Okla-Homemade (Spring)

Spring Blends

Smoothies are the perfect kitchen experiment. Most often I do not use a recipe, I simply add what I have on hand—and what sounds good at the moment—and blend. I taste. If I am not satisfied, I add in a few more berries for flavor, a date for sweetness, nut butter for richness, or more liquid for drinkability and blend again.

It is nearly impossible to fail at smoothie making.

I love smoothies all year round, but the early spring weather we have had in Oklahoma begs for the taste of spring produce. I find that I can achieve the best smoothie consistency with frozen fruits. So until the berry patches are ripe, we are using up our frozen berries from last year’s trip to Thunderbird Berry Farm as we blend up our first tastes of spring.

Almost anything goes when it comes to smoothie ingredients and I have had incredible results with unexpected mix ins. The Choco Banana Smoothie is an after-school favorite in our house. It is both nutritious and decadent—the perfect way to fill little tummies after school. The Berry Smoothie is perfect for a quick breakfast. The addition of cauliflower adds thickness and the taste goes undetected. My kids love the taste of honey so I always drizzle a little on their individual glasses just before serving.

To create more of a meal, I turn my smoothie into a smoothie bowl. My favorite is listed below, but any smoothie can be turned into a smoothie bowl. The topping possibilities are endless. I most frequently add sliced fruit, granola, toasted flaked coconut, goji berries, bee pollen and hemp seeds and am always experimenting with new ideas. The creamy liquid combined with the crunch of the topping is not only delicious but completely satisfying.

I keep things new and ever changing by using a simple smoothie formula. I let my kids choose what goes in, try something new or add in whatever we have left at home. This simple combination of liquids, fruits and veggies allows you to create a smoothie that is completely your own. Don’t be afraid to add something new and unexpected. You might just surprise yourself and your family. And if not, just add more of what you do like and blend again.

All of these smoothies work best in a high-powered blender.

Choose Your Own Adventure Smoothie

Start with 1 cup coconut water
Splash (about ¼ cup) of milk (cow, coconut and almond are our favorites) OR plain yogurt/kefir
2 cups of fruit of choice (my kids’ favorite combo is 1 whole orange, berries and pineapple)
Handful of veggie of choice (kale, spinach, ½ beet, riced cauliflower)
Blend and add ice, liquid, fruit and continue blending until desired consistency

When we are busy and on the go we have a few favorite local spots we hit up for our favorite blended beverages:

Ediblend—My family and I have been regulars at Ediblend since it opened. They have an excellent variety of “blends” and to-go food. I love the Detox Green, Berry Beet and Dirty Blonde. My kids love the Sweet Greens, Tropical Orange and the Chocolate or Strawberry “blendezz” (a smaller bottled blend created for kids, but I think they are delicious too). Ediblend.com

Pure Food and Juice—With their new Brookside location now open, Pure Food and Juice is another great place pick up a juice or smoothie. My kids love the Hot Pink for its name and amazing bright pink color. I love the Dragonfruit and Blueberry Dream Smoothies. PureFoodAndJuice.com

Nutrify—In south Tulsa, Nutrify offers juices and smoothies to please everyone in our family as well. I love the Alkaliser for a refreshing juice with a ginger kick, and the Peanut Butter Pleasure for a filling breakfast smoothie. NutrifyCafe.com