Oh hi. Yep, STILL JUST ME HERE.
We’ve tried eggplant, pineapple, spicy foods (which, side note, I think I might be a Pancheros convert. You can add queso to your burrito…!) and a seriously long walk, yet nothin’. No baby! It’s fine, I’ve come to terms with it. Nobody stayed pregnant forever so until that special day comes, we wait…
And sip luxurious, Secretly Healthy Cherry-Peach Smoothies!
So I went a little crazy at the grocery store last weekend, buying enough produce to feed a family of 10 for at least a week. I just can’t help myself around this time of year when fresh fruits and veggies are so inexpensive and abundant they’re practically giving ’em away.
That being said, Ben and I are now in a race against the clock to polish off a fridge and counter top full of of raspberries, sweet corn, asparagus, zucchini, lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, pineapple, peaches, plums, and cherries. No seriously. These use or lose items all need to be eaten (or frozen, I suppose) before we leave for the 3-4 day hospital stay that’s looming in our very near future.
Tonight we’re having a clean out the fridge night where many of the aforementioned ingredients are destined to sit atop a bed of lettuce after a date with my chef’s knife, and for breakfast I’ve been enjoying these Secretly Healthy Cherry-Peach Smoothies which combine fresh cherries, peaches, and Greek yogurt (’cause Lord knows I still have enough yogurt!) with a secret healthy ingredient – baby spinach!
If you’ve ever had my Top Secret Diet Weapon Smoothie then you can attest to the fact that you truly can’t taste baby spinach when it’s blended into smoothies with a few sweet ingredients, which is great because spinach is fabulous low-cal, fat-free way to add a ton of essential vitamins and minerals to your diet.
If the kermit-color freaks you out though, this smoothie is for you. While the summery-sweet flavor of cherries and peaches mask any subtle spinach flavor, the deep crimson color of the cherries also nixes any and all shades of bright green that the healthy addition would otherwise bring to the table. PLUS did you know that cherries are full of antioxidants and help reduce swelling associated with arthritis? My knuckles, which feel like those of someone twice my age from pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel (I know) are seriously pleased. Secretly healthy smoothies, for the win!
Gosh I’m chatty. Maybe this is the burst of energy I’ve been hearing about before the onset of labor?!
Anywho, the recipe is simple, as all good smoothies should be.
Start by scooping 6oz Black Cherry or Peach Greek Yogurt into a blender which provides a rich creaminess and protein, aka staying power, to the smoothie.
Next add 1 cup pitted cherries – fresh or frozen – just make sure they’re sweet not sour cherries.
Like I said I went absolutely bonkers for produce this weekend, and especially for cherries. Not only did I buy a pallet from Costco but I also felt the need to buy a giant bag from the regular grocery store when I saw their cherries were on sale for $1.98/lb. Madness, I tell you!
Next add 1 sliced peach, or 1 cup frozen peach slices. The peaches are so sweet this time of year that I opted for fresh. Yum!
Finally add 1 – 2 cups baby spinach on top – fresh or frozen. If you’ve never tried adding spinach to your smoothies, I’d start at 1 cup and work your way up just in case you think you can taste it (which I promise you won’t.)
A word on frozen spinach – I have never used pre-frozen spinach from the carton in my smoothies. I’m sure it’s fine, but I prefer to freeze baby spinach myself in a freezer bag and just use that. It’s easier to pull out a cup or two instead of having to hack off a portion of the frozen cube.
I like to stock up when the store is having a 2/$4 or 2/$3 sale and freeze a few bags for easy smoothie additions when I need ’em.
Finally add 1/4 cup milk – any kind will do. If you used frozen cherries and/or peaches you may need a touch more to get the smoothie goin’.
Place a lid on top of the blender and let ‘er rip!
Sweet, decadent, and seriously (shh – secretly!) healthy!
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Cherry-Peach Smoothies
Description
Secretly Healthy Cherry-Peach Smoothies have a healthy ingredient nobody will ever guess is in there!
Ingredients
- 6oz Black Cherry or Peach Chobani Greek Yogurt
- 1 cup pitted fresh or frozen sweet cherries
- 1 fresh peach, sliced OR 1 cup frozen peach slices
- 1 - 2 cups fresh or flash-frozen baby spinach (see note below)
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond breeze)
Directions
- Combine yogurt, cherries, and peach slices in a blender then add 1 - 2 cups baby spinach (this will depend on your preference. I personally cannot taste baby spinach in smoothies, but if you are just starting out I'd add just 1 cup.) Add 1/4 cup milk then blend until very smooth, adding up to an additional 1/4 cup milk if necessary to blend all ingredients.
Notes
To freeze baby spinach yourself, transfer fresh baby spinach to a freezer bag and then freeze.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Because I think cherries are such a special treat, as they have such a short season each year, this smoothie tastes especially decadent to me. Could be eaten as a breakfast, OR a healthier dessert option. Totally your call. Either way, enjoy!
Oh, also, life tip #4,637: Do not leave a blender full of Secretly Healthy Cherry-Peach Smoothies perched precariously on a shelf in your freezer while you clean up the kitchen. This will happen when you open the door, which will make your head nearly explode and take almost an hour to clean up. @#$%!
