Tropical Green Smoothie

It may be after Labor Day, but summer is not over.

I know Labor Day is considered the unofficial ending of summer, but can we just forget about that?  'Cause summer is very much still here and that's why you should make a cool, refreshing Tropical Green Smoothie and then sip it while out in the sunshine.

Don't try to tell me that it's out of season and that what I should be posting is some pumpkin thing because pumpkin is for fall and it's summer right now.  Smoothies are for summer, not pumpkin.

As you can, summer is very much still here in my mind.  I'm not accepting that it's fall until it's actually fall, and that will be on the 22nd of September.  Until then, I'm going to be throwing plenty of summer recipes at you, and they're awesome recipes so you're gonna be plenty happy.

Just forget about that pumpkin for a couple days, k?  I love pumpkin too, god knows I do, but I'm doing my best to keep it to a minimum until the actual season begins.  Buuuut maybe I'll throw in some pumpkin earlier too.  We'll see.

Back to the smoothie.  I've had a love-hate thing going on with green smoothies for a while now, I've had some really bad ones, and I've had some really great ones.  So, ya know, I was on the fence.  But that I just had to make one for myself and it was so pretty and delicious that I've decided green smoothie are my new best friend.  Plus, I just got a vitamix (!!!!!) so there's gonna be some intense smoothie making going on now.

As for this recipe, it's sweet and just slightly sour from the lemon juice.  It's got a gorgeous green color and it's super easy to make.  Here's a tip:  If you don't have a high power blender, blend the water and spinach first and then add everythign else.

Get blending!

Tropical Green Smoothie

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup frozen pinapple
• 1/4 cup frozen mango
• handful of fresh baby spinach
• juice of up to 1/2 lemon (use more or less based on how sour you want it)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  If you don't have a super powerful blender, add just the water and spinach first.  Blend until the spinach is completely broken down and then add remaining ingredients.  Pour into a glass and serve right away.  Makes one serving, or two smoothie "shots".

Revisited Recipe of the Day:

Strawberry Blueberry Protein Smoothie

Spicy Roasted Pineapple Sweet Potatoes

What do I make that doesn't contain chocolate?

Well, to be quite honest, not much.  My mom takes care of most of the actual cooking in the house.  I'm bake dessert, she makes dinner.  That's just the way it is.

But sometimes it's good to switch things up.

I made this sweet potato dish all by myself.  I didn't look at any recipes, didn't ask Mom for help, and didn't burn the house down either.  Oh yeah, and it tasted really good too.

Success.

Spicy Roasted Pineapple Sweet Potatoes

• 3 large/5 small sweet potatoes
• 1 20 oz can pineapple chunks in pineapple juice (no sugar added)
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice, taken from can
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp cayenne (if you like things really spicy you can add more)

Preheat oven to 400F.  Peel and chop sweet potatoes.  Remove pineapple chunks from can, making sure not to discard the juice in the can.  Place sweet potatoes and pineapple chunks on a baking sheet.  Add pineapple juice (from can), olive oil, and cayenne on top.  Toss to coat.  Bake for 30 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender.  Remove from oven to toss every 10 minutes while then roast.  Serves 4 as a side dish/

My whole family gobbled these potatoes + pineapple chunks up.  It's a simple, but incredibly delicious dish.  Enjoy!

Revisited Recipe of the Day:

Cinnamon Sweet Potato Chips

Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie

This smoothie with transport you to the tropics.

You will feel like you're on the beach, with the waves lapping at your heels and the sun beating down of your face.

Don't blame me if you actually end up in Hawaii.  Because this smoothie tastes so good, I bet you just might.

Fresh pineapple, frozen berries, and a healthy protein boost make it the perfect breakfast or snack for a hot summer day.

Or, the world's cheapest plane ticket to paradise.

Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie - based on this recipe
(makes one serving)

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup fresh pineapple
• 1/3 cup egg whites (or, for a vegan version, omit and add an equal amount of non-dairy milk)
• 1/3 cup milk (I use soy milk)
• 1 tbsp ground flax

Put all your ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth.  If your blender is not strong enough you may need to thaw or cut up the strawberries first.  Once blended, enjoy!

Lather on some sunscreen, grab a towel, and get ready to relax because just one sip of this refreshing and delicious smoothie will magically bring you to your dream location spot.

No, really.

You'll be basking in the sun before you even know it!