Recipe: Smoothies!

I have noticed so many new smoothie products in the freezer section at Meijer lately and I had to try one out of curiosity.  I thought there had to be something new and super tasty in these that I don't usually put in my homemade smoothies...I mean it they are $2.99.  Guess what, its exactly the same except for that price you get 2 small smoothies and barely any fruit.

Here's my smoothie technique.  Nothing too elaborate, but it's way cheaper than Jamba juice or those freezer smoothies.  Homemade smoothies tend to be better because you can control the ingredients and sugar. 

Ashleigh's Smoothie Kits

Makes at least 4 big smoothies, these kits are baggies you put in the freezer ready for one smoothie at a time

• Big container of yogurt (16-32oz size).  Whatever flavor you like. Best choices tend to be simple like strawberry, raspberry or plain/vanilla
• Juice, once again whatever you want.  Best choices: apple, orange or pineapple. 
• Fruit: fresh or frozen, doesnt matter.  Aldi has some frozen fruit in their Fit n' Active brand which I love.  Banana doesn't freeze well unless sliced with other fruit.  I usually just add a banana when making my smoothie.

1.  In a bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine 1.5 cups of yogurt and 1 cup of juice.  If you like extra sweetness add a touch of agave nectar or sugar (not necessary at all)
• Note: if you want a super large batch, use 3 cups of yogurt and 2 cups of juice
2.  Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
3. Once frozen, break the cubes into baggies, sandwich ones work great.  These have to stay separate from other fruit.  3-4 per baggie works best. 
4. In a pint size baggie, put 2 cups of fruit and then the baggie of juice cubes.  You want to keep them seperate, or it makes a huge frozen clump which is hard to break down in the blender.
5. When you want to make them, just put everything in the blender with a banana (if wanted) and an extra splash of juice
6. Enjoy!

Great combos:

• Mango, banana & raspberry
• Blueberry & Pineapple
• Strawberry & Banana
• Mango, Strawberry & Raspberry

Be creative!  Frozen fruit works just as well as fresh.  If you ever see fresh fruit on markdown at the store, stock up and freeze it! 

Yumm, I could go for one right now!  Smoothies are also great if you are under the weather and cannot eat much.  It's an easy way to get some vitamins in your system.

Try it out and let me know how they turned out!