Purple Rain Smoothie

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)