Snowy Morning Smoothies

     I don't know why, but when snow is predicted overnight, I have difficulty sleeping.  I wake up frequently and I'm compelled to look out the window.  It sort of makes sense if I had to go to work in the morning, but last night was Friday night, and whether it snowed or not really didn't matter.  Once I established in my brain that it was indeed snowing, I decided it would be a good morning to sleep in.  I tried, but Paul has been waking up early these days.  He has been very ambitious, tackling some long put off projects around the house.  But seriously folks, 5:00AM on a weekend???  He's not particularly loud or anything, he just pops his head in the bedroom every half hour or so, and if I stir, that gives him permission to speak.  
"Do you want me to make you a cup of coffee to drink in bed?"  
"No" I grumbled, not wanting to engage in conversation.  
About half an hour passed, "Do you want bagels this morning?" he asked.
"Why would I want bagels while I am sleeping (hint, hint)?  Besides, why would you want to eat bagels at all?"
     We've been making an effort to eat healthier this year and bagels with cream cheese doesn't fit the bill.  Actually, rather than feel totally deprived, we are trying to eat healthy Monday through Friday, reserving occasional indulgences for the weekend or special occasions.  Bagels just seem like an unnecessary indulgence so early in the game.  In a desperate attempt to get a little more sleep, I told him I would make him a smoothie when I got up.  He kept me to my word.  

Pick your poison...

     Paul tends to want everything in his smoothie.  He sort of takes the "everything but the kitchen sink" approach to smoothies.  I oblige him, knowing too many ingredients muddies the flavor.  He chose banana, mango, pineapple, strawberries, orange, and pomegranate juice.  I add in silken tofu for protein (no, that's not butter on the scale).  If you haven't had silken tofu in a smoothie, you should give it a try.  It adds protein and fills you up more than adding something like yogurt.  Adding a little banana with the tofu adds a nice creaminess as well.  Of course you can use fresh fruit in your smoothie, but I prefer a combination of fresh and frozen.  There is no need to add ice and you get a nice thick, smoothie.

      I tend to like more thematic smoothies like a tropical smoothie with banana, mango and pineapple.  My favorite is a berry smoothie, which is what I opted for today.  By the way, Paul decided my smoothie was better than his smoothie.  

Berry-licious Smoothie
Click here for printable recipe

Makes one smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 3 ounces silken tofu
• about 2 inches of a banana, sliced (a third of medium banana)
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 2/3 cup strawberries (I use frozen and slice them in half)
• Optional:  A splash of fresh orange juice or soy milk to thin it out to your liking.

Directions:

1. Pour pomegranate juice into the blender.  Add tofu and sliced banana.
2. Cover and blend until completely smooth.
3. Add berries, cover and blend again until berries are smooth.  At this point, taste.  If it is too thick, add just a splash of OJ or soy milk and blend again.

That's it!  Drink up and enjoy!  Fight those winter blues and make yourself a smoothie tomorrow morning.  You'll be glad you did.