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I had a long list of recipes to make this weekend but, as things go, ended up with a ‘clean out the freezer’ kind of weekend. With spring just around the corner I felt the need to take stock and purge the unrecognizable frozen blocks of something lurking in the dark corners of the freezer. This worked out pretty great because I found another wonderful smoothie flavor combination that is totally blog worthy.
We’ve talked about “flash-freezing” fruits during peak season so you can have them ready to roll throughout the year. I found frozen bags of strawberries and peaches and combined them with coconut water, dates and a banana for a completely satisfying, thirst quenching “healthy” treat.
I added a tablespoon of ground flax seed and a squirt of honey to the blender and finished the smoothie with a garnish of unsweetened coconut. This is why smoothies are the perfect treat – they are highly adaptable, delicious, and so easy!
Don’t have coconut water on hand? Try using almond milk or yogurt for a seriously creamy smoothie. Depending on the natural sweetness of the fruit, you may or may not need the honey either. Just jump right in and do a little “freezer diving” and see what you can come up with. I usually start with frozen fruit and don’t normally add ice to my smoothies to retain the intense fruit flavors.
Don’t forget your PIN!
- 6-8 whole frozen strawberries
- 1 cup frozen peach slices
- 1 whole ripe banana, not frozen
- 1 (16-ounce) container unsweetened coconut water
- 2 medjool dates, pitted
- 1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
- Add the fruit, dates and coconut water to the blender carafe. Process until smooth. Add the honey and flax seed and blend until smooth. Adjust for sweetness and add more coconut water if needed. Serve garnished with shredded unsweetened coconut.
Substitute almond milk for equal parts of coconut water plus a little yogurt for a creamy smooth treat.
My husband and I had a discussion about the meaning of “homemade.” I told him I would defer to the experts – my readers! According to the dictionary, homemade means any food made at home, it does not mean it has to be made from scratch. One of my co-workers loves to bake cakes but uses a box mix. She stated that as long as she baked it at “home” it is homemade. I guess they’re right because where would you draw the line for homemade? If you make a pie using a freezer crust and canned filling, is it homemade? I know this is not really urgent, earth-shattering or even the slightest bit important, just interesting. I guess we have to designate if something is just “homemade” or “homemade from scratch.” Within those two phrases are 4,000 variations such as canned ingredients, milk from a carton, etc., etc. Anyway – blah blah blah – it’s Monday and I made a “homemade from scratch smoothie” but I used a box of coconut water that I didn’t make – what say you my kitchen experts? Homemade or homemade from scratch 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
cheri says
Hi Tricia, I always think of homemade as being made from scratch, some of the ingredients can be from a can or box but over-all put together and baked or cooked at home. Anyway your smoothie looks delicious! Have a great week-end!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Cheri – hope you have a great weekend too!
Kitchen Belleicious says
smoothies are the best way to get your sweet fix while eating healthy! I love them and I love to make them for my boys in the morning. Surprisingly enough their favorite flavor is strawberry banana and after this post I will have to add in some peach and see how they like it! I know they will
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Jessica – I love smoothies and was very pleased with this combo – but I love them all! Hope your boys love it 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
First, I think this is one of the prettiest and most tempting smoothies I’ve seen, I’m not a fan of the middy green ones, no matter how healthy they are! And as for homemade, I’m pretty liberal — I think any time someone takes the time to cook in their kitchen, even if it’s partly from a box, they are entitled to call it homemade. When my kids were growing up my ‘homemade’ cupcakes were from a box mix, but the frosting was always from scratch!
Betty says
It’s hard to believe it right now, but strawberry season is right around the corner! Time to use up all of those frozen strawberries to make room for more. I love a good smoothie to start the day, even in cold weather. This one looks tasty- I’ve not used dates in mine, but I bet they add a special sweetness that I’d love! 🙂
Tricia Buice says
You are right Betty – we should go picking! I had this again for breakfast today – very tasty!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
I haven’t made a smoothie since the kids were young. My blender is gathering dust. Your smoothie would be one of my favorites, I know. The other kind I am passionate about is mango or pineapple. I m parched right now!
Tricia Buice says
The blender will be so happy to come out and play! Hope you enjoy 🙂
[email protected]'s Recipes says
I don’t make smoothies often enough! This looks so tasty, Tricia.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Angie!
2 Sisters Recipes by Anna and Liz says
YUM YUM and even more YUM! love this smoothie – we are pro-smoothie when it comes to treats! BTW, we say its homemade!
Tricia Buice says
Homemade smoothies – yum! Have a great week ladies!
Becky Green says
LOL!!! When I sold Pampered Chef, we ALWAYS said it was “homemade!” Even though, we used prepared dough’s, pie crusts, etc.! But, when you go the “extra mile” of making it from “scratch,” you want others to know! 😉 Your smoothie looks GREAT! I’ll have to save it for a warmer day though, I FREEZING right now! LOL 😉
Tricia Buice says
Good luck with that cold weather Becky 🙂 Love my Pampered Chef products!
Chris Scheuer says
You are so smart Tricia, to get your freezer cleaned out now! It usually takes company coming to motivate me to clean mine out. And what a reward, this smoothie sounds and looks wonderful, I love the combination of flavors.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Chris and congratulations again on your blog-iversary!
Pam says
Tricia, that’s one great looking smoothie; bet it’s delicious! I need to start doing that, cleaning out the freezer. Hard telling what’s in there! 🙂
Tricia Buice says
It’s that time of year 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Pam!
Susan says
I make a yogurt smoothie with banana, frozen organic fruit, coconut and flax (sometimes dates) almost every morning. A great way to start the day. I have not tried peaches yet and need to get some – it sounds wonderful.
Tricia Buice says
I like smoothies so much better than oatmeal – so this is a breakfast favorite of mine too!
Beth says
Your smoothie sounds wonderful. I must admit that I get great satisfaction out of cleaning out my fridge or my freezer. It almost feels like we’re eating for free!
Tricia Buice says
Eating for free sounds pretty great! Have a wonderful week Beth 🙂
tanna says
Hmmmm…. I can see how there would be need for a referee here. LOL! I hate to say this, Tricia, but I tend to think of homemade as being from scratch, though I can absolutely see how from a box is still “made at home”. (I don’t think using coconut water from a box takes it out of the homemade category… you were not making coconut water e.g. cake from a box is making a cake). LOL! Oh, the dilemma. 😉
Your smoothie looks delicious! I haven’t thought of adding dates! Thank you! blessings ~ tanna
Tricia Buice says
I always thought homemade meant from scratch – but I guess the meaning has changed over the years with the invention of pre-packaged mixes, etc. Like all those other words that have changed and adapted to new times. Getting old but still baking from scratch!
Moncia says
Cleaning out the freezer (or refrigerator) feels so good, doesn’t it, Tricia? I wish I had flash-frozen fruit in mine though. This smoothie looks great. I like to start my mornings with a cold drink even in the winter. However, mine is a frozen mocha frap. I need to get healthier on that front.
Your question about homemade is so interesting. At first, I was thinking I wouldn’t consider something from a box mix “homemade” but then again, I *would* consider a pie made with store-bought crust “homemade! Maybe we need to set some sort of “% of from-scratch” criteria? haha! Anyway, your smoothie is homemade!
Tricia Buice says
There is something about that coconut water that really quenches my thirst and the fruit cures everything! Flash freezing is my favorite way to save fruit. Have a wonderful week Monica! Love those biscotti cookies!