Smoothies

[livius drusus]

How about wheat germ for fiber, omega-3s, B-vitamins and shitloads of minerals? It adds some great toothsome textural notes and a subtle nutty undertaste. It keeps for a decade in the fridge, too.

[Demimonde]

I will admit, all this stuff is foreign to me. I have heard of wheat germ, but I am not sure I have ever had it. I really need to up my knowledge in the nutrition department.

Wheat germ totally sounds like a miracle food with loads of healthy stuff. Looking at the wiki, it is even the medium for genetic translation experiments for a bunch of sciency reasons which make it sound like the fountain of youth.

Grain is the cradle of life.

[livius drusus]

I started using it after I got a smoothie at the co-op that had some in it and I loved that hint of chewiness it added. Other than in smoothies, I've only ever used wheat germ in muffins.

[Clutch Munny]

Pancakes? A tablespoon of ground flaxseed and two of wheat germ. Practically invisible, but it's a bit more Good Stuff in your meal.

[S.Vashti]

My dad liked wheat germ on ice cream.

So there's that.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

Froots menu - maybe this will spark an idea

I like the Island Nectar, Pacific Way (my fave), and Tangy Mango. Raspberry Split is nice too.

[Demimonde]

So today I had my best smoothie yet!

It was my normal smoothie of raspberries, black berries and spinach, BUT I added a mojito green tea as the fluid.

I like milky creamy smoothies alright. I plan to keep doing it as my breakfast, but for lunch I love a fruity kicky thing.

I plan to freeze some of my teas to use as icecubes in my smoothies. Tomorrow will be the Lemon cream with strawberries. I think that will make for a happy afternoon.

[Demimonde]

I have been working on perfecting that morning creamy smoothie.

After a week of trying, I decided I am not a fan of creamy berry smoothies. I like berries much more with fresh, bright notes with the tea and lots of veg. Yogurt can add too much tang to the tart, IMO. I have also for the first time ever been buying kiwi by the pound and not for the occasional fancy fruit party salad. I have found that Sprouts has them four for a dollar and I have been buying buckets. It really does add the mellow sweetness that balances the tart perfectly.

Then I experimented with banana cream. While I love bananas, I prefer to eat mine whole. They can just take over a smoothie and with the cream is not my cuppa. Even adding peanut butter or chocolate did not help. Now that I am writing this out, it occurs to me that I didn't try pineapple. I should do that.

Then I decided to try peaches. They are in season, fresh and local, and pretty affordable right now. Peaches and cream go together beautifully. It is the happy, sweet, and mellow morning thing I was looking for.

Peaches and Cream Smoothie

Add to blender:
two small white peaches, quartered with the stones removed, skin is fine
6 oz container of Chobani greek yogurt*
1 tsp ground flax seed
1/4 cup wheat germ
2 scoops vanilla protein powder
a handful of ice
and a splash of almond milk

*The yogurt is flavored with fruit. It was a fast and dirty way to play around with flavor combos while I experimented. I like it because with the peach base I can add a little something extra. A slight berry note or blood orange. Or if I want to keep it simple I just add more peach.

It is creamy and dreamy. The wheat germ does help add some nice texture without it being thick. While I love thick icy shakes I didn't want it too thick because of my tricky morning tummy. I would say it is about the consistency of a pina colada. Which is absolutely perfect.

I have that with a multivitamin every morning. I also try to eat a banana if I can. Seeing it all spelled out I am thrilled with how much nutrition I am getting in all that. I used to be a cup of coffee and a slice of toast girl. This is way more healthy.