recipe Club - Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

A smoothie that is like "dessert in a cup"... I'm sold! and hooked on the blog I was assigned to for this month's Secret Recipe Club. I was assigned to Averie's blog, Love Veggies and Yoga. This was an incredible blog. Love veggies? Check. Love yoga? Check. A healthy living blog and one I am happy to start following.

This smoothie isn't really a "smoothie". It's thick, creamy, and rich. It very well could be a smoothie with more milk added in. I choose not to. I enjoyed this with a large spoon and two very eager taste testers. This was enjoyed by everyone. It is what I consider to be the best part of the pumpkin pie... the filling and whipped cream. It was suggested that this would be perfect served with some graham crackers for dipping. I can't wait to make this again and again.

I think this would even be a great dessert idea for Thanksgiving if you're not the traditional pumpkin pie kinda folks. This dessert is dressed up with a big ol' scoop of whipped cream, drizzled with caramel sauce, and sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. Beautiful presentation and dinner guest worthy.

Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie 

Love Veggies and Yoga

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup frozen pumpkin puree
• 1 medium banana, frozen, cut into chunks
• 1 tbsp maple syrup, or to taste (optional)
• 1 tbsp caramel sauce, or to taste (optional)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar, or to taste (optional)
• 1/8 tsp pinch pumpkin pie spice
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon, or to taste (optional)
• pinch of other seasonings such as nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves, or to taste (optional)
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract, or to taste (optional)
• splash of milk, cream, nut milk, water (optional and only use as needed if you need something to help get the blending process going if your mixture is too thick otherwise)

And Action:

Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend well. Serve immediately. Optional: Garnish with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.

Haven't had your fill of pumpkin yet? Check out what else Averie has:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
• "Pumpkin" Board on Pinterest

Thank you Averie for the great recipe and for letting me have a peak into your kitchen!

Peanut Butter and Yogurt Smoothie

Mr. Sideline Chef has started running again. He's a natural born runner. He can go many months without lacing up his running shoes and after two days he's back to running long distances.

After his run Saturday morning he informed me that he needed new running shoes. Needing to go to the mall was a great excuse for me to pick up a couple of new t-shirts and let him get some new shoes. Compromise. He walked away with a pair of Reebok ZigNanos and I got three t-shirts from Forever 21.

I'm a little jealous of the color scheme since they are black and yellow. Go Steelers! Now I have running shoe envy.

While at the grocery store yesterday he requested a peanut butter smoothie of sorts for after his run for breakfast. In the Flat Belly Diet! Cookbook there was the perfect recipe for just that, a Peanut Butter and Yogurt Smoothie. While he went on his run before work I prepared his lunch (pork loin chop, white rice, and broccoli with a No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie) and then got to preparing his smoothie.

Smoothies are a great breakfast choice. They are quick and easy to prepare. So much flavor all mixed into one tall glass.

The addition of peanut butter in this smoothie makes for one hearty breakfast drink and keeps you full for hours. Next time I think I will up the fiber count by also throwing in some flaxseed or wheat germ. As written, this is one terrific smoothie. Yummy!

Peanut Butter and Yogurt Smoothie

Flat Belly Diet! Cookbook

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup fat free milk
• 1/2 cup fat free plain yogurt - I used Greek style yogurt.
• 2 tbsp creamy natural unsalted peanut butter - I used what we had on hand. Mr. Sideline Chef's favorite, Jif Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter.
• 1/4 very ripe banana
• 1 tbsp honey
• 4 ice cubes - Nothing wrong with more than that.

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:

MUFA: Peanut Butter

Calories: 410

Protein: 19 g

Carbohydrates: 50 g

Fat: 16 g

Saturated Fat: 16 g

Cholesterol: 5 mg

Sodium: 289 mg

Fiber: 3 g



Mango Surprise Smoothie

Avocado blends into this Mango Surprise Smoothie to a silky smooth finish. Mango juice is also loaded with cancer fighting beta-carotene. This is a delicious, refreshing and filling smoothie or perfect snack size when turned into popsicles.

Flowers itty bitty picked out for me for Mother's Day!

Mango Surprise Smoothie

Flat Belly Diet Cookbook

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

•  1/4 cup mango cubes
•  1/4 cup mashed ripe avocado - I cubed the avocado.
• 1/2 cup mango juice
• 1/4 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 6 ice cubes

And Action:

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a tall glass. Garnish with sliced mango or strawberry, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
MUFA: Avocado
Calories: 268
Protein: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 53 g
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 1 mg
Sodium: 84 mg
Fiber: 4 g

Be sure to check out my giveaway for a 12 pack of Element Bars.