Originally published on Pittsburgh Magazine
If you live anywhere in the Eastern Seaboard, I don’t think the motivation for this post requires explanation. As I write this, the temperature is 95 degrees with a “real feel “ of 102. That is officially fever high. There is absolutely no way my stove is going to see any action today. I am not complaining though. I love summer — mercury-breaking heat index and all. No relationship is perfect. It’s the net exchange that counts. I will take the heat for the long summer days when the sun doesn’t set ‘til 9:00 pm. When I don’t have to wear 20 layers. When in days of respite from the sweltering heat, there are outdoor concerts, fairs, barbecues. I retreat to the pool, take any excuse to go to the beach, take refuge in movie theaters with big popcorn movies.
Summer is also an excuse to have treats for breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner. Silky smoothies. Velvet goodness in your mouth, making a joyful trail down your throat. Quenching, cooling, nourishing. Sips from your straw punctuated by mmmms and aahhhhs.
I’m not a breakfast cereal girl nor do I feel OK with a pastry for the first meal of the day. And lawd knows I am not going to make oatmeal or any porridge right now. So smoothies are IT. But forget sugar-laden Jamba Juice. These are nutrient-packed, refreshing and most of all taste like dessert without all the refined sugar! Here are three of my favorites along with the I Love Me Smoothie and Berry Good Smoothie I posted previously. I always add a whole leaf of kale (without the stalk) and a scoop of protein powder – it is always good to add protein! Sometimes I stir in some chia seeds. The recipe below is the “basic” mix to start with – fruit, milk and a natural sweetener. These are quick, simple and definitely hit the spot.
Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Serves 2
1 frozen banana
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 ½ cups So Delicious Cashew Milk, Unsweetened or Almond Milk
1 large kale leaf, stalk removed
1 scoop protein powder
Head on over to The Brazen Kitchen on Pittsburgh Magazine for:
Mango Coconut Ginger Smoothie and Raspberries & Dreams!
