Summer Smoothies

Who doesn't love a smoothie? Though this isn't a recipe, per se, I wanted to share a favorite snack idea for these hot summer months.

June brought lots of strawberries to our freezer from our berry picking day. I froze a lot on a baking sheet and then bagged them, and we've enjoyed them as a sweetener/cooler for oatmeal, but mostly they go into smoothies. I also picked up blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries when they were on a good sale. Our freezer is holding at least one over ripe banana, too.

On Simon's third birthday, we brought out the blender. I threw in some plain yogurt, berries, a banana, fresh pineapple I had in the fridge, and a dab of strawberry jam. I would have used honey if it would have come out of the container. I might have added a bit of milk to make it less thick. You don't need to add ice cubes since the berries are frozen. It's so easy to throw in whatever you have. A few things that make it easier to whip up smoothies for breakfast are:

1. Keep your blender in an easy place to reach, not the top shelf of the hall closet.
2. Our new dishwasher makes the mess much easier to clean up.
3. When the blender is empty, pour in a little water and blend that for a second to wash out the blade before it gets sticky.

For kids who are not great at drinking out of a "real" cup yet, smoothies are great practice! Here is Simon on his birthday morning:


With the leftovers in the blender (always make more than you need so you have leftovers!), pour into a popsicle mold (or yogurt cups or ice cube trays) and put them in the freezer. A few days later, we pulled out our smoothie-sicles and enjoyed yet another tasty treat. And it's one that I can feel good about giving them for a morning snack!

Pina Colada Slush

3 small cans (6 oz. each) unsweetened pineapple juice

2 cups water

1 can (10 ounces) frozen nonalcoholic pina colada mix

1 Tblsp. lime juice

1/4 cup powdered lemonade drink mix

lemon lime soda

In a large bowl, combine the pineapple juice, water, pina colada mix, lime juice, and lemonade mix; stir until lemonade mix is dissolved. Transfer to a 2 qt. freezer container . Freeze for at least 6 hours. May be frozen for up to 2 months.

To use frozen slush: Remove from the freezer 45 minutes before serving. For each serving combine 1/2 cup slush mixture with 1/2 cup lemon lime soda.

I made this tonight for the upcoming 4th of July weekend, I had a little sample, though, and it is good stuff!

Cherry Limeade Punch

1 can frozed limeade concentrate
1 bottle sprite or 7-Up
1 jar marashino cherries
1 lime
~Put in limeade and then add sprite. Pour in the juice from the cherries. Then add the cherries and sliced up lime for looks and taste.

Banana Nut Winter Smoothies

1 banana, frozen
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp honey (optional)
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Cut the frozen banana into 3 or 4 chunks and peel. Place in blender with yogurt, walnuts, cinnamon, and honey (optional). Blend 1-2 minutes on high or until smooth. Pour into glass and top with a dusting of ground nutmeg.


I made this for a morning snack the other day, and it was a hit! My boys (ages 2 and 4) loved them, and so did I. I had all the ingredients on hand, and I think the walnuts made them really yummy, but you could make it without nuts if you don't have any. This was a great way for my 2-year-old, who has had motor skills difficulties, start to successfully drink out of a cup. It made his face look really funny, too!

*Recipe from Dannon Lowfat Yogurt container.

Best Lemonade Ever

INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 cups white sugar
8 cups water
1 1/2 cups lemon juice

DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Remove seeds from lemon juice, but leave pulp. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water. You can leave some lemon slices in the pitcher as well. It is sooo yummy.