The Daily smoothie

Sour cream and an accident.

2011-03-25T06:36:00.001-06:00

Every now and then, I will get an idea to experiment in the Kitchen. Now lately I have been plenty of yogurt, with a starter from one Activa container which has L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis DN 173-010 in it. The batches are a gallon at a time (purchasing milk about to expire or has expired at steeply discounted rates - if not sour will use as a yogurt).

Well, this time I bought a few containers of Half and Half, one went for cereal usage and the other I got an idea to make yogurt from. Hoping for a creamier yogurt (really healthy on the fat content --- sure!).

I set up my home made yogurt maker.

Which is my griddle, upon which I put a wire rack to keep the containers about an inch off the griddle. Then a cover that encloses the whole contraption, to keep the warmed air trapped, and finally a setting on the griddle about M (experimented here ) which keeps the temperature around 100+ (ideal for the yogurt).

I then mixed a good portion of my yogurt (1/3 cup) to one quart of Half and Half, and let it set for 24 hours in the yogurt maker.

The result was a very firm, what I thought was yogurt. Far more firmer than any yogurt I have made even with whole milk. Upon tasting, it had the texture and taste of sour cream, and the more I tasted it I wonder if I hadn't accidentally made 'sour cream'.

Upon investigating a few good kitchen sites on the my adventure, (Liz on Food, and Discuss Cooking). I either had creme fraiche or sour cream. Considering the firmness of my batches (yes I made a second one), it seems mine is more a sour cream.

So to summarize once again:

1/3 cup active yogurt -- (In my case Activa)
1 quart Half and Half (got it for a dollar)

Combine ingredients and put in an warm environment around 100 - 105 Fahrenheit. Let it set for about 24 hours and then enjoy!

Apple Kiwi Strawberry smoothie

2011-01-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

This uses just a juice mix, of Apple-Kiwi-Strawberry. It would be more tremendous and filling with the full versions of each fruit. For this version, however I have added Eggnog, which adds a whole lot more calories and thickness to the mixture.

1 Banana
4 oz container of Vanilla Activia Yogurt (use your favorite yogurt)
(Vanilla being a neutral type flavor doesn't add any flavor's to overpower the Juice flavour).

1/3 cup Eggnog
2/3 cup Juice (Apple-Kiwi-Strawberry)
1/4 cup Milk

Combine all ingredients in your blender and then cover (unless you like clean up a mess ).
Start on low and work your way up to high. Blend for about 2 minutes, and serve.
It should yield 2-3 servings.

Using Regular Popcorn in the Microwave.

2010-11-02T17:35:00.001-06:00

The idea is microwaving the regular popcorn that comes in the bulk bags, not your premade Mircowave Popcorn packages.

A 2lb bag has about 20 servings in, and the way I did it was smaller portions, but each to their own on their size of servings. Now I have not investigated if others have done this, so this was my own experiment, and working it to perfection. The inspiration all started with a 2 lb bag from my parents, and to do something different. Not the regular approach.

So here it is.

2 Mircowave proof bowls
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil or your favorite oil/butter/shortening
2 Tablespoons of Popcorn kernels

As shown in this photo. Place all the ingredients in the same bowl.

Now with the second bowl cover the first and set the microwave for 2:20 on high (note you will have to experiment with yours). I actually do it in two stages, the first 2:20, and remove the finished product. The second for about 1:15 to get most of the remaining kernels. Note: in removing at the 2:20 mark, I don't scorch my popcorn.

Now presto here you have the finished goods. This is the first round, as mentioned above. Second round is about half and gets the remaining kernels. Also by removing the finished 2:20 product you don't get burned/scorched popcorn.

Salt to taste or sugar. Enjoy!!

Buffalo Wing Grilled Cheese Sandwich

2010-10-31T00:44:00.004-06:00

Yes this is a departure from my daily smoothie, and yes I still make smoothies nearly every day. But just haven't posted them. Some are repeats and some are new. So this is an update to my blog, and we will be changing directions somewhat, with Smoothies being still posted, but other things of interest.

They can range from the latest wild experiment in the kitchen to an adventure I have gone through.

