blood orange smoothie

Blood Orange Smoothie

1 banana

1 blood orange, peeled and sections separated

scant 1/4 c shredded coconut

handful spinach

handful ice cubes

enough orange juice to blend

This is one of the most flavorful smoothies I have made yet! It is only for those who like coconut, though, as it lends a certain texture to smoothies.

Have you made anything with blood oranges this winter? I've always enjoyed winter citrus, but this year is the first I've experimented with blood oranges. I'll have more later on this week. (If you follow me on Instagram, you know what's coming.)

blue smoothie

blue smoothie

1 banana

1 handful baby spinach (approximately 3/4 cup)

2 T oats

1 1/2 T peanut butter

1/2 c frozen blueberries (I buy these at the farmers market in the summer and freeze in small bags)

3 oz. nonfat plain Greek yogurt

3/4 c almond milk, or more as needed to blend

handful ice

Place in blender in order given and blend well. Makes two servings. 

simple green smoothie

After the holiday eating and being sick, I was eager to make smoothies with the strawberries and spinach that I'd picked up at the farmers market.

Simple Green Smoothie:

1 banana

2 handfuls baby spinach (approximately 3/4 cup packed baby spinach)

8 medium sized strawberries 

two handfuls of ice

3/4 cup orange juice

I typically start with the softest ingredients on the bottom and place the heavier, denser ingredients in the middle, with ice on the top, and liquid in last. 

This recipe made two servings. 

I went a little heavy on the orange juice. I usually throw in whatever I have on hand for smoothies; some of my other favorites ingredients are: blueberries, plain greek yogurt, almond milk, peanut butter, and oats.

I got this Tervis tumbler in my stocking. You can never have enough Tervis tumblers, and, well, we already had all of the other ECU designs. 

Do you drink smoothies? What are your favorite ingredients? 

winter farmers market

Off of work for a few days, I am mostly lounging around and fighting a cold, but I felt a little better yesterday. I talked my mom into going to the farmers market with me, hoping to find some citrus fruit for ice rings and punch. Instead, we had a fantastic fried shrimp lunch at the NC Seafood Restaurant and purchased apples, strawberries, and spinach. 

I have already snacked on an apple and used the berries and spinach in a smoothie. I plan to eat the spinach in salads, too.

I learned from my dad this summer that NC produces plenty of apples. In the winter time, the varieties available increase significantly. I tried Pink Lady apples first yesterday, then the farmer suggested this Cameo variety. They are great!

I was disappointed to have missed strawberry season this summer, but I was pleasantly surprised to find strawberries yesterday. These are "winter berries" from Lewis Nursery and Farms. According to this chart, I should be able to find NC grown strawberries all but three months of the year! What good news!

What are your favorite winter time farmers market finds?