My Green Smoothie

I've loved drinking smoothies forever. My first taste was Juice it Up's Strawberry Wave when I was young. Since then my taste has changed and I think most smoothie place's ingredients have gone downhill in quality...so I don't mind making them on my own now :) 

My palette has become more 'sophisicated' with varying ingredients. I have a general recipe that changes based on what I am in the mood for and what's in my fridge. Here's one I had a month or so ago. 

This is the breakdown:

Fruit, at least 3 kinds

Juice, just a splash and I only use not from concentrate juices

Milk or water, just a splash (regular, almond or coconut)

The green: a big handful of kale, spinach, or chard

A large scoop of ice

This particular smoothie included half an apple, a scoop of cut up melon, a kiwi, a scoop of berries, a splash of simply orange, a splash of coconut milk, a big handful of kale and lots of ice. I think the trick is making sure you add in season fruit so the flavor is good. You'd be surprised how much green you can add without even tasting it. The ice makes a huge difference, too. These smoothies get me full, give me energy and make me feel good about my day since I usually drink them for breakfast. What do you put in your green smoothie?

Pero + Milk

My newest favorite drink doesn't have a real name. I've called it cold Pero, milky Pero, iced Pero... Whatever you want to call it, it is delicious! I don't drink coffee but I've tasted it before, and I never really liked it.  My SIL used to drink it and introduced me to her alternative now that she doesn't drink it anymore.

Pero is a 'coffee substitute' that is most commonly made hot. It's instant powder that just has to be added to a liquid. I love that it's made out of chicory, rye and other natural things- but none of them have to do with actual coffee.

source

The other day I was at my SIL's house and she made me this drink. I fell in love! Perfect for a hot day. Also, a good alternative to chocolate milk.

Here's how I make it:

Fill a tall glass with cold milk. Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of Pero and mix. Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and mix. Top off with some ice. Enjoy!

Chocolate banana blueberry smoothie

I get on smoothie kicks every so often and I'm always looking for something new to try. A friend had mentioned how good dark chocolate almond milk is, so I decided to pick up a carton and I'm so glad I did! I love chocolate and any way to get it into a smoothie is ok with me! Here's what I put in it:



Frozen blueberries
a banana
a big glug of dark chocolate almond milk
sometimes I put some normal milk in it too, if i want it to be thinner

It makes a great breakfast or snack and really fills you up.

My new favorite pancakes

I found the best pancake recipe I've ever tried! The best part is that it lets you make a big batch that you can store in your pantry, that way when you want pancakes you just grab a cupful and add the wet ingredients. It's like making your own Bisquick, but these taste a million times better that store bought. Try them! Nigella Lawson knows whats up. All of the recipes I've tried of hers are winners- especially desserts + baked items.

I haven't tried the blueberry syrup that is part of the recipe but I'm sure it's good. We stick to the traditional as much as possible if David has anything to do with it :)

Cake Doughnuts

Last Sunday morning, cake doughnuts sounded really good so I decided to try to make them. I found this recipe and they turned out amazing. I made a glaze from melted butter, powdered sugar, a splash of milk and vanilla.

Puffy German Pancakes

This is a recipe I grew up with. It's one of the easiest breakfasts! The best part is that you blend everything and just dump it in a pan, so there's no hassle of flipping individual pancakes. You just bake, cut and serve.

Preheat oven to 400
Put 2 tablespoons of butter in a 9 x 13 baking pan and put it in the oven

In a blender put:
4 eggs
2/3 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt (i use kosher)
2/3 cup milk
Blend and pour over the melted butter in the 9 x 13

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes
Then turn down the oven to 350 and bake for about 15 more minutes. Check it periodically. You want the sides to be puffy and the center to be firm. That's how you'll know it's done.

Waffles

This is my mom's recipe for waffles. They are SO good, and light and fluffy. The trick to tender waffles is not overmixing. Mix all of these ingredients until they are just combined.

In a bowl combine:

2 cups flour
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup (one stick) melted butter
2 eggs (separate the egg whites into a separate empty bowl, and put the yolks into the other ingredients. beat up the egg whites with a whisk until they are foamy, then add gently into the batter)

Put a scoopful into your waffle maker. You will not be disappointed!