So we start this new direction with Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

To begin turn on the griddle to high, lightly oil if need be (for me the griddle has been cured so no oil/butter used)

2 slices of Sweet Grain bread
Miracle Whip (or your favorite spread) -- spread across one slice.
Chicken Wing Sauce (Beano's) sprinkle a few drops to yours taste on Miracle Whip slice spread to combine.
Several slices of Colby Jack Cheese --- on the other slice.

Now grill for a few minutes till bottom side is toasted, and then flip and finish other till toasted to your color preference.
Remove from Griddle and let cool a bit.

Now enjoy a bit of spicy Grilled Cheese sandwich with a bit of creamy flavor too it.

Passion Fruit

2009-03-26T20:57:00.001-06:00

Another delightful smoothie. This one Passion Fruit; actually it's a blend of white grape, pineapple, apple and passion fruit. It's from Welch's 100% Tropical Passion Fruit, and the passion Fruit does dominate the taste.

Usually I do nearly equal portions of milk to juice or near equal. However lately the flavor has been somewhat disappointing, in part the yogurt is plain, so no added flavors. So being the mad scientist I am, we reduced the portion of the milk and viola a much better smoothie.

So here it is:

1 cup Tropical Passion Fruit juice (Welch's 100%)
1/2 cup Whole Milk
about 4-6 ounces plain yogurt (of course with Active cultures)
1 banana

Start blending on low and progressing to whole for about 1 -2 minutes, or till thoroughly blended and frothy. makes better then 2 servings. Rates about 7 in taste for me.

Health tip: When taking Calcium supplements, take also Vitamin D too or a combination supplement. This supposedly helps with the absorption ( this hasn't been FDA verified). We need both for our bones, but Calcium is crucial for preventing or minimizing Osteoporosis. Of course good natural sources are Broccoli, cheese yogurt, or milk.

The body also uses Calcium for proper muscle contraction and nerve function. With the Vitamin D helping the immune system..

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A Cherry pie smoothie

2009-02-04T17:40:00.001-07:00

Alright this is a little bit more off the path of just being outright healthy. It is healthy but could be more decadent too.

1 cup whole milk
1 cup Pomegranate Juice (something very good for the heart)
1/3 cup Cherry Pie filling (Actually this was taken from a cherry pie so there was a few bits of crust in it but hardly noticeable - I really didn't want the cherry pie )

Blend from low to high in stages until thoroughly mixed. Continue to blend for about a minute to two more to add some froth to it. Yields 3 servings.
The taste is very close to that of cherry pie, the cherry flavor easily overpowers the Pomegranate. It is worth repeating, so as taste goes 6+ ( I would prefer my pies to be more chewy than drinkable).

Health Tip:
A treatment for Cold sores using Vinegar.
You can usually dry up a cold sore in short order by dabbing it with a cotton ball saturated in white vinegar three times a day. The vinegar will quickly soothe the pain and swelling.

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Probiotics Smoothie

2009-02-03T11:03:00.002-07:00

Sounds medical doesn't it.   But my previous post had a health tip on the benefits of Probiotics. Well we have on hand some yogurt with prodiotics in them plus Acai and Blueberries. Too healthy for you junk addicts, so you may excuse yourself.

1 cup Whole milk
1 cup 100% Ruby Kist Pomegranate Juice blend (Apple, Pomegranate, Gape, and Aronia )
1 ounce of Drinkables which has a good mix of antioxidants from fruit and herbs.
4 ounces of Yoplus (Acai and Blueberry yogurt with Probiotics)

Combine all the above ingredients in a blender, and starting from low work up to high.
Makes 3 servings.

With the whole milk instead of the soymilk we have a slightly creamer taste, this is rates a 7+, for my taste buds, and not as tart.

Health Tip:
Cold Sores and Yogurt. Eating plain yogurt (with live cultures) is a good way to quickly get rid of cold sores.   As part of a daily diet, it is a good way to prevent them also. From my own experience, I have found that with an onslaught of cold sores coming on, yogurt as quickly nipped them within a day or two. Plain yogurt may be more effective, but flavored yogurt has achieved the same results for me. The active bacteria culture in yogurt is what helps in the fight of cold sores which are brought on by a form of Herpes virus.

