Healthy Berry Smoothies

We've been on this smoothie kick for a few months. I've been making berry smoothies as a special healthy treat 1-2 times a week for the fam.

I sent the hubs to Costco, and in my craziness told him to pick up a bag of frozen strawberries, and another bag of mixed berries...I didn't even think of how humongous the bag would be since they're Costco sized. The hubs walked in with 2, 3 gallon bags of frozen berries lol! 

So we've been creating smoothie recipes lately. Here's one of our fav's so far...

2 c milk

1/2 c Greek yogurt

1-2 tea vanilla (unless you use vanilla Greek yogurt)

1-2 tabl agave nectar 

2 c. frozen strawberries

1-2 tabl chia seeds

2 tabl oats (helps keep the recipe thick)

If you choose to use vanilla Greek yogurt you can skip the vanilla, unless you want extra vanilla flavor. Also you can skip the agave nectar unless you want it sweeter. 

In a blender, pour all the ingredients in, and blend until smooth. 

Whats nice with this recipe is that you don't need to add ice cubes since you have the frozen strawberries! 

If you have one of those fancy pants Vitamix blenders, count your self lucky! I've been wanting one BAD for quite some time, but cant bring my self to spend the $400 to buy it. We would totally use it several times a week...but I opt to keep my kids clothed...mommies "wants" can be put on hold lol! My plan is to fully use the life out of my $20 blender...And probably replace it with another lol!

*Don't be hatin' my cheap glass ware...Its inexpensive...after 4 kids you learn a thing or two. Don't spend too much mula on fancy things the kids will only break! (unless you keep it out of sight/their reach) We're doing the whole Duck Dynasty thing anyways!

Fruit Salad

I don't know about you, but when I'm sleeping, or half way there, I get some of the best ideas. A lot of the time I'll come up with a new dinner idea, or some clever activity to do with the kids. The other night I thought "wouldn't cinnamon be good in a fruit salad? There are so many spins on fruit salad, and I'm sure someone already tried this one, but to me its a new recipe.

You'll need:

1 1/2 c. halved red grapes (green works too, but red tend to be healthier-so I'm told)
1 pear chopped
1 apple chopped (I used Gala-our fav!)
1-2 bananas (depending on size, and how much you like 'em)
8 strawberries quartered
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (can use slivered almonds)
1/2 lemon
1-5oz container vanilla greek yogurt
1/2 tea. cinnamon)

Place fruit in a mixing bowl, squeeze the lemon juice over the fruit (this will keep it from browning and you'll be able to store it in your frig for 2 days.) then toss fruit.
Open the top of the yogurt, and stir in the cinnamon (I had enough room inside my yogurt container to do this.) pour yogurt over fruit, dump in the nuts, and mix well.

To me, the flavor of cinnamon wasn't overwhelming. It was very mild. You can add more or less if you prefer.
2 of my kiddos loved it, then there's the baby who doesn't eat solids yet, and Miss. Drama Queen who has to be dramatic about EVERYTHING...I wonder where she gets THAT from?!?

I made this to go along with the Pumpkin Spice Muffins I made for breakfast.