What's your favorite season?
I think mine's summer. This wasn't always the case. I was kind of a shy kid, not too athletic, so although I enjoyed being off from school, I didn't necessarily LOVE summer.
Now I do, though. Becoming a mom transformed my summer affection into full-bloomed adoration. I count the days til my kids and my teacher-husband are off of school. I seek out pool schedules long before the pools are open and weigh the various merits of our local beaches (because Chicago IS a beach city).
I live in a two-flat with my sister and her family, so summer is even more full of giggling, backyard kiddie-pool playing fun. Since my sister is also a teacher, our days are especially joy-packed.
As I said, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE summer. Summer means fresh-cut watermelon and frozen treats. Today, it also means spinach. What? Spinach in a fruity, cold smoothie that we turned into ice pops.
We freeze up lots of healthy concoctions in our ice pop mold. Making our own ice pops allows me to choose the ingredients I want to include (natural sugars from dates and other fruits, no-added sugar coconut milk, spinach or kale, etc.) and want I want to keep out (artificial colors and flavors, for example). How about some orange juice mixed up with no-sugar added coconut beverage? How about a smoothie?
Here's the recipe for the smoothie that we made this week. (Blueberries were not part of the original idea, but the color was really yucky! The purple from the blueberries made all the difference.) Feel free to freeze up whatever strikes your fancy!
What's your favorite season?
Spinach and Fruit Smoothie
Makes approximately 5-6 cups
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen mango
1 cup spinach
1 cup blueberries
2-3 dates, pits removed
4 cups non-dairy milk (I used So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk beverage.)
Preparation:
Blend all ingredients thoroughly.
I shared this with Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Allergy Friendly Friday, and Wellness Weekend.
Happy Cooking!
Kim
Find more tasty recipes in Welcoming Kitchen: 200 Delicious Allergen and Gluten-free Vegan Recipes.
What a great idea! Part of my next smoothie is headed for the ice cream mold...
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of that smoothie! My go-to non-dairy milk is organic rice milk and I often have the other ingredients in stock as well. Just need to pick up a mango, and I'm in business!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Karen!
ReplyDeleteDo you taste the spinach? I love the idea of extra vegetables, but I'm not brave enough to try putting spinach in with my fruits.
ReplyDeleteI am passing on the Sunshine Award to you. You can pick it up at http://jazzyallergyrecipes.blogspot.com/2012/06/sunshine-award.html.
Thanks, Lori! You don't really taste the spinach. Maybe a little, but it really comes across as freshness. My friend suggested using baby spinach for the mildest flavor, and I think she was right. Start out with a little and then try more. My boys (who can be picky) drink smoothies with kale or spinach most mornings. When it's an ice pop, it's even more popular!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful idea! I just received some Popsicle molds as a gift so now I can make these naturally sweet treats. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try. My kids are not spinach fans, but know they won't mind when mixed with their favorite, FRUIT!
ReplyDeleteMm sounds good!
ReplyDeleteThis may seem silly, but about how long do you freeze them for?
Thanks! :)
Not silly, Miachel! Freeze them for at least an hour or two.
ReplyDeleteSummer is not my favorite season - but those spinach and fruit smoothie pops could change my mind!
ReplyDelete