Cran-Razz Banana Protein Smoothie

I'm excited to share this post with you.  I decided to take part in the Chobani
challenge to see what you can create with leftovers....

We have plans to spend the winter in Florida so I have been trying to use up much of what I have in the freezer and pantry. 

Since I had some cranberries, banana slices and a few raspberries in the freezer, I decided to add some Chobani Greek Yogurt and make a tasty smoothie. I also added a little cottage cheese for added creaminess and protein.

M-M-M-M Good!

Oh how I love the creamy texture of Chobani Greek Yogurt!! It's very delicious and they have so many varieties to try. 

I also love that Chobani Greek Yogurt has NO articificial flavors or sweeteners, and NO preservatives!  It also has THREE kinds of probiotics and at least 11 grams of protein. 

YAY Baby!  Bring it on!!!

Here's the basic ingredients I used to make this luscious smoothie. 

Do hope you'll enjoy this healthy drink soon too. It's filling and I think the flavor combo is awesome. It's #MadeWithChobani! 

CRAN-RAZZ BANANA PROTEIN SMOOTHIE 

1/2 c. cranberries, fresh or frozen, partially thawed
1/2 c. partially frozen raspberries
1/2 - 1 banana 
(I keep slices frozen on hand)
1/2 c. coconut milk
(use almond or 2%)
1/2 c. water
1 (6 ozs) container CHOBANI strawberry/banana Greek yogurt
1/4 c. cottage cheese
(it gets obliterated in the blender) 
2 - 3 pkts. Stevia or Truvia
(or could use a big squirt of honey) 

Place all ingredients in the blender. Cover; blend until smooth and frothy. 
Add ice cubes or more liquid to make it the consistency you want. 

Yield: about 2 servings 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

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Overnight Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal (Healthy Options)

If you've followed my blog very long, you already know I'm a lover of all things OATMEAL!

Especially if I can cook it overnight in the crockpot and have it ready and waiting for me in the morning!

It's an inviting way to get the kids out of bed in the morning! *-*

Hubby even commented how much he loved this wonderful breakfast, and that was a real surprise as I didn't expect him to. (He's just not the oatmeal lover I am)

I did use steel cut oats - I suggest that for best results. I have used old fashioned or 7 grain oatmeal for overnight cooking, but this had the perfect! texture.  

I loved the smoothness and creaminess that using coconut milk AND coconut oil adds. 

I always use my plug in 'light timer' to use for overnight cooking.  I can set it to turn on after I go to bed, and turn off before I wake up. 

The sweetness from the apples plus the maple syrup I added made it the perfect sweetness - no extra sweetner/sugar needed for us. You can always add more sugar, stevia, truvia, or your favorite sweetener after it's cooked. 

Using the crockpot is insanely brilliant - mixing everything up the night before and walking away....Gotta LOVE that!! 

Thanks to Jordan at The Fitchen where I saw this yummy recipe. I adapted her recipe and we think it's perfect.  

OVERNIGHT CINNAMON APPLE OATMEAL 

2 apples, cored, peeled and diced

1-1/2 c. (lite) coconut milk

1-1/2 c. water

1 c. steel cut oats

1 Tb. brown sugar

1 Tb. dry cooked (sugar free) vanilla or coconut pudding mix, optional

(for added creaminess)

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg, optional

1 Tb. (sugar free) maple syrup

1 Tb. coconut oil

1/4 tsp. sea salt

Spray crock of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. (This made it oh so easy to clean up!) 

Add all ingredients to crock, combining brown sugar and cinnamon together separately before adding...so cinnamon doesn't clump up. 

Cook on low for 5 - 7 hours. (Ours was just great after 6 hours). 

Top with raisins, fresh apple chunks, banana slices, or (toasted) pecans

Yield: 6 - 8 servings

To make 4 - 5 servings use these measurements 

2 apples, cored, peeled & diced

1 c. (lite) coconut milk

1 c. water

3/4 c. steel cut oats

2 tsp. brown sugar
1 Tb. dry cooked vanilla pudding mix, optional

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

dash of nutmeg

2 tsp. maple syrup 

2 tsp. coconut oil 

few dashes sea salt

Linked to Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Weekend Potluck
        GBP Roundup - Breakfasts
  GBP Roundup - Apples
Full Plate Thursday

You might also enjoy this 
Crockpot Coconut Pecan Pie Oatmeal

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3 "Healthy Choice" Beverages {Blast from the Past}

Just like the kind at the mall, only better! Think...Creamsicle! 