It should be stressed that two factors are needed to be watched for in obtaining yogurt:
    -does it contain active cultures ( the yogurt itself can be made from pasteurized milk, but the yogurt shouldn't be pasteurized), it should be clearly labeled containing active cultures.
    - No gelatin listed in the ingredients. Gelatin can cause a cold sore outbreak, by triggering the Herpes virus.

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A good Antioxidant

2009-01-31T21:20:00.001-07:00

Well as previously listed in my previous blog, some of the miracle plants available to us. Their benefits where highlighted. These goodies where combined in a Drinkable solution. A recommended dosage of 1 ounce a day.

So we will oblige them, but mix it in a smoothie, combined with the goodness of Soymilk.

3/4 cup Soymilk 8th Continent used
3/4 cup 100% Ruby Kist Pomegranate Juice blend (Apple, Pomegranate, Gape, and Aronia )
1/2 cup Raspberry yogurt (Yoplait for this one)
1 ounce Drinkable blend

In combine all, the Soymilk curdles just like milk in reaction to the Juice. We start blending on low working up to High for a good frothy mix.
Servings about 3.
Definitely repeatable and rates a 7. Will have to try with regular whole milk to see how it tastes too. But for now it tends towards the tart side, with the raspberry seeming to compete with the pomegranate.

Health Tip:

Bacteria lives inside us both friendly and unfriendly. But there is a balance to these two forces. We need the good ones to help maintain good health. "Friendly Bacteria" - such as the lactobacillus and bifda cultures in yogurt - inhibit growth of yeast and other disease causing organisms. There is evidence they even lower cholesterol levels.

However there is a problem one we get ill, and you take an antibiotic, you kill bacteria in your body (both the good and the bad). Unfortunately this usually creates an imbalance, and raises your risk of diarrhea, yeast infection, food sensitivity or worse yet Clostridiun Difficile (a bacteria gone out of control in your body). Also other pills or substances we take can kill the good guys too. Such as : cortisone, prednisone, birth control pills, and antacids, and our lifestyle - STRESS.

Help is here: A family of supplements known as probiotics. These blends of bacteria and rice or milk powder repopulates the bowel with friendly bacteria.

It has been found that women who ate a daily cup of yogurt had fewer vaginal infections than women who didn't eat yogurt. The effect would have been even more significant had the women taken probiotics.

To keep your intestinal flora healthy, I recommend eating yogurt regularly. Most brands contain active cultures (check labels and buy only active culture brands).

Take probiotics in addition to yogurt (there are now yogurts out there with probiotics in them), especially if you suffer from yeast infections or high cholesterol, while traveling, or taking antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills or antacids.

If looking for probiotics in the pill form, watch for those contain at least one billion live organisms per gram. Check the package's expiration date too.

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A new fruit and herbal mixture for a healthier smoothie.

2009-01-29T01:21:00.002-07:00

A list of some very beneficial plants. These are contained in liquid mixture (98% Juice). It should be interesting to see the results in my smoothies. The taste isn't bad, a slightly tart tangy taste. It is put out by Remington Health Products.

Pomegranate (Pomica granatum)

First cultivated by the Egyptians and Phoenician. Pomegranates contain high amounts of hydrolysable tannin (punicalagan) – a powerful ployphenol known for its antioxidant properties.

Noni (Morinda citrifolia)

Also know as the “Great Morinda”. Noni serves as a tonic in China, Japan and Hawaii for a variety of traditional health applications. The tree is native to Southeast Asia yet has spread throughout India and into the Pacific Islands.

Grape Seed Extract (Vitis vinifera)

The seeds in grapes are known to contain procryanidolic oligomers, also know as PCOs. Researchers have concluded that PCOs help strengthen blood vessels, and improve blood circulation. Grape Seed Extract is also a powerful antioxidant.

