Cherry Garcia Smoothie

Oh, cherry season. How I love thee. I usually end up eating my first bag of the season in a single seating, thus creating the world's worst stomach-ache. And I'm like, "why did I do that?", only to go back for more cherries the next day. Cherries and chocolate are even more sinful, and actually remind me of my family vacation to Vermont when I was a kid. We visited the Ben & Jerry's factory and got to watch how they make ice cream, and then sample their best-seller "Cherry Garcia" at the end. This is Cherry Garcia reincarnated in a healthy breakfast smoothie. And you don't have to fly all the way to Vermont to get it.

Cherry Garcia Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pitted cherries
• 1 pkg. chocolate Carnation Breakfast Essentials (I used sugar-free)
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup ice

Add all of the ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth.

*This post is not sponsored by Carnation  Breakfast Essentials. All opinions are my own.*

Wakeup Call Smoothie

Oftentimes I get lazy and won't create a recipe for days on end, and then there are other days when I create up to 4 or 5 recipes in a day. Can we talk about how many dishes I have to hand wash on these days? Too many. See, everything in the blogosphere isn't perfection. I don't make gourmet meals for breakfast each and every day. Sometimes it's all I can do to muster up a piece of toast with peanut butter and then starve myself until lunch time. On the weekends, if I find the time, I like to stop by one of my fave breakfast spots for one of their legendary breakfast smoothies. Luckily, I am a girl with connections, and created a copycat recipe of my own to enjoy at home. Now I can have this on the run, or as a mid-afternoon snack as the perfect pick me up. 

Wakeup Call Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 large banana
• 1 large spoonful of creamy peanut butter
• 1 tsp. instant espresso dissolved into 1 tbsp. hot water
• 1-2 tbsp. chocolate syrup
• 1 pkg. chocolate powdered Carnation Great Start
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup ice

Place all ingredients in the order listed into your blender and whirl until smooth.

Makes 2 single cup smoothies, or 1 large smoothie.

Coconut Mango Banana Smoothie

All winter long I listened to every one complain about their crazy snow storms and being trapped inside without heat or electricity, or having to walk to work uphill both ways, etc, etc, etc. But now the tables have turned, and while you are all enjoying your beautiful 80 degree, flower blooming, lake side summer holidays, I am baking away in this 110 degree oven that we call Phoenix. But I have found a way to beat the heat and pretend like I am in a tropical paradise, pool side, with a cabana boy fanning me with palm leaves and misting me with cool water. This smoothie. Coconut, mango,and banana is all the makings of a pina colada. You can even add some rum. I won't tell!

Coconut Mango Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 banana, sliced and frozen
• 1 mango, pitted and chopped
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tbsp. honey or agave nectar
• 1 tbsp. organic coconut oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tbsp. chia seeds
• 1/2 tbsp. ground flax seed
• 1 tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes, plus more for topping

Add all ingredients into the blender and whirl until smooth. Top with some more coconut flakes and serve cold. 

Watermelon Coconut Cooler

Okay, so as promised, here is the second part of yesterday's Strawberry Watermelon Juice recipe that I promised you all! Because I had so much juice, and I had a tray of coconut water frozen into ice cube trays, I figured a cooling coconut water slushie after a quick workout at the gym was the best way to stay hydrated. If I had popsicle molds I probably would have frozen this mixture in them to create a great and healthy snack! This only takes 2 minutes to whip up. Plus, it's pink!

Watermelon Coconut Cooler

Ingredients:

• 1/2 batch strawberry watermelon juice
• handful of frozen coconut water cubes

Add ingredients to a blender. Whirl until smooth and frothy. Drink cold.

Raspberry Chia Seed Lemonade

Pinterest. How I love to hate you. Case in point being that the second I saw this recipe online, I HAD to make it. I mean, come on. Raspberry lemonade for one is delicious. Then add in some chia seeds and coconut water. Perfection. Now, if you are a texture person, this might not be for you. You could omit the chia seeds completely to avoid the tapioca-ish feel of this. But I for one am a strong advocate of the chia. With the 3-day weekend behind us, it is officially summer time. And what's summer without some homemade lemonade?!

Raspberry Chia Seed Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raspberries
• 2 cups coconut water
• 4 tbsp. chia seeds
•  1/2 cup lemon juice
•  1 tbsp. honey

Place the raspberries in a food processor (or muddle by hand) until smooth. Add the pureed raspberries, lemon juice, coconut water, and chia seeds into a large pitcher or mason jar. Shake well until combined. Place in the fridge and allow the chia seeds to absorb some of the liquid, becoming soft, for at least 30 minutes. Drink cold. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. 

