Edited to Add: Thanks Women’s Health Magazine for featuring my smoothie. I posted about it here on my site, too.
The weather in San Diego was gloomy, dreary and rainy on Monday. Not a nice day, at all.
Not really a smoothie drinking day in my opinion, but Skylar wanted one.
Usually I don’t use too many smoothie “helpers”, but realized I had quite a stash and decided to try a few new-to-me helpers.
I opted for Nutiva Hemp Shake in Berry Pomegranate (brown/green powder). And I also tried an Acai Heart packet from Madre Labs (red powder) that I got as a free sample from a recent iHerb order.
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Purple Rain Smoothie
1 large banana (previously frozen is ideal but not essential)
1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
1 or 2 packets/servings of your fave smoothie helper (or try one serving of protein powder + 1/3 c berries to replicate the smoothie helpers)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c milk (nut milk, vanilla flavored nut milk, milk, cream, or vanilla Coffeemate. <– I used that)
1/4 c sugar (add/reduce/omit as desired, or use stevia or vanilla NuNaturals stevia drops, to taste)
2 c ice cubes
Blend everything in Vita-Mix or blender until smooth.
Yield’s two hearty portions or four smaller portions which I pour into plastic glasses and freeze and pull out of the freezer as needed over the next few days to save time.
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Everything in, and blend.
The color was sort of a grayish plum. The Nutiva Hempshake powder was brown/green and chia seeds are gray but the Acai Heart was bright red. Never know what colors are going to emerge from the Vita.
It tasted wonderful! The berry flavors really came through.
Skylar waited patiently, and giggled, while I took pictures of it.
She was staring it down, big time.
Worth the wait she told me. I agreed.
Don’t let the color fool you. This doesn’t taste “healthy” or blah like the weather was. It was sweet, berry-flavored and was great!
She’s still asking me for more Vanilla Banana Avocado Smoothie, though.
I told her we’re out of avocados and she told me, “Well mommy, you better go to the store then.” Smart girl.
From my last post about Driving a Hard Bargain, it sounds like some of you aren’t afraid to bargain, a bit. No one admitted to being an out-and-out haggler and wheeler-dealer though. We all know that one person who haggles over everything though, right?
Questions:
1. What’s your favorite smoothie combo lately?
As I mentioned, I’m not the biggest smoothie fan because they jut don’t hold me, but Skylar loves them so as a mommy, of course, I oblige and make her whatever creation comes to mind on the fly and with what I have on hand.
I’d rather have a homemade Vegan Caramel Macchiato if I am going to choose something to drink. Or just water.
And maybe I’ll nibble on a homemade Vegan “Turtle” while sipping coffee.
2. Purple Rain. Are there any Prince fans in the house?
Omg. I.love.Prince.
I have seen him in concert a few times. Probably about 2003-04 was the last time I saw him and I paid handsomely for some tickets in the second row of the concert. I actually felt like he really “saw” me and was actually “looking” at me. Yes, that sounds groupie-ish. And I don’t care.
Best Prince Songs in my opinion: When Doves Cry, Little Red Corvette, Kiss, I would Die 4 You, Let’s Go Crazy, Raspberry Beret.
3. Are you a fan of 80s music and what songs are you loving lately?
I need to put together an Aruba playlist so I’m all ears what you’re loving lately. <—Pun intended.
And yes, I love 80s music! From Def Leppard, Guns ‘n Roses, and Aerosmith to just about everything else, I dig 80s music. Except not a Debbie Gibson or New Kids fan, sorry.
And now, I am off to have a fun meetup! (Hint)
I LOVE 80s music! I am so sad I missed that decade.
I had a high school boyfriend that ONLY listened to 80s music…that was a little weird, but it gave me a solid appreciation for it.
Since it’s the last week of my semester, I am living on green monster smoothies, a huge batch of lentils, raw veggies, and whatever free food I can scrounge up at events. Could be worse!
I have an odd collection of smoothie helpers, too – usually stuff sent through iHerb or other samples that I just never get around to using! Should get on that…though I think I’d prefer the macchiato or just water, too :P
Love Prince. Love the 80’s. I think I will be forever stuck in the 80’s and I don’t mind one bit :)
Smoothies are cool, but 80s music!!!
You inspired me to put together a little 80s mix for my ipod!
