Monday Recipes . . . Smoothies

I want to share the smoothie recipes I've been tweaking this weekend.  Perhaps you'll enjoy them, too. 

Hint -- if you use frozen fruit, you don't need to add ice that will melt and water down your smoothie before you finish it. 

The first is a fruit, honey, and almond milk recipe I created a few weeks ago.  Soy is a "no-no" for now (thyroid condition) so I switched to almond milk and I have to admit I love it. Use the regular flavor as the vanilla is not only more calories but just a bit too sweet.  



Berry and Honey Smoothie (makes 1) 

• 8 oz plain almond milk
• handful of frozen blueberries
• 3 strawberries
• 1 T honey powder (or fresh honey)
• 5 almonds
• 1/2 t vanilla or almond extract

Mix together in a blender and serve immediately. Honey powder is available at most Asian markets and some health food stores but you can substitute fresh honey.  Add it after the berries to ensure it doesn't "sink" to the bottom of your blender as it will be more difficult to incorporate.  
  
The second is a yogurt and juice smoothie I think would be awesome as a "dessert". 


Apricot Yogurt Smoothie

• 3 dried apricots
• 1/2 c boiling apple juice (no sugar added)
• 1 T honey powder
• 1 C Greek yogurt (I love Chobani brand as it contains twice the protein)
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

Soak the apricots for 10 -15 minutes in the apple juice and pour everything into the blender.  You can try adding different flavors of yogurt or different dried fruit. I would use the apple juice rather than water as it helps to balance the extra tang you get from the Greek style yogurt. This is great because it you can keep the ingredients in the pantry and pull them out whenever you need something sweet. 

 
Enjoy!