Junkfood Makeovers: Smoothie Edition

Posted on | April 8, 2008 | 7 Comments

Thus begins a new “column” that you’ll see from time to time: Junkfood Makovers.

Have you seen those “Danimals” or “Yoplait Endulge” or whatever they’re called drinks at the store? Ever been tempted to down one of these “healthy” drinks? Perhaps you have (even I used to) but then one look at the dreaded “Nutritional Info” and it’s clear that High Fructose Corn Syrup and “emulsifiers” and “red #4″ isn’t so healthy.

Here’s a delicious way to treat your kids to a quick, healthy breakfast using plenty of that homemade yogurt (see post below!):

Thienes Family Power Smoothie

Basic smoothie:

1 cup homemade yogurt (or kefir) OR coconut milk (for a vegan treat!)
1 Tbs coconut oil
1 banana
6 drops liquid stevia (or sweetener of choice)
1 cup of frozen fruit (berries, mangoes, pineapple, cranberries; whatever we’ve got!)
2-3 egg yolks (don’t freak out people! I use pastured egg yolks from a farmer I know!)

Bonus features: (add any of the following…for the brave and strong!)

+1 Tbs nutritional yeast (this is a strong flavor– best hidden with lots of raspberries)
+1 scoop of Rice Protein Powder (I don’t love this, but my husband does)
+1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
+1 tsp spirulina
+fresh or frozen spinach (I promise you won’t taste it!)

Whirl in blender. Serve to happy, hungry, family members with a handful of nuts or a piece of toast, and you have a complete breakfast! Toddlers especially enjoy eating this with a spoon in a bowl for “breakfast ice cream”. Shhhh! Don’t tell. Freeze leftovers for popsicles, or pour directly into your ice cream maker!

With Jamba and Booster Juice at about $4.50 a pop, this is a very thrifty way to make a delicious whole-food meal. And unlike other smoothies that are laden with sugar, this one being full of good fats with sustain your blood sugar throughout the morning.

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Comments

7 Responses to “Junkfood Makeovers: Smoothie Edition”

  1. Xenia Kathryn
    April 8th, 2008 @ 9:12 pm

    This does indeed make a killer smoothie! I use maple syrup as a sweetener (not too much is needed).

  2. kristinsdottir
    April 8th, 2008 @ 10:39 pm

    Carrie, on a totally different subject … since we’re in Lent, I’ve been thinking about this …
    do you avoid soy products altogether? I try, but … :-)

    Hoping that sometime after you’ve covered ALL the other stuff, you’ll tackle Lenten choices in line with your way of eating. Thanks! (I already told you I love your blog, right? I love your blog!)

  3. MommaofMany
    April 9th, 2008 @ 9:57 pm

    I make a smoothie for my children almost every day. This morning we had a chocolate smoothie (still healthy, believe it or not), toast made from homemade bread, spread with raw butter and peanut butter, and an orange. Yummy!

  4. Icon Girl
    April 9th, 2008 @ 10:59 pm

    Thanks for the reminder! I forget how easy and tasty this combination is!

    S makes his power-smoothie every morning to get him through his physically demanding job:
    1 c. (soy or almond) milk, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 Banana, 1 generous spoon of tahini or coconut oil

    sometimes he uses a dollop of peanut butter or a scoop of green drink, but the stuff we used to buy is now over $30 a container.

    Carrie, do you ever buy organic “green drink”? If so, do you have an affordable source?

  5. Kimberly
    April 12th, 2008 @ 11:06 am

    With summer coming soon and the variety of fruits available, I need to remember the smoothy option for those “snack” moments. Thanks for the recipe. I must admit, however, that I’m not as healthy as you Carrie, but your blog is definitely inspiring.

  6. Kelly the Kitchen Kop
    April 13th, 2008 @ 10:48 am

    I second the first commenter: maple syrup is a great sweetener for smoothies. Then if you use the coconut milk (or oil) along with frozen pineapples, it tastes like a pina colada!

  7. Thrifty, Real Food Breakfasts for Busy Moms : Organic & Thrifty
    August 5th, 2009 @ 2:28 am

    [...] The Smoothie Recipe and the Coconut Honey Muffin [...]

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