Here I Go Again Whitesnake
Walk Like An Egyptian Bangles
Hungry Like The Wolf Duran Duran
Jump Around House Of Pain
Video Killed The Radio Star The Buggles
Tainted Love Soft Cell
Talk Dirty To Me Poison
Rainbow In The Dark Dio
Nuthin’ But A G Thang Snoop Dogg and Dr.Dre
To Be With You Mr. Big
I Think We’re Alone Now Tiffany
Hip Hop Hooray Naughty By Nature
Fallen Angel Poison
My Best Friend’s Girl The Cars
(Momma Said) Knock You Out LL Cool J
Sweet Dreams Eurythmics
Rump Shaker Wreckx-N-Effect
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Cyndi Lauper
Parents Just Don’t Understand DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Seventeen Winger
Jessie’s Girl Rick Springfield
Once Bitten, Twice Shy Great White
Baby Got Back Sir Mix-A-Lot
Heaven Warrant
love it!!!
I started to feel really old for a minute, but this is a 80s/90s mix right??
Favorite Prince:
17 Days
La, la, la, Hee, hee, hee
Scandalous (sex suite)
Insatiable
Joy In Repetition
Still Would Stand All Time
Money Dosn’t Matter 2nite
My ipod 80s mix includes:
Watching You – Slave
Before I let go – Frankie Beverly & Maze
Just Got Paid – Johnny Kemp
Got to be Real – Cheryl Lynn
Shake it up Tonight – Cheryl Lynn
Shame – Evelyn Champagne King
I Don’t Know if it’s Just Right – Evelyn Champagne King
Heartbeat – Tanya Gardner
Square Biz – Teena Marie
In My House – Mary Jane Girls
Glamorous Life – Sheila E
I hear music in the streets – Unlimited Touch
Funkin for Jamaica – Tom Browne
Caught Up in a One Night Love Affair – Inner Circle
Genius Of Love – Tom Tom Club
Trans Europe Express – Kraftwerk
I too am not a huge smoothie person but yours today would easily work for me.
I will always love 80’s music AND movies. :)
That smoothie looks delish! The smoothie I made yesterday could have used a little more sweetness. I like how you work it!
And I am a HUGE Prince and 80s music fan!! I grew up listening to the BEST. music. ever. And to this day my playlist is LOADED with 80s; plus I often listen to the 80s channel on Sirius all. day. long. Thankfully Dustin goes along with it even though it’s not his first choice, lol. Sometimes I wish it was still 1985 and drawing rainbows and wearing jelly shoes were my only care in the world. :)
“Sometimes I wish it was still 1985 and drawing rainbows and wearing jelly shoes were my only care in the world. ” or perhaps what your cabbage patch dolls were doing or if you may advance to the next level on super mario brothers :)
Such cute pictures of Skylar! I need to go to the store and get some avocados myself! Haha :)
prince is the ultimate. what a dude.
love love love 80s music…thanks for the trip down memory lane. nothing beats “welcome to the jungle.” my favourite prince is raspberry beret and let’s go crazy. madonna’s immaculate collection is one for the ages…great great era! :)
i don’t do smoothies at all…nothing about the texture, even the concept appeals. glad skylar is a fan and you “indulge” her! what a cutie!!!
Mmmm I LOVE LOVE smoothies and I know that kids do too…I have future plans to raise my children on green monsters to get their veggies in! I’ve said this a million times but Skylar is so adorable and she always looks so darn HAPPY! :)
well thanks for saying it again :)
Hey lady!
my smoothie combo:
– bananas
– frozen berries
– greens (fresh spinach or kale)
– omega 3 (ground chia or ground flax)
– helper (VEGA protein powder – plain, mango/tropical, berry; don’t like the vanilla chai; haven’t tried chocolate)
– sometimes, yogurt
i never add a sweetener to it, as for me, the fruit and helper (VEGA has stevia in it) is enough. however, i know you have a sweet tooth! ;-)
xo
Heck yeah, I love Prince! I am such an 80s girl when it comes to music! I love it! I’ve been listening to Adel a lot lately since I just got her CD. I am not in the know on popular music anymore. So sad…
So strange to see BAD weather on your blog!!! I’m used to sunny pics!! :-)
I will always love “when doves cry” — I remember hearing it for the first time when I was younger and I just loved it. Still do!
I’m definitely a smoothie fan — almost every morning I have a 1/2 banana, 1 scoop protein, 1 TBSP chia, 1 cup almond milk, 1 TBSP peanut butter and ice smoothie. It keeps me satisfied and it sits well with me — I don’t feel full or stuffed after drinking it.
I just looked at your recipe for those turtles — I didn’t know they were so simple. I’m making those tonight for sure!
keep me posted on the turtle report.
I honestly don’t think that color is ugly at all, kind of calming actually. And Prince??? YES. I’ve seen him in concert too. Though, I’m not a big 80’s music gal to be honest.
i know you are a HUGE prince fan!
I always go back to my favorite smoothie of a banana, vanilla vegan protein powder, peanut flour and a handful of spinach…sometimes chia and flax too! It tastes like a milkshake and you can’t beat that! Skylar is such a doll :)