It’s hard to mess up a smoothie in my opinion. Once you get a basic formula down, and you’re using a blend of naturally sweet fruit with yogurt, milk or a little juice, then really the sky is the limit as far as combinations go. If you look in my freezer you could pretty much always find a few bags of frozen fruit ready to be put into a blender. Though I love to eat fresh fruit daily, frozen fruit is usually my go to when it comes to smoothies because I find that it makes them extra creamy and thick, and keeps them extra cold.

How do you make a smoothie with yogurt?

First, you need a blender! There are so many great blenders on the market these days. I’ve been using my Blendtec (affiliate link) for so many years, it’s high powered and worth the investment in my opinion (tip: buy a refurbished one if you can!). You could also use a Vitamix, Ninja, or Magic Bullet blender.

If your blender isn’t a high powered blender, then I suggest you let the frozen fruit sit in your blender jar a few minutes to defrost and slightly soften up to make it easier to blend. Always add your liquids to the jar first, then layer with your softest to hardest fruits to get a better blend.

Is Greek yogurt good in smoothies?

Yes! What I love about making smoothie recipes with Greek yogurt is the added protein. Greek yogurt typically has around 10 – 15 g of protein per half cup, depending on the brand. Depending on the flavor, it will have sugar and carbs too, so watch for that. If you are drinking a smoothie as a post workout drink your body needs the carbs so fruit and yogurt can provide them. A Greek yogurt fruit smoothie makes a great post-workout recovery drink!

These days, there are so many recipes that include Greek yogurt, the options are endless. I even went a little crazy and baked up a version of these Peach Yogurt Muffins for my kids (I really need to do that more often, why oh why don’t I like to bake?).

More smoothie recipes to try:

Refreshing Cantaloupe Smoothie

Cinnamon Pear Green Smoothie

My Green Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Smoothie | Add A Pinch

Pear Me Up Smoothie | Picky Palate

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 6 reviews

Fruity Greek Yogurt Smoothie

• Author: Aggies Kitchen
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 smoothie
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Blender

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Ingredients

• 1 cup pineapple Greek yogurt (I used Chobani)
• couple of splashes of your favorite milk (nut milk or cow milk)
• 1/2 banana
• 1/4 cup frozen mango
• 1/4 cup frozen sliced peaches

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Instructions

1. Place ingredients into blender starting with Greek yogurt and milk and ending with frozen fruit. Let sit for a few minutes to let frozen fruit defrost just slightly (for easier blending).
2. Blend and enjoy.

Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Smoothie & Fresh Juice Love on Pinterest.

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Click here to pin this Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe!

This recipe for Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad was originally shared in May 2011 (6 years ago!). I’ve updated this post with new photos for you. It’s still one of my favorite salads and one I’ve been enjoying a lot lately.

Let me introduce you to my salad of the week. Well, let’s say, salad of the season. Because it’s not going anywhere for a while.

I was originally inspired to make this salad for the first time many years ago after seeing it on my friend Tina’s site after she suggested it to me and I have craved it oh so often ever since.

I know salads like this Strawberry Spinach Salad have been floating around for awhile so it’s not the most original recipe. But what I want you to do is look at it more from a nutritional stand point than just as a salad plate. I always seem to fall back on this salad when I’m trying to really lighten up a meal without missing out on flavor and a nutritional boost.

I felt like eating this on it’s own tonight, but it would be perfect with some grilled shrimp, chicken or fish.

So when I say look at this plate of goodness from more of a nutritional standpoint this is what I mean. I don’t always feel like eating a salad. For some reason making at a salad at home is the last thing I want to do. I love eating them out, but at home, eh, too much work maybe? Silly, I know. But when you see how good for you a plate like this is, you can’t help but start to crave it. Well, at least that’s how I work.