Carrot, Mango, Kiwi Smoothies

How many of you have been to Cost Plus World Market? Is that place the heaven that I created in my my own mind? Right when I walked in yesterday I was greeted by incredible summer beach tablescapes with seahorse salad tongs, starfish placemats, and hand-blown glass tumblers. Oh, and like 70% of everything was teal and orange. My newest obsession. Hence the straw and the color of this incredible smoothie! It's half fresh juice and half fresh fruit, pureed into a perfect summer smoothie. And unlike most juice based smoothies, this isn't gull of artificial sugars, and just the right amount of sweet!

Carrot, Mango, Kiwi Smoothies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup carrot juice (I juiced mine in my juicer, but you could buy bottled carrot juice)
• 1 cup frozen mango chunks
• 2 kiwis, peeled and halved

Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Serve cold. This recipe will make 2 small smoothies, or 1 large smoothie.

Strawberry Avocado Smoothie

A quick Monday recap for you all. I got into work yesterday and had reminder emails for things that are not taking place until August. Then I chatted with a girlfriend about this year's college homecoming plans which happens in late October. Does anyone else feel like time is passing them before they even get to the present day? Trying to take time to slow down and "smell the flowers" as they say seems a bit impossible at the moment, because if I did in fact stop my productivity train, then I wouldn't be here to cook and blog for you all! And that, is my happy place. Another happy place? Inside this smoothie. Sweet strawberries blended with creamy avocado makes this a perfect smoothie for spring. Sorry for the lack of creativity in my photo today. I was just too antsy to drink it! Breakfast summons.

Strawberry Avocado Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 large spoonful plain greek yogurt
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp. ground flax seed

Place all ingredients in a blender and whirl on high until smooth. Add more almond milk if it becomes too thick to blend.

Serve cold.

Blueberry Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

It's chilly in the morning when I leave for work at 6:30am, but who am I kidding...I live in Phoenix. When I say it's chilly in the morning, I mean it's 65 degrees and the sun in already rising. So, I don't feel bad sipping on a cold smoothie on my way in to the office. I also don't feel bad eating what tastes like a freshly baked blueberry pie for breakfast. This smoothie of full of healthy fats from homemade peanut butter, and antioxidants from the blueberries. This, my friends, is a deadly combination. Once I was done, I was craving another. Luckily I was far from a blender, but you better believe I will be making this again!

Blueberry Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:
Makes 2 smoothies

• 1 banana, peeled
• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup plain non-fat greek yogurt
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 3 dates, pitted and quartered
• ice if needed to thicken

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and puree on high speed until smooth. Add a few ice cubes and blend until your desired consistency is reached.

Green Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

So, the sun may still be shining bright, but it's no secrret that I am obsessed with all things fall. I may or may not have started putting up my Halloween decor at my house. I got my pumpkin scentsy going, and I am incorporating canned pumpkin into everything. Today, it makes its way into my green power smoothie. It's full of flavor, and my boyfriend even revealed his intrigue in green smoothies. Get all the vitamins and benefits from kale, without having to chomp on it like a farm animal every morning!I promise, you can't even taste it!

Green Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. peanut butter
• 2 tbsp. pumpkin puree
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup frozen banana slices
• 1 cup kale
• 3 shakes cinnamon
• 1 shake nutmeg
• 1 shake all spice
• 1 shake ginger
• 1/2 scoop protein powder

Place all of the ingredients in your blender and whirl until smooth. Enjoy!

Greek Yogurt Blackberry Smoothie

I'm currently doing a little blackberry dance while I write this. It's embarrassing. You don't want to see it. But what you will see in your local grocers is blackberries on blackberries on blackberries. I recently found them for 88 cents, so I was sure to stock pile them in my freezer for snacks, smoothies, and yogurt toppings. This smoothie was a great post-workout meal for me, and the greek yogurt provides enough protein, so you can forget about the powders and mixes!

Don't forget to follow me in instagram for more photos and recipe ideas! @hotdogfoodblog

Greek Yogurt Blackberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 6 oz. plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2-3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Place blackberries, banana, yogurt and 1/4 cup milk in blender. Blend until fruit in pureed and ingredients are well combined. Add more milk to get the desired thickness and continue to blend. Serve immediately!

