Fruity Deliciousness!

I have been on a bit of a smoothie kick lately. A few years back, my mom bought Brett and I a juicer for Christmas, but for some reason, we didn't really take to it until recently. It's a small Black & Decker and we like it well enough, it does the job and we give the pulp to our worms to make compost.

I think the real reason we didn't use it much is because it takes a lot of fruit/veg to juice and I assumed it would be too expensive. What I've found since I've "revived" the juicer is that by using a "base" of carrot and pear juice or carrot and apple juice, the smoothies weren't too expensive at all and the base lends itself to pretty much any fruit additions I have tried as of yet.

I really enjoy having smoothies for breakfast. Not only are they a good way to get in the fruit and veg you need, but I find that I feel all around better after drinking one. Another odd thing I noticed was that when I have a smoothie for breakfast, I don't end up snacking a bunch throughout the day. I don't quite understand this, but it how they effect me, so I'm not going to complain!

I don't exactly know that these would technically be "smoothies" - I don't know the nomenclature of the juicing/puréeing world. I first juice my base ingredients, then I blend in solids using a blender - things like banana, frozen fruit, or ice.

Anyway, I don't think the Juice Nomenclature Police are going to come after me if I use the wrong terminology so let's get to the food! Well, um, drink!


Carrot-Pear-Banana-Peach Smoothie
Makes 3 large drinks.

8 carrots, peeled and juiced
3 d'anjou pears, juiced
2 bananas
1/2 bag of frozen peaches

Pour the prepared juice into a blender and slowly add the remaining ingredients. Blend until very smooth.


Carrot-Pear-Banana-Mixed Berry-Extra Strawberry Smoothie
Makes 3 large drinks

10 carrots, peeled and juiced
3 d'anjou pears, juiced
1 banana
1/2 bag frozen mixed berries
1/2 bag frozen whole strawberries

Pour the prepared juice into a blender and slowly add the remaining ingredients. Blend until very smooth.



I used some of my homegrown wheatgrass for this booger.

Carrot-Apple-Wheatgrass-Banana-Mango Smoothie
Makes about 3 drinks

8 carrots, peeled and juiced
3 pink lady apples, juiced
1 bunch of wheatgrass, juiced
2 bananas
1 bag frozen mangoes

Pour the prepared juice into a blender and slowly add the remaining ingredients. Blend until very smooth.


Carrot-Pear-Banana-Strawberry Smoothie
Makes 3 large drinks

10 carrots, peeled and juiced
3 d'anjou pears (or fuji apples), juiced
1 banana
1 bag frozen whole strawberries

Pour the prepared juice into a blender and slowly add the remaining ingredients. Blend until very smooth.

I know it doesn't seem like too much variation, but I don't need much variety so it works for me. And how else would I ever get Brett to eat that many carrots raw any other way? :-)

Anywho, that's all for now. Enjoy the spring like weather that is hopefully gracing you wherever you are!

'Til next time.

Cranberry Bean and Veggie Burgers

Howdy, howdy, howdy.



















Cranberry Bean and Veggie Burgers
Makes about 4 large patties

3 tbsp canola oil
1 small potato, scrubbed, and diced small
1 onion, diced small
1 carrot, peeled and diced small
1/2 zucchini, diced small
2 anaheim chiles, seeded and diced
1/4 cup sweet corn
6 cloves of garlic, minced
salt, to taste
2 cups cranberry beans, cooked
1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup regular rolled oats
1/4 cup flour

Preheat oven to 375.

In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the potato and fry for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the onion, carrot, zucchini, chiles, and corn. Fry for an additional 5-10 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Add the garlic and fry for about 2-3 minutes until the garlic gets fragrant. Remove veggies from heat.

In a large bowl, using your hands, mash up the beans and veggie mixture. Then slowly add the dry ingredients.

Form into four equal parts and roll into balls.

Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Place the balls on the paper and flatten.

Bake for ten minutes, then flip the burgers. Bake for an additional ten minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.

Top burger buns with your desired fixin's and enjoy!

Well, that's all for now.

'Til next time.