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum)

Also know as the Chinese Wolfberry or Snowberry. The fruit plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine and is nicknamed the “happy berry” because of the sense of will being it is said to induce. Goji's richness in carotenoids, phenolics and Vitamin C creates potential for an extra-ordinary synergy of antioxidant strength.

Acai (Euterpe oleracea)

Very popular as an energy drink among surfers and celebrities. Acai is the fruit from a palm tree native to tropical Central and South America. It is rich in B vitamins, iron, Omega-3 fatty acids, and anthrocryanin (antioxidant flavonoid).

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostina)

A tropical evergreen tree believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. Mangosteen contains an abundance of healthy alkaloids including xanthones, gartanin and nomangostin.

Cherry (Prunus avium)

Greater attention is now being paid to the cherry for its health properties. In addition to high levels of anthocyanin antioxidants, the cherry contains Melatonin. Melatonin plays important roles in both immune system support and stress level reduction.

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Native to the United States the blueberry is highly rated for its antioxidant properties. The fruit's pigment contains phyonutrients called anthocyanidins which help neutralize free radical damage. Antioxidant compounds such as pterositilbene and ellagic acid are also present.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadoes)

Used throughout the world as an external balm to relieve skin discomfort, people are now starting to drink Aloe Vera for it's intriguing ability to support the immune system.

Green Tea ( Camellia sinesis)

First cultivated in China, green tea is a tea that has undergone minimal oxidation: leaving abundant polyphenol levels. The antioxidant, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been recently identified in tea. Green Tea has also been shown to raise metabolic rates, thermogenesis and fat oxidation.

Ginkgo Biloba

The Ginkgo Tree is a living fossil, its plant family dates back to the middle Jurassic, Very long-lived, some tree specimens are more than 2,500 years old. The extract of Ginkgo leaves contain flavonoid glycosides and ginkgolides which demonstrate alleged nootropic properties, improved blood flow to most body tissue and protection against oxidative cell damage from free radicals.

Concord Grape Concentrate (Vitis vinifera)

The French Paradox: why do the French people, who eat higher levels of animal fat, also have a lower incidence of heart disease? Researchers speculate that the relatively large amount of red wine consumed by the French people has positively benefited them. Researchers are focusing their attention on the special health properties of resveratrol, a polyphenol abundant in grape skin.

Apple Strawberry.

2009-01-06T19:13:00.001-07:00

Well outta milk, used last bit for French Toast. Got to go grocery shopping tomorrow.

So here we go a largely fruit based smoothie.

1 cup Apple Juice
3 halves cooked apple (my stomach is slightly sensitive to raw apples)
1 banana
6 0unces Yoplait Strawberry Mango Yogurt.

Start blending on low working up to high. Blend on high for about 2 minutes.

Yields about 3 servings.

The Strawberry was the stronger flavor, with mango next. The apple was despite being the majority of the ingredients just a hint. And the surprising thing with the banana and yogurt it was creamy tasting.

Definitely a 8+

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Tomato Juice

2009-01-05T02:49:00.001-07:00

Tomato Juice

A cheaper way of getting tomato Juice. I accidentally came across this suggest from some other internet sites. Using either Tomato Paste or Sauce.

So being the mad scientist that I am. (The kitchen is nothing but a differently designed laboratory). I had to do some experiments on this. Pity my poor taste buds that have to endure some of the failures in these kind of experiments. But other times there are breakthroughs, and they are delighted.

Well initially follow the tomato paste suggestion:

3 to 4 portions water to 1 portion of tomato paste.
Using a blender empty the contents of 1 6 0unce can.
Add 3 - 4 cans of water. ( I have found that using the 3+ was more successful and 4 seemed too watered down)
I can't make any recommendations on adding any salt or sugar as I haven't done that with the paste. (yet)

Another alternative is too use tomato Sauce.

Now the sauces used so far have all contained some onion and garlic powders added. Or maybe other spices.
Results for me:
1 8 ounces can
2 equal portions of water (any more and it seems watery or watered down)
1/2 teaspoon Real Salt (I use salt from Real Salt - some extra mineral benefits)
2-3 teaspoons of sugar
The addition of salt and sugar seem to help offset some of the onion/garlic/spices in the tomato sauce.
The result is about 3-4 servings of Tomato Juice.

