Healthy Mint Chocolate Shakes

Last night, Shaun had bowling. I came home from work and did girly things. Like get my hair set for overnight curling (I'm told this works best with dirrrty hair, and mine is primed and ready if you know what I mean ;) ), watch reruns of True Blood on HBO, catch up on blogs and look for hair styles to wear at my brother-in-law's wedding next week. All in all, not a bad night, no?

The other thing that always gets me on a solo night in is what to have for dinner. Admittedly, I'm happy with a nice plate of cheese and crackers for dinner, but in the interest of keeping the calories down for my solo girl's night, I enjoyed a lightened up English muffin pizza and a shake for dessert.

 

I love shakes, smoothies, you name it. Frozen bananas are a great base to add some texture and fullness to any non-ice cream shake or smoothie. With a bit of flavored extract and chocolate syrup, I had myself a bonafide mint chocolate shake. And I liked it.

Healthy Mint Chocolate Shake
1 C almond milk (or milk of your choice)
1 large banana, preferably frozen
splash of peppermint extract
chocolate syrup (I use Hershey's Lite)
ice cubes (as many as ya like)
2 drops green food coloring

Blend together the milk, banana, peppermint extract and ice cubes (if using). Add the food coloring and blend once more. Squeeze chocolate syrup around sides of your glass. Pour in the mint shake. Squirt a few more drops of chocolate syrup in for good measure.

Sip slowly with a straw, being extra careful to avoide brain freeze. Yum!

So there you have it. A delicious, nutritious and light shake that's perfect for any summer evening.

Questions of the Day:

Do you like shakes and smoothies? If so, what's your favorite kind?

How often do you wash your hair?

psst...We're rounding up a bushel of peachy links over on The Peach & The Pit today...head over to check out some fun stuff!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothie

A few weeks ago, I brought home a 2 pound bag of cherries.

I’m not going to tell you how much they cost. I assumed that they must have been stuffed with gold or something.

They were expensive. But they make Shaun, the King of No Desserts, so happy. He actually enjoys cherries as dessert! This almost never happens. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to find a 'dessert' that the man will eat and enjoy. (Let’s ignore the fact that while he barely stomachs desserts, I scarf them down like it’s my job. Talk about infuriating).

Of course, I too got on the cherry train and began concocting like 100 ideas using fresh cherries. But then I remembered the price tag. And that Shaun should get to enjoy his fresh cherries without me sneakily concocting sweet desserts with them.

I did a cartwheel in A&P when I found a bag of frozen, pitted, no sugar added cherries. Problem solved.

This smoothie is so refreshing and delicious. Oh and it’s pretty. So pretty. It definitely fits into the dessert smoothie category since it is sweet and tastes just like a chocolate covered cherry. Bellissimo. You may also see this smoothie as part of my True Blood Theme Party...but vamps or not, I could eat this every summer night and be a happy girl.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothie
1 C unsweetened almond milk
¾ C pitted frozen cherries (with no sugar added)
1-2 Tbsp chocolate syrup (I use Hershey’s Lite or Sugar-Free)
Fresh cherries, for garnish, if desired

Combine the ingredients. I use a giant measuring cup.

Get your blend on, making sure all ingredients are completely combined (especially those pesky cherry skins!). I used my good friend, the immersion blender. For an extra thick smoothie, try adding more ice, some yogurt or protein powder. I don't mind a thinner smoothie. Serve in a pretty glass.

I used a mason jar. For some reason, unconventional vehicles for beverages makes me happy. Doesn’t it look prettier this way? It feels much more special and fancy than stuffing it into a plastic travel tumbler. A straw is key for a thick, creamy smoothie. Don’t mind if I do.

So there you have it. The continuation of my smoothie obsession! And now my burning question...Do you overpay for produce because it's seasonal or justify it because it's produce? Or do you stay away from pricey fruits and vegetables all together?

I absolutely end up shelling out the dough for good produce. Somehow I can justifity that it's ok since it's healthy food. What are your thoughts?

Banana Bread Smoothie

It's been hot in NJ friends. Scorchingly hot. How did this happen so quickly? It was just 50 degrees like 2 weeks ago. Today it will be 90. Ouch.

So.

The only way I get through my 10 block walk to work in the morning without arriving as a hot mess is to keep a cold beverage with me at all times. It's chilled and delicious to boot. It makes me happy while...perspiration...is pouring down my face. I used to go straight to the iced coffee.

But the {only} problem with that is...it's not as fulfilling, not as healthy and bottom line...just not as good as a blended smoothie (ok, so I have my coffee when I arrive at the office instead...). I find smoothies to be so refreshing and rejuvenating in the morning and it's become my favorite go-to morning beverage and breakfast.

So pardon my excitement over this banana bread smoothie. It really just started by combining a few ingredients in the hopes of making a tasty yet filling smoothie that could double as breakfast for my on-the-go mornings. And then I realized that it was not only tasty and filling...but kind of tasted like banana bread. And so, friends, I'm hooked on this smoothie. It's like dessert in a cup, except that it's good for me. I should be drinking it. Could it get any better?

 

Though it's not all that different than my favorite green monster, this version just tastes more like banana bread, rather than like straight banana. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I hope you'll give it a try. After all, I've been dreaming about this smoothie, jumping out of bed so that I can have it in the morning. In fact, today I may even make a double batch and bring half to work for lunchtime. It's that good.

Banana Bread Smoothie
1 C unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
1 large banana
1/4 C quick cooking oats
1 scoop creamy nut butter
1/2-1 scoop vanilla protein powder
splash of vanilla extract
dash of ground cinnamon
sweetener, to taste (I used 1 packet of Splenda)

In a large glass measuring cup, bowl or blender, combine the milk and oats and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the peanut butter...


...banana

...protein powder

...and sweetener, vanilla and cinnamon. Blend well in a blender or with an immersion blender. Pour over a tall glass of ice.

Slurp slowly and enjoy!

The protein powder and peanut butter make this smoothie creamy, while the banana and oats give it tons of flavor and texture. Be sure to blend the heck out of it so that the oats are pulverized (letting them sit in the milk first will help in softening them!) and the smoothie is, well, smooth.

So what do you think? What's your favorite morning beverage? How do you stay cool in the mornings?