Mango Basil Smoothie

When smoothies are made right they are like the perfect little black dress for your insides. Full them with sugary yogurts, nutrient deficient ice, or processed junk and they turn into your worst enemy. But today I plan to arm you with the perfect body friendly breakfast. Instead of using ice I use frozen coconut water, frozen mango, and avocado to thicken the smoothie. 

Mango Basil Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 mango, peeled and chopped (frozen if desired)
• 1/4 avocado
• 1 small cucumber
• Handful of basil
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 cup coconut water, frozen in ice cube trays

Toss all ingredients in a blender and whirl on high until smooth. If it seems to thick just keep adding coconut water until you reach your desired consistency.

P.S. aren't my new travel cups so darn cute? 3 of them for $15 at Costco! Can't wait to bring you more fun recipes in them!

Avocado Kale Power Smoothie

Well it's Tuesday. And while most of you are just starting your work week, I am on my 5th day of work, headed for 8 in a row before I can enjoy a weekend off. And let me tell you, I can't wait to spend it poolside with some refreshing cocktails. But today's recipe is a different kind of beverage. Filled with nutrient-rich banana, kale, and avocado, this smoothie kicks your body into high gear, keeping it full and keeping you satisfied for the better part of your morning. I am loving experimenting with kale in ways other than salad, and this may very well be one of my top 3 favorites!

Avocado Kale Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled and cubed 
• 2 heaping cups of kale
• 2 tbsp. flax seed
• 1/2 tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk
• chia seeds for garnish

Dump all of the ingredients into your blender and mix until smooth. Garnish with chia seeds and enjoy! I know I did.

Pineapple Crush Smoothie

I am always looking for ways to spruce up my breakfast and my post-workout meals. Though egg and veggie omelets are delicious, sometimes I just crave the sweetness of a smoothie. However, I can never bring myself to buy one when I am out, because I never know what is actually in there, or they use sherbert as a base (ummmm, ew). I stopped in the greocery store after a recent butt-kicking Zumba class and picked up a pineapple, oranges, a mango, and bananas. Blend those tropical fruits with a little almond milk and some flax seed, and voila!! Smoothie!

Pineapple Crush Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 banana, broken into pieces
• 1/2 navel orange, peel removed
• 1 mango, peeled and pitted
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (I cut a fresh pineapple, but feel free to use canned)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tbsp. ground flax seed

Put all of the listed ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth! Makes 2 servings, so feel free to serve 1/2 for the following day.

Blueberry Strawberry Kale Smoothie

It's official. I am obsessed with kale. Kale is packed with vitamins, iron, and calcium, so how can you NOT love it? Plus, by starting my day with this fruity/veggie full smoothie, it curbs my pre-lunch cravings. Make it easy on yourself and freeze individual servings in ziplock bags, so that in the morning you just dump it all in the blender and poof! You are on your way!

Blueberry Strawberry Kale Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup blueberries (frozen or fresh)
• 3 large strawberries (cut in half)
• 1 cup packed kale leaves, washed and torn into pieces)
• 2-3 spoonfuls vanilla greek yogurt
• a small glass of fruit juice (ex: orange, pineapple, apple, get creative!)
• pinch of cinnamon

Throw all of the ingredients into your blender and whirl until smooth and creamy. If you think it is too thick, feel free to add more juice until you get the consistency that you crave.

If you want to pre-pack and freeze; add the blueberries, strawberries, and kale together in a ziplock baggie. Store until ready to serve. When you are ready for a smoothie, add the frozen ingredients as well as the remaining ingredients into the blender and serve.

Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie

My best friend and I decided to make the ultimate commitment of our adult lives and join a gym. Sounds silly, but this is a big step for us. I have always been a very active person, and enjoy everything from hiking, running, Zumba, and ballet-pilates hybrid classes. But a lot of this hard work can go to waste if you don't replenish your body after a good workout. This post-workout Pumpkin Spice Smoothie is a perfect fall treat without the guilt of slamming down an actual slice of pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 cup milk
• 1 scoop vanilla protein
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger (or use your homemade Pumpkin Spice)

Blend everything until smooth in a blender. Enjoy!

Peach Pie Protein Shake

How can you have a bad day when you start your morning with a filling protein shake that tastes like a peach pie, complete with a hint of cinnamon? Just throw everything into your blender and breakfast, or your post-workout snack, is ready in just minutes.

Peach Pie Protein Shake

Ingredients:

• 1 peach, pitted
• 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 2 pinches of cinnamon 
• 8 to 10 ice cubes

Add everything into your blender, putting the ice in last and blend until smooth.