As a result of this trial and error, I will be adding a little salt and sugar to the tomato paste mix too. As I do remember it passed but wasn't a hit like the sauce.

Paste mix: rating 6-7
Sauce mix rating 8

So in a pinch for tomato Juice, there is an alternative way of having it if you have tomato Paste or Sauce on hand.

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Raspberry Smoothie

2008-12-30T05:33:00.001-07:00

Well it has been sometime since I last posted here. But most of the smoothies are following a pattern of being close to or much the same. A little road block on the imagination.

I usually don't use preserves such as jams or jellies unless homemade. Honey or Peanut Butter is fine for this lad. However I did break down recently to a name brand preserve being on sale and couldn't refuse to pass it up, for use in a smoothie.

So here we go.

1 cup Whole Milk
1 cup Apple Juice (100%)
1 banana
2 tablespoons Red Raspberry spread (Welch's)
3/4 cup Raspberry Yogurt

Start blending on low progressing to high. Hold on high for about a minute.

Yields 4 servings, of a delicious creamy raspberry smoothie.

The extra spread increases/enhances the raspberry yogurt flavor. Definitely a delight to savor for the taste buds.

Rating a high 8 (it was definitely a repeatable one)

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Apricot Smoothie

2008-09-02T21:33:00.001-06:00

For this one I used fresh stewed apricots. For the stewing I had cooked the apricots without any added water using a microwave and either lightly sweetened them with either Honey or Fructose.
So the stewed mixture is only Apricots lightly sweetened no added ingredients.

3/4 cup stewed Apricots
1/2 cup Vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup Whole milk

Blend first on low progressing to High. Yields 2 servings

Another repeater, worth 8 (if you like apricots that is).

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A Pomegranate

2008-08-30T09:43:00.002-06:00

There may be a similar post on this one, but this one is just another variation. All Juices used are always 100% juice.

1/2 Cup Vanilla Yogurt (in this case the Dannnon's Activa )
1/2 Cup Pomegranate Juice
1 cup Whole Milk
1 cup Orchard Apple Kiwi Strawberry

Blend on High.

Makes 3 servings. This is definitely a repeater and thus around a 8 rating. The Pomegranate taste still comes through but is knocked down.

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Chilled Pomegranate Raspberry

2008-06-26T14:32:00.001-06:00

A good healthy drink with a good supply of Antioxidants.

1 Cup.        Milk (used organic 2% for this mix)
1/2 Cup     Pomegranate and Raspberry Juice
1/2 cup       Raspberry Yogurt
1                 Banana
12 ice cubes

Combine all in the blender.

Start on a low setting working up to high setting.

Yields 4 cups of Frothy cool smoothie (any ice chunks left will settle towards bottom)

Rates 7+ to 8.

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TVP Macaroni Italian

2008-06-16T22:29:00.002-06:00

Had some TVP (Texture Vegetable Protein ) around and loads of Macaroni.

Time to spice some things up.

1 box of Macaroni and Cheese - discard the cheese package (for me it's no problem my stomach can't handle the processed cheese)
Cook the Macaroni as per directions

Add about 1 cup TVP
Cook till TVP thickens pour out remaining fluids
Mix in about 4 0z*. Zesty Italian dressing
1/2* teaspoon Ground Sage
1/4* teaspoon Basil Leaf
1/2* teaspoon 1 step Beef seasoning
1 6 oz. Tomato Paste
Seasoning salt couple of dashes

* Note all measurements are approximates as I don't measure but go by feel (this can be dangerous to the taste buds at times).

Makes about 3 servings.

The TVP adds thickness to the Macaroni, but with the spices you will not know it's meatless.

Delicious = yes.

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Pancake Toast

2008-06-13T22:42:00.001-06:00

Something different. Inspiration hits in the kitchen.

Can't think of a creative name, but it's Pancake Toast.

I started the evening to premake my pancakes for the morning, at 4:30am I really don't feel like cooking.

I had a generic Flavorite brand of Pancake and Waffle Mix (Buttermilk version).

