Strawberry Mango Coconut Smoothie

   I love smoothies. I mean I LOVE smoothies and so do my boys. We drink them fairly often and now that I'm under doctors orders to stay away from raw fruits and vegetables, unless they are pureed, we will be eating having them on a even more often. 

   Which, can I whine to you a little? I am craving a spinach salad like CRAZYYYY!!!!! The lack of raw veg in my life is making me cranky! And of course the other thing that I can't eat is junk food. Basically I need to eat as little preservatives as possible but I can't eat too many fruits, veg, or meat. Basically I can eat carbs. I know sounds like a dream right? Well, I'm less than thrilled. I always want what I can't have, at least when it comes to food. 

   Now, that is out of my system, let me tell you about this smoothie. I originally planned on adding carrot juice or spinach and flax seed but I am out of all of the above. I need to restock my refrigerator. But this smoothie is perfect for getting kids who are normally picky eaters to feel like they are drinking a milk shake. The Greek yogurt and coconut milk make it creamy enough to trick a picky eater into thinking, it is in fact, a treat. Like with any other smoothie, I wouldn't look at these portions as set in stone, just a guide. I added honey this time but if my fruit was a bit sweeter I wouldn't have added any this time. I would also rather use fresh produce but I often go to frozen for convenience. If you do the same, make sure you not using fruit that has been packed in syrup. You want fruit that has be cleaned cut and frozen. 

Strawberry Mango Coconut Smoothie

serves approximately 4 people

6 oz (3/4 cup) Greek yogurt (I used strawberry)

7 oz (1/2 can) coconut milk

6 oz (3/4 cup) coconut water

4 oz (1/2 cup) orange juice (I used fresh squeezed)

3 tablespoons oats

2 handfuls frozen mango

2 handfuls frozen strawberries

*honey* optional

Combine everything in a blender and blend until smooth. Drink immediately. 

Mango Cardamom Oatmeal

Normally breakfast around here is greek yogurt because its easy and since I don't eat much throughout the day I know I'm getting protein and calcium that I desperately need. Luckily my hubby and boys love yogurt almost as much as I do but, every once in awhile I like to have something of substance for breakfast. Oatmeal is a quick and filling meal that will stay with me until lunch and can be thrown together in the morning or even the night before, so I can fix it while still half asleep. This version has some exotic flavors that I love love love! It can also be made vegan and gluten free. Combine this with an iced coffee (yes, I drink them all year long) and I am ready to go, nice and full, albeit still half awake but ready to start my day.

Serves 4:

1 14 oz can coconut milk
1 cup almond milk
1 tsp cardamom
1 tsp cinnamon

1/4-1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg 

zest and juice of an orange

1/3 cup agave nectar, turbinado (raw) sugar or honey

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups mango (I used frozen but fresh would be best if in season)

honey and almond milk for topping or greek yogurt

In a medium saucepan whisk together milks, spices, orange juice and zest and sweetener. Bring mixture to a boil and stir in mango and oats, reduce to simmer. Simmer until thickened, about 5-8 minutes. Eat warm top with a splash of milk and/or honey (or agave or raw sugar if vegan.)

Christmas Morning Muffins!!!!

We are hosting out Christmas Morning Brunch again this year and I plan on scaling back the food... well I planned on it but it doesn't seem to be happening... Last year I made this granola and laid everything out for granola parfaits and they were DELICIOUS!!!! However, I wanted to change it up this year. My Mom and I have a tried and true muffin recipe so I'm remixing it with these two lovely flavors and a third yet to be determined flavor. I know you're all like Strawberry Pina Colada at Christmas!?!?! Well, that is how I roll, stank you very much. I like to mix it up and get CRAZYYYYYYY y'all!  Okay, maybe I'm just sleep deprived. I probably shouldn't write these when I haven't been sleeping often or while I'm listening to a playlist made of mostly Prince, Michael Buble and Outkast. Whatevs. 

For Basic Muffins:
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup cooking oil
Raw sugar for topping*

Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease and flour muffin cups or toss in liners if you too cool to bother with all of that nonsense. (As you can see I am!) Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and stir to combine  Make a well in center and set aside. In another bowl combine the remaining ingredients. Add all of the liquid to dry ingredients. Stir until just moistened and still lumpy. Add mix ins making sure not to over work. Spoon into cups approx 2/3 way full. Top with raw sugar and bake for 18-20 minutes.
* Optional but needed

For White Chocolate Pomegranate:
Prepare as above except
omit oil
add
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup white chocolate
seeds from one pomegranate

For Strawberry Pina Colada:
Prepare as above except
omit oil
swap milk for coconut milk
add
1/4 cup diced strawberry (if using frozen no need to thaw mix in still frozen)
1/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup shredded coconut

You can see my sous chef admiring his work ready to dig in. 

and in other cuteness....

♥♥♥♥ Liam's new happy spot is staring up at the tree. ♥♥♥♥