So far in the freezer, I’ve found LOTS of fruit.  Those ten thousand bananas that I’ve blogged about before are finally being put to use.  Smoothies are the most logical way to use them up, so we’ve been enjoying one for the last two mornings.

Yes, today’s smoothie looks a lot like yesterday’s did, but it’s not the same.  Today, I used apple juice, frozen mango, bananas and peaches.  Of course, I added in a big handful of kale (which I chopped up last night using my little chopper– LOVE that gadget!).

Guaranteed to help clean you out, if you know what I mean.

I’ve mentioned before that my Emma is a juice fanatic.  Now that we are off milk, she will only drink (very diluted) juice and water on occassion.  To make me feel a little more justified for giving her juice all the time, I started buying juices that are a blend of fruit and veggie juice.  She doesn’t seem to mind them, not even the green juice I bought for her yesterday.  Think Odwalla Superfood (the green smoothie), but a different brand.  I actually really like Superfood.

For breakast, I usually have fruit and toast or oatmeal or something like that.  Since I am determined to reclaim my freezer, I decided that today was the perfect day to use up some frozen fruit.  So, I made up this smoothie to go with my toast.

Green Smoothie

2 kale leaves (fresh), stems removed

Frozen peaches

Frozen bananas

Green juice, or other juice of your choice

Put everything in the blender.  Add just enough juice to make everything blend smooth.

This did have a bit of a veggie aftertaste, but I think this came from the green juice, not from the kale.  Kale, to me, doesn’t taste like anything when it is raw and I add it to smoothies all the time without it changing the taste of the smoothie.  I know it sounds crazy and weird, but give it a try the next time you have some kale and are making a smoothie.  Kale is extremely good for you.  One word of advice– be sure to stick with bananas when using veggies in a smoothie.  Bananas are so sweet that they can mask any funny flavors.

The first taste I had of this concoction was at Cafe Gratitude on Saturday.  It was really good and I’ve been craving coconut lately, so I tried to make my version of one today.  My experiment was highly successful.  This smoothie was delicious, but certainly not super healthy.  Yes, it’s better than a traditional milkshake, but definitely not something you’ll want to indulge in every day.  The best part was that Emma drank some and really liked it too!  The dates give it a chocolatey taste, which is what appealed to her, I think.  Try this the next time you’re in the mood for a milkshake.

Coconut Date Smoothie

1 can lite coconut milk

7 large dates, pitted

2-3 TB almond butter (to taste)

1 1/2 – 2 tsp vanilla (to taste)

Ice

Blend.  Enjoy!

I was in the mood for a smoothie this morning and I had a peach that had seen better days, so this is what I came up with:

Fruity Smoothie

1 cup apple juice (or more if the blender needs more liquid)

1 peach (skin and all)

1/2 cup mango chunks

1 cup frozen banana chunks

1 cup kale, stems removed

Put everything into the blender and let ‘er rip. This was SO delicious!

For breakfast this morning, I went out on a limb and tried the “Drink Your Greens Smoothie” from ED&BV. It’s basically a smoothie made from frozen bananas, mangoes, fresh OJ, avocado and kale. Yes, avocado and kale in a smoothie.

It looks disgusting, but the only thing I could really taste in it was the bananas. I’ll definitely be making this again because Emma even had a cup of it. If she liked it, so will you.

I had mine with some decaf tea and half of a whole grain bagel with Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese. Tofutti is awesome and tastes exactly like cream cheese, but is better for you and is cruelty free! You may be surprised to learn that dairy cows (even ones raised for organic milk) live shitty existences and eventually become steaks and hamburgers. Ditto for egg laying hens. I had never considered this before when I consumed these products.

I digress… back to the Tofutti. Be sure to buy the kind that is made with non-hydrogenated oil (it comes in a yellow tub). I’ve also added it to mashed potatoes and they turned out so creamy and delicious!