The normal directions called for 2 cups mix and 1 1/2 cups water. Well the creative juices got going, and a raid on the fridge and spice cabinet was in order. So here it is.

1 1/2 cups water
2 heavy teaspoons of Sweeten Condensed Milk
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 teaspoon Buttermilk (dried version)
6 very heaping teaspoons of organic Quinoa Flour.
3 good shakes of Cinnamon (probably about 1 or better teaspoons)
2 teaspoons Fructose
Blend all the above in a blender than add

1 cup Flavorite Pancake Waffle Mix

Now pour into a mixing bowl

Preheat a lightly oiled cast iron skillet to 400 degrees F.

Now pick your favorite bread. For me it's multigrains.

Drop a slice into batter, flip the bread to coat the other side (won't be able to dip so easy). Drop the bread/pancake mix into the skillet and cook. Watching for the classic Pancake bubbles won't happen, about the time the cooking starts to crust the top, flip.

Enjoy. As is or as regular pancakes.

These are thicker and definitely more filling then either Pancakes or French toast ( I could easily devour about 6 slices of French Toast but 2 -3 of these are satisfying). The taste was good and definitely worth repeating.

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Talking with God

2008-06-01T22:18:00.001-06:00

COMMUNION_ JEFF.IN V-10 N-1 SUNDAY_ 62-0204
47 Now, you do not commune by radio, because you cannot talk back, or television. But when you can by telephone, because you are communing one to another; it just isn't one side. It is... I cannot commune with you now, because you do not talk back. So therefore, it would not be coming to hear a minister deliver his message. That would not be coming together to communing. Communion would not be that... If you come just to commune with the minister, you'd call him to one side, or any individual, and commune with him or she.
But to what we come into communion, is for each of us as individuals to commune with Christ. That is communing. Then communing is not altogether one doing the talking, us doing all the talking, but waiting and seeing what He says back to us.

COMMUNION_ JEFF.IN V-10 N-1 SUNDAY_ 62-0204
49 Now, there's where, many times that we make our great mistakes is we do all the talking and don't wait and give Him a chance to answer back. We go sometimes, say, "Lord, I would that You would do so-and-so and so-and-so. Amen," and get up and leave. Now, that really isn't communing. That's going and asking a favor. But when you stay long enough until He answers back, that's when you're getting communion, communing with the Lord. Now, and a great way to commune is to be agreed; you must agree upon certain things. Now, and it's strange that sometimes when we get those things...
Eating is associated with it. Now, you take business people, when they want to make a business deal, they'll invite somebody out to dinner, and after they are set down and eat, and then talk with one another. A good salesman, usually he cannot talk to a person on an empty stomach. It's best to wait till he is feeling good, and then after he has his breakfast. Don't get up there and get him out of bed and tell him about something you got to sell him, but wait till he has his breakfast and--and is set all right in condition.

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Creamy Strawberry

2008-04-09T00:11:00.000-06:00

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup half and half (no counting calories here - we put that little book aside for consciouses sake)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup pineapple, orange, strawberry Dole Juice blend (100% juice)
8 large strawberries (3/4 cup)

Blend from low to high in stages. Allow to thoroughly blend the strawberries in.

Yields 2 Creamy servings

A simple very Strawberry

2008-04-01T22:21:00.000-06:00

1 tablespoon Cream
1 cup whole milk
a Dozen medium to large strawberries

Combine all the above ingredients into your blender. Start from low setting and work up to high in several short stages. Results 2 servings of a Creamy Strawberry.

Add sugar to taste before blending if you want more sweetness.

Tip: As a kid, mum would cut cantaloupes in half, spoon out the seeds and replace them with a few scoops of Vanilla ice cream. Hmmm, delicious.
A healthier alternative is to use Vanilla yogurt. Not as rich tasting as that Ice cream but still wholesome goodness.

Cranberry and very Raspberry

2008-03-22T16:53:00.000-06:00

1 cup Cranberry - Raspberry Juice
1 cup Whole Milk
1 cup raspberry Yogurt
2 small bananas

Drop, pour all into blender. Cover (you'll regret it if you don't)

Start on low, and work up your settings to high.