Healthy Spinach Strawberry Salad with Walnuts

Spinach (source: Livestrong.com)

• low calorie
• one cup contains more than daily requirements of vitamin K, vitamin A
• high in manganese, folate and magnesium
• excellent source of dietary fiber, calcium and protein
• contains cancer fighting antioxidants
• is known to promote cardiovascular health with high levels of magnesium that can lower high blood pressure levels

Strawberries (source: Livestrong.com)

• rich source of vitamins such as vitamin A, B-complex, C and E
• reduces inflammation in the body
• has higher levels of vitamin C than oranges
• powerful antioxidant
• healthy dose of dietary fiber that aids in reducing bad cholesterol

Walnuts (source: BBC News)

• highest level of antioxidant than any other nut
• great source of protein and omega-3

Like this Spinach Strawberry Salad? Pin It Here!

See what I mean? Good stuff.

I can’t not talk about the salad dressing here. We go through a lot of jelly jars in my house thanks to our healthy obsession with PB&Js so I find myself with almost empty jars pretty often. When the jar has that tiny bit of jelly left at the bottom is the best time to pull it aside to make a salad dressing – right in the jar. I use condiment jars to make vinaigrettes often, like this Mustard and Herb Vinaigrette, and the ideas are pretty endless when you are a condiment collector like we are. So simple, so good.

More homemade vinaigrettes to try:

Clementine Vinaigrette

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 6 reviews

Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

• Author: Aggie's Kitchen
• Yield: 1 salad
• Category: Salads, Salad Dressings

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This Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette is classic – and full of nutrition! One of my favorite salads ever.

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Ingredients

For the salad:

• 2 cups (handfuls) of fresh spinach
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 8 walnut halves, rough chopped
• 1 oz crumbled gorgonzola (about a 1/4 of plastic container)
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/3 avocado, sliced (optional)

For the vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon raspberry (or other berry) preserves
• 1 teaspoons stone ground mustard

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Instructions

To prepare salad:

1. Layer each ingredient on a large salad plate. Serve with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.

To make Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette:

1. Combine ingredients in a jar or tightly sealed container. Shake vigorously until well combined.

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Notes

Recipe inspired and adapted from Mommy’s Kitchen

Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Homemade Salad Dressings on Pinterest.

The post Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette appeared first on Aggie's Kitchen.

These Tropical Overnight Oats were created in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill.

For the most part, I’m a savory egg and toast kind of breakfast girl. When the weather warms up though, I go through phases of cold and sweet fruit-filled breakfast cravings, specifically overnight oats like these Tropical Overnight Oats I’ve been enjoying this week. I don’t remember exactly when I started making overnight oats, but I’ve been hooked for some time now. I love saving the last of peanut butter jars for an extra special breakfast concoction that I can’t wait to dig into after I get home from the gym in the morning. Seriously so so good.

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Grapes are most definitely a favorite fruit in our household, I’m sure in many other households as well – and for good reason too. They are the perfect bite-sized fruit snack! Can you believe on 3/4 cup of red, green or black grapes contains only 90 calories? Not to mention, they are a natural source of beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols. Grapes are big winners when it comes to healthy choices that also taste GREAT!

I’m excited to partner up with Grapes From California and KitchenPlay to invite you to participate in the “Endless Possiblities with Grapes from California” Twitter party on October 13, 2015 at 9PM EST (6PM PST). (I’ll be there!) With California Grapes still in season through January, we will be sharing recipes and ideas to inspire you to add grapes to more of your meals and snacks all season long. Follow the hashtag #GrapesfromCA for some deliciously fresh grape ideas and plenty of chances to win cash prizes!

Don’t forget to register for the Twitter party (so you are eligible to win!) and follow Grapes From California on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

To get your grape ideas flowing, here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy and serve California grapes. The ideas are truly endless!

1. Smoothies – grapes in smoothies are awesome! Add a small handful of grapes to your favorite smoothie for a little added color and sweetness.
2. Salads – my mom got me hooked on adding grapes to salads, she adds them every time! Think grapes, crumbled gorgonzola and walnuts…mmmm.
3. Frozen – frozen grapes make the perfect healthy treat to satisfy late night cravings for something sweet. Eat them poolside to cool down or add them like ice cubes to your drinks.
4. On a cheese plate – you will always find a bunch of grapes when I’m entertaining and serving a cheese plate. Grapes and cheese are the best of friends, always remember that!
5. Breakfast – slice up some grapes to top your morning peanut butter toast or add them whole to a hot bowl of oatmeal.
6. Lunchboxes – my favorite fruit to add to my children’s lunchboxes. Just wash and throw into a container.
7. Snacks – my favorite snack right now is cottage cheese, grapes and sunflower seeds. Every afternoon!
8. Roasted – I have yet to actually try this on my own, but my good friend raves about a roasted sausage with grapes recipe she makes. I can’t stop thinking about it! I would think roasted grapes would be an amazing topping for crostini smeared with goat cheese too.

