Basic Fruit Smoothie

I taught a nutrition class and have had a lot of requests for a smoothie recipe. This is my favorite smoothie which makes 5 cups. One non-vegetable or fruit eater told his wife he would have this for breakfast every morning! It is so energizing and refreshing!

Fruit Smoothie

1 cup water

1 cup of greens (spinach or kale)

2 cups of fruit (I use a frozen blend of strawberries, pineapple, melon, peaches and blueberries)

1 ripe banana

Add the ingredients in the order listed. I recommend defrosting your fruit before mixing in the blender if you do not own a high power blender (BlendTec or VitaMix). The banana is the sweetener and adds a smooth texture. It is a must. Most grocery stores sell nice fruit blends. In the summer I use all of the fresh fruits growing in my yard. Go ahead and experiment. You can make the exact same mixes you see in the Smoothie stores if you pay attention to their ingredients.

Some fruits that are great to use:

Apricots

Peaches

Strawberries

Raspberries

Blueberries

Pineapple

Kiwi

Mango

Nectarines

Banana Muffins

These are so versatile and yummy! I make a double batch a lot of the time, but it is a big batch, so be prepared if you double it.

Dry ingredients:

1/2 cup wheat germ
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Wet:

1/2 cup butter/coconut oil
3/4 cup sugar/honey
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas)

This batter should be creamy, if it seems too thick then you can add a little extra milk.

Preheat the oven to 350 and prepare 12 muffin tins

Cream butter and sugar with mixer. Beat the eggs in 1 at a time. Add the bananas (it says to add them mashed, I always let my mixer do it) and add vanilla.

Mix the dry together and then put into the wet and mix until moist, but a little lumpy.

For muffins you will let them bake about 25 minutes.

Banana Drop Cookies

½ c butter (or coconut oil)
1c honey
2 eggs
½ t vanilla
2 m bananas
2 C Whole wheat flour
1 t baking powder
½ t cinnamon
1/4t baking soda
¼ t salt
¼ t cloves (I also use an equal amount of nutmeg)

Mix wet ingredients (first 5 ingredients)then add the dry.

Bake at 350 for 10 12 min

You can also glaze these cookies, but my kids like them right off the rack!

Yummy Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Hey all! Today we are making super tasty banana muffins. These can be made in a variety of ways and the recipe is very forgiving, which I will list for you to decide for yourself. :)

Wet ingredients
1/2 cup butter/coconut oil/olive oil (I have used all with great success)
3/4 cup sugar/xylitol or 1/2 cup honey (I usually use honey)
2 large eggs (I often add an extra)
1 cup ripe bananas--I add them whole to my kitchenaide
1 tsp vanilla


Dry Ingredients
1/2-3/4 cups wheat germ
2 cups (I use whole wheat, if I use white I use more wheat germ)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate/carob chips

I don't follow the directions to the original recipe I was given because I am not using all of the same ingredients AND I am all about getting done fast and not dirtying a lot of dishes. So..the way I do this is I put the oil I put the first 3 ingredients in until well mixed, then I add the eggs one at a time. If I am using honey and olive oil then I add the oil first and then add the honey with the same mesuring cup, then it doesn't stick. I then add the vanilla and mix.

After mixing all the wet ingredients, I then add the dry ingredients alternating and then mix them in. This mixture should be smooth and creamy with a few lumps, if you are finding it to be too dry you can add any kind of milk (almond/rice/hemp/cow)

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes checking to see when the toothpick comes out clean.

Note: I often double or triple this recipe and share them. Also, they freeze fabulously so for those of you who want to cook and freeze ahead this is a great one to do this with. Enjoy!