Blueberry Basil Smoothie

So, I am currently teaching a very content laden course in just 5 weeks. This course is usually taught on a normal 15 week schedule and can be overwhelming even then. I understand why students register for this class, it seems like a great idea at first. Two main courses knocked off in just 10 weeks. Plus, most of them need to pass it to get into the nursing program that starts in the fall. I promise, it's not a great idea.

This week is week 4 or week 9 for those who took the first and second classes back to back. I could tell today that it was getting to them. They would not stop giggling!

At one point there was a story about a a girl (who had the misfortune to lose her arm at some point) who is friends with a little person (they were not politically correct, by the way). Apparently, they both got drunk one night and the story went on until it ended with one of the students going around mimicking the camel from that Geico commercial asking everyone what day it was. I have no idea how those two things came together, but they did.

It was hump day. And apparently that was a very funny fact.

One of these days I'm going to have enough smarts to write down the crazy things my students say when they're supposed to be working.

Fyi...giggling is contagious. I might have caught the affliction by the end of our 4 hours together too. But, I'll take it, because truth be told I'm usually dealing more with tears than giggles at this point in the course.

So, any good summer day that included copious amounts of giggling also needed to include a fabulous smoothie. You know, because giggling makes me thirsty.

You can now add this to your smoothie repertoire; if you enjoy basil and blueberries. I know I certainly do.

Blueberry Basil Smoothie

1 c blueberries

1/4 c almond milk

1 tblsp honey

5-7 medium/small  sized fresh basil leaves

handful of ice cubes

Throw everything in the blender (liquid first) and blend blend blend. You can add more honey to your sweet tooth liking.

Enjoy!

Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie

It's smoothie weather again ( I don't drink cold things when it's cold outside, except water, maybe I'm weird). Therefore anything I can think to mix up in the blender gets tossed under the blade.

I tend to make a lot of fruit smoothies, but this one is slightly different. It tastes just like an oatmeal cookie. Yes, an oatmeal cookie. I kid you not. Without all the calories and fats.

I first saw this recipe over at Happy Herbivore. It hits all the categories for being vegan. It hits all the categories for being healthy. It hits all the categories for being a good source of minerals. More importantly, it hits all the categories for being refreshing.

Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie

1/4 c almond milk

2 frozen bananas, chunks

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 c oatmeal (uncooked)

1 tblsp raisins (if you want it sweeter add more)

I threw the liquid in the blender, then the solids and blended till creamy perfection. You won't regret this one, it's easy and fulfilling.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

I'm pretty sure my favorite 'flavor' and food is peanut butter. I've on occasion just taken a jar and a spoon and went to town. I usually share with this little bugger. I'm pretty sure peanut butter is her favorite flavor too and I've yet to say no to her. She is just so good at giving me her best puppy dog eyes.

It's a guilty pleasure really, seeing as peanut butter can easily become calorie overload. Generally I use the all natural kind, but for this smoothie it just doesn't work. It's not as creamy and just doesn't blend up as nice.


All you need are these 4 things:

12 ice cubes

1 banana

2 tbsp peanut butter

1/2 c chocolate milk

By the way, Gallikers is by far the best milk ever. I have a very hard time drinking any other kind. When I moved away from home 6 years ago and it was no where to be found I nearly went into a frenzy. I no longer looked forward to breakfast, since we all know the leftover milk at the end is the BEST part of a bowl of cereal. I'm almost as picky about my water, but that's a story for another day.

Add ice and then the rest of the ingredients and blend. This already looks good, doesn't it? Peanut butter, bananas, what's not to love?

 Feel free to garnish with whatever you like. I chose some peanut butter chips. FYI, this was just way too good to share with my four legged friend.

237 cals/serving

Raspberry Mint Smoothie

I love smoothies. I mean really love them. I have one pretty much every other day. They're so versatile, from sweet to savory and all the while quenching your thirst. My thought process in making a smoothie goes a little something like this: what fruit do I have on hand? what complementary flavor goes with that fruit (this is where I generally experiment)? how can I give it that smoothie texture?

Today, I had raspberries. They were on their last leg, by tomorrow they would have had to come to their unfortunate doom in the compost pile. Anyway, lots of things go with raspberries. White chocolate, chocolate, cream, cheesecake...ok we are getting off track, but how fantastic would a raspberry cheesecake milkshake be?!  Chunks of graham cracker and fresh raspberries in a creamy slow churned vanilla or chocolate ice cream topped with some grated chocolate. I digress. I decided on mint, since there is an over abundance of it in the garden. Mint really is invasive. Plant a little, you get a lot. Year after year it will come back without any work whatsoever on your part.

Back to the smoothies! This is what you'll need:

             

 Handful of raspberries

5-6 fresh mint leaves

              1/2 c-1 c almond milk (depending on the consistency you want, use less if you want a thicker smoothie)

1 tsp coconut cream

~12 ice cubes (I generally use an entire tray)

You could also use 2 tbsp of yogurt to get a creamier consistency, just add a little less almond milk. Plus, it would be just as splendid if you took out the coconut cream and added a tbsp of honey instead.  And if you're a chocolate fan add a tsp of cocoa powder.

Throw it all in the blender, just like so and pulse that puppy until you get to the consistency you want. Just a few helpful hints though; add the ice first and the liquid last. The ice crushes much easier that way. 

Pour and enjoy 55 calories worth of raspberries!

I hope you all enjoy this smoothie as much as I do. I'd love to hear all about your latest or all time favorite smoothie concoctions too!