Blend for a couple of minutes to thoroughly mix in the bananas.

Yields 4 servings.

With the raspberry yogurt, the raspberry flavor from the juice is further enhanced. The bananas taste is slight, and tend to thick the mixture.
Overall a very good smoothie my personal rating is 8+, definitely a repeater.

Thick and Fluffy Chocolate

2008-03-21T14:42:00.000-06:00

Al right, it's not always fruit based I do. I happen love my chocolate milk, and just pouring or spooning in the chocolate mix in milk and stirring with a spoon isn't good enough for this kid.

Why? Well for one there is always some settling out of the chocolate mix to the bottom. Well the blender creates a more thorough mix with less settling.

However smoothies tend to be thick. And Chocolate milk shakes have a little fluff. Mixing just milk and chocolate yes does add that little bit of froth but can we get it a bit more frothy and longer?
Ah the inquisitive scientific mind starts to thinking.

The experiment with the passion fruit and gelatin was successful. Let's take it the next step to Chocolate milk.

Here we go

2 packages Knox gelatin
1 cup water very hot water
2 cups milk

dissolve 2 packages in hot water
Stir in Milk and let set in Fridge.

Alright now the fun part or finale.

1/2 cup Gelatin milk mix
1/2 cup liquid milk

Start on low and add chocolate syrup/mix to taste.
Proceed up the blender settings to high and blend for about 2 minutes or till gelatin portion thoroughly mix.

Yields a thicker and fluffier drink.

If you let it sit for awhile the gelatin starts thickening and firming it up again.

Tip: For those of us who like salt, and care to spend a little extra try Real Salt. It is mined salt but contains the trace minerals we need. At one time I tried a product put by a MLM called Ionyx (they are out of business, but another company promotes a similar product). It was a Great Salt lake product - again having a lot of trace minerals.

For me, especially the ionyx minerals, has been beneficial. My joints tend to stiffen up, but maintain a intake of 5-7 drops of Ionyx in my smoothies, keeps me good and limber.

A simple Passionfruit based smoothie

2008-03-17T19:24:00.001-06:00

Did I say simple, well nearly.

This one requires a little preparation time.

2 packets Knox non flavored gelatin
2 cups Orange Passion fruit Juice (100% juice - I really don't like the cocktail stuff just more sugar in your diet).

Warm up juice and dissolve the gelatin. Set in Fridge and cool to set.

Now we get to the simple part.

1/2 cup gelatin Passion fruit
equal portion liquid Orange Passion fruit.

Blend on low first, increasing speed to highest.

Viola. A smoothies with a creamy look, like and frothy. (almost too light).

Good for the Heart

2008-02-19T16:39:00.001-07:00

Occasionally I get bold and experimental and venture into other avenues.

This time while grazing for bargains (which helps the experimental side of me) , I picked up a quart of "organic oat ' a non dairy beverage as a delicious alternative to soy.

No I am not a health nut, at least I don't view my self that way. I have been know to devour a 10 ounce bag of chips without any problems - on rare occasions. But I do like oatmeal, and porridge a lot. So I figured this wasn't too bad a loss. The bargain only set me back about $1.50. So no major loss on the experiment.

So here goes another delicious and nutritious smoothie. Definitely for the heart.

1 cup 'organic oat' drink - from Pacific Natural Foods (there is their free pitch)
1/2 cup raspberry yogurt
1 cup 100% Pomegranate Juice

Blend on high and enjoy. Serves about 2 1/2 servings.

Definitely a repeater. The tart tasted of the raspberries is mellowed out a little with the Pom. Slight oat taste, but for the most part one wouldn't know.

Personal rating 7+

Fast food tip: Pita pizzas, simple and quick to prepare only limited by your imagination.

1 Pita pocket - spread tomato sauce (preferably spaghetti sauce) -cover with some mild cheddar cheese. Bake in oven for about 5 minutes or till cheese bubbles - (uses a cookie sheet or stone underneath to catch the melted cheese).

That is the simplest version, add meats or whatever else you want plus different cheeses. Immediate success with hungry children.

