Thursday, July 24, 2008

we love smoothies!



because:
It's HOT outside
fresh summer produce from the US is kinda pricey (berries and peaches specifically)
We're missing (and craving) Nana's freshest homegrown produce (berries and peaches specifically)
Ice cream is really pricey here (and not very good from our experience)
Plain yogurt is abundant and cheap
Smoothies are filling and nutritious for growing kids and "prego" mom
AND they're yummy!!!

yesterday we had breakfast with some friends and I brought the blender to make smoothies as part of my breakfast contribution.  My friend from Australia informed me that it was a first for her!  So for anyone else that may need help in making one.  Here's our typical and very flexible recipe.

1 1/2 cups fruit (we use frozen)
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
ice
honey and/or banana to sweeten 
milk and or fruit juice (to help get the desired consistency)

I dump it all in the the blender in the order listed and then blend away.  Sometimes it looks like it's not making much progress, so I stop and stir or shake or add more liquid.

With the plain yogurt most of the smoothies need a little help from honey to make them sweet enough to be called "yummy".  However, I have found that if we using bananas makes them pretty sweet too.

*I purchased cups with snap on lids and straws for the kids after those pictures (and I gave them a bath)
*Thanks Anna for suggesting smoothies last time we talked.

8 comments:

  1. CONGRATULATIONS!!! (It's been a while since I've checked any blogs...hanging head in shame...but I'm so glad I checked today!) I love good news!

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  2. I love those little ones! Can't wait to meet #3!

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  3. Hi Toria,
    I stumbled upon your blog through a friend of a friend. I hope you don't mind! My husband is in the negotiation stage of taking a job in Dubai. We're South African and currently live as expats in the Netherlands. My husband is the branch president here--so we're not weirdo's, I promise! My email is harriesbcs@hotmail.com. I have a few questions about schools, housing, areas etc. Would you mind emailing me so I can get your address and then I can mail you my list! I appreciate your help. Thanks,
    Claire

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  4. We like to freeze our yogurt for smoothies. It keeps them cold longer, but it also requires some active pushing with a wooden spoon in the blender to get it to blend.

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  5. Hey TC, I've been out of the country and not checking on blogs, so I am a little late in the congratulations department, but I'm so excited for you! I think you should have the baby on the 4th, my birthday, Congrats!

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  6. Hey Toria! Congratulation's! I can't wait to hear what it is like to have a baby in Dubai!

    I thought I added you to my blog when I went private, sorry it took me so long to add you!

    We got Ellie's kitchen at Pottery Barn Kid's. Let us know when you plan a trip so we can go to Disneyland!

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  7. Hey Toria! Congratulation's! I can't wait to hear what it is like to have a baby in Dubai!

    I thought I added you to my blog when I went private, sorry it took me so long to add you!

    We got Ellie's kitchen at Pottery Barn Kid's. Let us know when you plan a trip so we can go to Disneyland!

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  8. T - This is random but I just read the comment you left for Mandy about your car seat recommendations and I just had to laugh. You are weird! I think I'm kinda neurotic about things, but I've never even thought about having matching car seats with two kids. In fact, I think if I had had twins, that I would have wanted two different fabrics so each kid felt like they had their own rather than the same. You are so funny! Love You.

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