Copycat Orange Julius (WW Points)

You'll think you're sitting under swaying palm trees when you enjoy this tasty treat!!

Lowfat Pina Colada Smoothie (No sugar added)

You'll never know the flaxseeds are there - they add high protein & fiber. 

The banana/blueberry combo is delightful!

Blueberry Banana Flaxseed Smooothie

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Pina Colada Oatmeal Smoothies

We drink a lot (!) of smoothies at our house.  Sometimes hubs just isn't in the       mood for a warm breakfast and so we'll share a smoothie. 

I was so happy to see this recipe at Calculus to Cupcakes. The recipe comes down the line from Martha Stewart...somewhere back in it's beginnings. I LOVE Pina Colada anything....and had everything on hand too.  That always makes a recipe a winner with me. 

And it's a healthier recipe.  That always grabs me by the neck too. 

The Greek Yogurt adds protein, the oatmeal adds some more, and I even added half a scoop of protein powder too.  Not only delicious, but it will sustain us for the morning too. 

Just in case you've never had oatmeal in a smoothie before, the oatmeal gets ground up and you don't even notice it. 

This recipe makes 4 servings, but can easily be halved. 

PINA COLADA OATMEAL SMOOTHIES

2 -1/2 c. pineapple

1 c. fat free Greek yogurt

1 c. dry oats

1 - 14 ozs. can light coconut milk
2 bananas, peeled and sliced
1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional

2 c. ice

Place all ingredients except protein powder & ice into the container of a blender or food processor.  Process/blend until smooth.  Add the p.powder & ice and process/blend until it reaches the desired consistency you love most.

Pour, Serve & Enjoy!! 

Linked to Weekend Potluck
             Scrumptious Sunday
             Gooseberry Patch Roundup - Smoothies

                                                                 

{Skinny} Caramel Pumpkin Spice Frappe (& Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Latte)

Oh how I love me some coffee...

HOT or COLD. 

Just the smell of it brewing in the morning makes my heart do a flip flop 
and gets me going.

(Just so you know...we 'do' coffee in our home the scriptural way...
HE BREWS....=)  

I also love caramel...and pumpkin...and these yummy fall spices. 

This cold coffee drink is creamy and sweet...reminds you of pumpkin pie!

With whipped cream even!!!! 

I have to admit though...I'm not sure where I found this lovely recipe. 

Even after I googled it...there are soooo many similar recipes to be found, so I just have to say...

I'M SORRY to the one whose recipe this originally belonged to.

(UPDATE: I found out where I saw this recipe and want to give credit to
Peanut Butter and Peppers  for her "Drink Your Pie" recipe!!
Thanks so much Jennifer!)

I adapted it anyway....the original recipe didn't call for the caramel, but since I have sugar-free caramel coffee syrup on hand, I wanted to add it to make this even more special....more ME. *I*  

IT.WAS.SO.GOOOOOD!

Hope you enjoy it soon...maybe drinking it on the back deck on a cool fall morning?  Whatever time of day you choose to treat yourself, you're sure to be happy you tried it.  It's great that you can use decaf if you want to sip it in the evening. You might even considering sharing with a friend??? If you can.....
If you MUST.  

I had coconut milk in the pantry, but no doubt, you can substitute whatever you have on hand....2%...almond milk....1/2 & 1/2...whatever...
the creamier, the better. 

You just need to plan ahead because, for best results, the coffee needs to be partially frozen.

(don't worry...it really isn't going to spill being sideways like that=) 

SKINNY CARAMEL PUMPKIN SPICE FRAPPE

1-1/2 c. coffee, frozen, partially thawed 

(I had some caramel VIA Starbucks single serve packets - I used 1-1/2)

3 Tb. pumpkin, canned

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
(click here for my homemade recipe for p.p.spice)

1 tsp. granulated stevia 

(Or add liquid to taste)

1/2 c. unsweetened coconut milk
(I added a little more for consistency)

1/2 tsp. (Torani) caramel coffee syrup, optional
(I have sugar free)

2 Tb. whipped cream, fat free

1 dash ground cinnamon 

fat free caramel ice cream topping...just for pampering

In a blender, add coffee, pumpkin, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, stevia, coconut milk

and caramel syrup.  Blend til smooth. Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and sprinkle of cinnamon and drizzle with caramel. 

Yield: 2+ cups

And just in case you are so inclined, you'd prefer something hot, here's
my recipe for Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Your house will smell heavenly while this simmers.  

Linked to Mix it up Monday
             Mop it up Monday
             Whatcha Whipped up Wednesday
Weekend Potluck