Hey I did that, after taking three boys on a field trip. Stopped at my house and feed them. As a bachelor it was a immediate success, each kid had two pita pizzas each. I couldn't keep up hardly.

The Berry Heart

2008-02-15T17:58:00.001-07:00

Well another good one for a stressed out heart, and perky to the taste buds is using Pomegranate and Raspberry premix. The sharp yet sweet tastes against the pom is good.

Here we go.

1 cup whole milk - yes I like large portions, kinda like a kid getting a large milkshake
1 cup 100% Pomegranate & Raspberry Juice (Pom being the main ingredient)
1/2 cup strawberry yogurt - some more berry flavor add with the goodness of yogurt.

blend on medium and then kick to high for a frothier mix. Pour and enjoy the berry flavors with the goodness of Pomegranate.
Yields about 2 1/2 servings.

For extra thickness you can add one banana, but it tones down the berry flavors a bit, and gives a filling serving. Without the banana my personal rating is 8+ with 7+.

Definitely one of my better mixes.

While growing up as kid and a teenager, I never considered eating a pomegranate. Thou two of my sisters would frequently get one, and enjoy them. Always thought it such a seedy fruit. Well the years have worn, and yes I finally broke down in recent history and tried the fruit straight. It is good, but seedy. Prefer the juice, I can get right to the business quick.

The pomegranate is bursting with antioxidant rich flavonoids.

A couple of links for the pomegr anates (hint there are two links on this word - at the front and back)

The Antioxidant

2008-02-13T22:22:00.001-07:00

Well it's been a little while, since my last post. Dogged by a severe OS crash on my main computer. A serious illiness, requiring a fresh install, and recovering my critical data. But all is well. The system had been bogging down for a while, and my antivirus checkers couldn't find anything wrong (use one manually). No mysterious files either. More in lilely something I did, or maybe a bad cable for my harddrive (replaced that too).

So my stress level was up a bit. Shouldn't have been. But once we crashed, and started rebuilding the OS, we approached it calmly (after some prayer time).

So it was appropriate that last weeks smoothis was full of Antioxidants, they do help your cells rebuild (too), from stress.

So here it is

1 cup Whole milk (gives a creamier flavor)
1 cup 100% Blueberry juice with Green tea (Huh I say, did they steep the tea in the blueberry juice? If not than they are wrong on the 100% have to check this one out)
1/2 cup Cherry yogourt (cherries are another good source of antioxdiants but not near as high as blueberries)

Blend medium, than to high to froth more (of course don't forget to cover the top of the blender prevents some nasty results).

It was a good mix, did try a banana too on occassion, but better without the banana.

Cherry-Banana-Apple smoothie

2008-02-02T01:10:00.001-07:00

Today's smoothie was a smash hit for the taste buds. Still a good one but not high ranking. Personal rating 6+

1 Cup apple juice
1 cup whole milk
1 banana
1 glop of cherry yogurt (about 1/2 cup)

Blend on high, yields about 3 cups

It was still a very filling blend.

Software tip:
Want to try a linux system but too afraid too.

How about LiveCD of Ubuntu. Download http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download or request a CD.

Burn the download image, and set your computer to boot to CDROM, and you can try it out before installing it.

Raspberry-Orange-Banana

2008-01-29T23:41:00.000-07:00

Today's smoothie, on a personal level would be rated a 7+ on a ten scale.

Part of the purpose of this blog is to track those smoothies that where good, OK, grander, not so good at least to my taste buds.

So here it is.

1 cup apple juice
1 cup whole milk (yes I like my whole milk you may choose another substitute).
1 fresh orange (peeled)
1 banana (of course peeled)
A glop of raspberry yogurt (about 1/2 cup yogurt - I never really measure my ingredients just toss in what I think is good)

Blend till smooth, and for extra smoothness put it on high for last couple of minutes.

Yields about 2+ to 3 servings, (all of which I enjoy, usually for my breakfast)

Blend till smooth, and for extra smoothieness put it on high for last couple of minutes.

Yields about 2+ to 3 servings, (all of which I enjoy, usually for my breakfast)