(Disclosure:  This post was written in partnership with Grapes From California via KitchenPlay. I was compensated for my time.)

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Once upon a time I was 30+weeks pregnant and said to myself more than a few times — I can’t wait to lose this pregnancy weight! It’s going to be fun, like a game! I’ve done this before, it won’t be hard! I’m going to walk with the baby in the stroller so much the weight is just going to melt off! I’m going to get fit in no time!

Clearly, I was a bit mental at the time. What in the world. Crazy pants.

Now here I am 20+ weeks post partum and I can not even believe how out of shape I am. I’m so low energy and just feel bleh all the time. Pair that up with not sleeping well most nights, I pretty much feel like a mess lately. Oh and it’s full on spring in Florida right now and let’s just say black yoga pants just aren’t cutting it anymore. Something has to be done here.

So I’m committed. I’m committed to exercising in some capacity every day (even if it is just a quick stroller walk with my baby). I need to be selfish with my workouts, it’s very important “me time”. I got back in the gym last week. I also got myself jogging a bit over the weekend (that felt GOOD!). Things have to change and it’s starting first with my attitude —

I need to be telling myself things like:

Just do it!
No more excuses!
and on the days I’m feeling down… What are you going to do about it? (this one is key)

So far it’s working.

I got this. But dang, it’s hard!

I’ve been making this kefir smoothie in the afternoons lately for my car ride to pick up the kids from school. It gives me exactly what I need to hold me over until dinner and I like to believe it gives me a little energy boost too. Micah’s not a huge fan of the blender so I have been avoiding making smoothies for a few months. Now when I turn the blender on I have to put on a really happy funny face to distract him from that “loud scary noise”. You gotta do what you gotta do right?

If you’re not familiar with kefir, it’s very similar to yogurt and can be found in the dairy aisle most likely near the milks. I discovered it a couple years ago when I was on the 17 Day Diet (…for 14 days). It’s a probiotic, has a good amount of protein and calcium, and is a great option for an afternoon snack. I personally like it’s natural tartness but feel free to add a little honey or sweetener of choice if that’s your thing.

Happy Monday!

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Did you all have a nice Easter weekend? I took some time off online the last couple of weeks, enjoying Spring Break with my fam. Hard to believe we are heading into the last 9 weeks of our school year here, I feel like the time after Spring Break always zips by and next thing you know it’ll summer.

But let’s not move too far ahead yet. Is it finally safe to say Spring has Sprung yet?? If it hasn’t yet by you, please, make yourself this smoothie, close your eyes and picture yourself somewhere warm and sunny. I promise, it will work. The weather seems to be cruel this year in parts of the country, I truly feel bad for anyone still dealing with low temps and even (I really can’t believe it) snow. It’s just not fair.

I’ve been in a major smoothie making mood lately. I love this time of year when it seems like our grocery produce section is bursting with so much color. I’m truly happy to see it, especially all the melons and berries. My favorite kind of smoothies are simple, a combination of fresh (and sometimes frozen) fruit, a splash of juice or water, and a handful of ice. I have learned that the order you put your ingredients into your blender really help how your smoothie blends – start with your liquid, then your softest or juciest fruits, then add the rest of your fruit and ice. You basically want to have a good base of liquid working in your blender base so that all your ingredients have a chance to incorporate without burning out your blender. I put all the ingredients in at the same time, just in layers following that order.

Hope you enjoy this bright and refreshing smoothie today!

And oh…by the way. I’ve got some happy and exciting news to share. It’s been hard keeping it a secret, and I’m finally ready to let you know that this upcoming September there will be a new little addition to the Aggie’s Kitchen family. Yep! You heard right….our little family is growing and we are thrilled. 🙂

I’m officially out of the first trimester cave I’ve been living in. I was hit pretty hard by the typical first tri stuff and am so happy to be finally feeling like my old self again this week! Food is my friend once again.

Especially smoothies just like this cantaloupe smoothie 🙂

Cantaloupe Smoothie

Yield: 1 smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 clementine or small orange, cut into segments or chunks
• 1/4 cantaloupe, cut into chunks
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 6 ice cubes

Directions:

1. Place fruit in blender starting with your softest and juiciest pieces. Top with ice cubes. Blend and enjoy!

More smoothies for you to love:

Cinnamon Pear Green Smoothie

Fruity Greek Yogurt Smoothie

You Are My Sunshine Smoothie

The post Refreshing Cantaloupe Smoothie (and oh by the way…) appeared first on Aggie's Kitchen.

I discovered this amazing pineapple salsa a few years back when my friend Heidi brought it to one of our get togethers. I’ve made it several times since (when I’m not asking Heidi to make it for me) and it’s always enjoyed by everyone. Really, what’s not to love when you combine fresh pineapple with lime, jalapenos and cilantro – each bite truly makes your taste buds sing. Or break out into a little dance. Or whatever suits your fancy.

This pineapple salsa was part of a spread I put together for my husband Larry’s 40th birthday bash this past weekend. We celebrated my husband with all of his favorite things – food being a big part of it obviously. Our good friend, Rich, worked his smoker the day before the party cooking up a ridiculous amount of pork and beef that we served sandwich style with horsey sauce along with several bottles of Larry’s favorite barbecue sauces. In addition to this salsa there was this Cucumber and Feta Greek Yogurt Dip paired up with pita chips (my weakness!) as well as tomato and mozzarella skewers and fresh fruit skewers. We also picked up some glorious macaroni and cheese and cornbread salad from our favorite local BBQ place. There was some good eating going on.

To say we had a great time would be an understatement. It brought me such pleasure to see my husband surrounded by all of his favorite people, dancing to his favorite music, watching clips from his favorite videos on the big screen, drinking his favorite drinks, eating his favorite food. Larry provided the entertainment – because in case you didn’t know, that’s what he’s good at – and we partied the night away. Since his birthday isn’t actually until this Friday, the 8th, the celebration continues this week…but in a little more low key let’s-go-out-for-fondue-with-the-kids kind of way.

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My kids have been out of school now for summer vacation for just under 2 weeks. Despite the unusually heavy amount of rain we’ve been getting every day, we are still getting in a good amount of pool time along with movie, library and bowling dates in the afternoons. We usually have those afternoon dates planned to get out of the heat, however, it seems like these days its to get out of the house and stay dry (in some sense).

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{Giveaway Now Closed}

I’ve mentioned a few times that we are a smoothie family. Smoothie making definitely got a little easier after the addition of our Blendtec blender, but I’ll be honest, we were making smoothies regularly way before that happened. My blender has always been my friend.

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The post You Are My Sunshine Smoothie and Blogging For Fishes {Cookbook Giveaway} appeared first on Aggie's Kitchen.

My kids went back to school yesterday. I seriously can’t believe our summer break is officially over…though our summer surely isn’t. It’s still hotter than heck and not much is changing for a while other than our schedule.

One of the best parts of summer, other than the obviously fun activities that come along with it, is definitely the fruit. You can’t beat summer fruit. Especially peaches. Gosh, do I love peaches. My favorite are the ones that come from Georgia and the Carolinas…those are the ones I look for around this time of year, they smell so darn good. I love popping one in the fridge to chill for a couple of hours then slicing it up into a glass of red wine…that’s my grandpa’s version of dessert…and that’s another post for another day.

My kids and I have been playing with our new Blendtec the last few weeks. We are blending up everything in sight. One hot afternoon, my daughter and I made this juice. Just like most 4 year old girls, my daughter loves anything pink. When asked what ice cream flavor or smoothie flavor she wants, her response is always “pink”. Not strawberry, but pink.

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