Becky 08.01.2013
Sorry you spilled your smoothie. I hate it when I spill out of the freezer like that. But, looking on the bright side, it’s the only time my freezer or under the fridge gets cleaned :)
I made your mango pineapple smoothie again and loved it! I put the leftovers in a popsicle mold and it was good that way, too. Better in smoothie form, but a fun treat nonetheless!
Debtgirl 08.01.2013
Oh my! Its steaming up in here! Good luck IGE
Tracy 08.01.2013
Oh dear Kristin, the end is in sight. Hang in there!!
Try adding cocoa powder to cherry/spinach. YUM!
Trader Joe’s sells frozen spinach in a bag which is much easier than a frozen box to use a portion for smoothies. I usually keep a couple bags on hand.
Blessings!
Nicole 08.01.2013
Last fall I was 12 days overdue without a hint of labor in sight. I tried everything too. Then, the day before I was to be induced, I went into labor and my daughter was born 12 hours later! I had planned on working right up until her birth, but I finally started my maternity leave because I thought if I heard “You’re STILL PREGNANT??” one more time I would die.
Lizzie 08.01.2013
You should try Qdoba if there are any around! I think it’s better than Chipotle, and they have a queso burrito as well. Plus a really great Mexican gumbo, and quesadillas are on the menu. :-)
Kelly 08.01.2013
Umm I think you had me at cherry pie – I absolutely LOVE this recipe! Pinned it for later because I can’t wait to try it! :)
Amanda 08.01.2013
Maybe you could rush order this dressing or try to recreate it?
http://www.maternitysalad.com/
Emily H 08.01.2013
Oh man! I thought maybe when you didn’t post yesterday you were at the hospital with little man. Was hoping for a baby post today. Prayers for you in your last few days of pregnancy!
Hannah 08.01.2013
Hey! Hope you’ll have your Iowa Baby soon! The eggplant dish looks soooo yummy…can you post the recipe please? Would love to give it a try on the weekend as it’s so hot here and I need some mediterranean flavours in my kitchen!
Susan 08.01.2013
That recipe sounds refreshing! Too bad you had to clean it up by yourself. If Ben was still home he wuld have done it for you!
Have you googled Doula tips? Our neighbor delivered their baby in their bathtub. She loved it. I also know that she drank red raspberry tea 6 weeks before going into labor. The tea helps with your delivery. I think she got it at Earthmama.com
I know you will deliver at a hospital but maybe you can find some things to help you (and Ben) get thru the labor and delivery process easier. Maybe you can go and see your brother’s chiropractor?
It won’ be much longer. Hang in there!
Susan 08.01.2013
OOPS!
It’s earthmamaangelbaby.com
Emily 08.01.2013
I feel for you, Kristin! My first little guy was 10 days late and then I was induced. I completely understand how hard it is to wait. Once you hit 37 weeks and are “full-term” you get in the mindset that it could possibly be any day…and then a month later you are still pregnant. Ugh! What I found entertaining to do at the end was to go out a lot and inevitably people ask when you are due. It was hilarious to watch their expressions when I would say “a week ago.” It’s the little things :) Best wishes to you…hang in there!
Molly 08.01.2013
I have done this before with smoothies! It’s the absolute worst to clean up. I am excited to try this recipe.
Mae 08.01.2013
Sorry about the spill, and I hope that baby comes just as soon as he is ready! Best wishes for a smooth and healthy delivery! :)
Lauren 08.01.2013
Oh my gosh, I am laughing so hard at the picture of your spill!! So sorry to hear that happened, but glad you included it here for the humor factor. Good luck waiting for your little man to arrive!
char eats greens 08.01.2013
Plus, you’re very pregnant!!! Gah! I hate when stuff like that happens. I did something similar to that with iced coffee yesterday. But, sad thing is, it has happened to me before and I didn’t learn because I did it again yesterday – water and ground coffee ALL over my counter!
I love the idea of freezing your own spinach and I don’t know how I haven’t attempted that before. I might make those “smoothie packages” where you organize everything in a baggy for an individual smoothie. Those sound fool-proof and exactly what my hubby needs to make it out the door on time (not like this morning where he was running 10 mins behind hah) Hope that baby comes sooN!!!
Heather {A Fire Pole in the Dining Room} 08.01.2013
I feel like I’m on IGE Baby Watch 2013! Each morning I come to work and log into Bloglovin to hit your blog and see if the baby boy is here. :) Like you said, no one stays pregnant forever. Hang in there!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm 08.01.2013
Secretly heathy is the BEST! When it tastes soooo darn good you forget it’s good for you! That is what I am ALL about! This looks AMAZING and the photos are perfection! Thanks for also showing us your human!
Kristin Mohn 08.01.2013
In your post you mentioned a “counter” full of fruits and veggies. Which ones do you leave on the counter and which ones go in the fridge? I’m always struggling for room in our fridge, so any that I could leave out on the counter would be awesome. Berries, zuchinni, asparagus???
Iowa Girl Eats 08.01.2013
Great question! Here’s what I usually leave on my counter: citrus (lemons, limes, oranges, etc) tomatoes, avocados, onions/garlic, peaches, squash, melons and pineapple (uncut,) bananas, pears, mangoes.
Here’s what I put in my fridge: apples (though those can be counter top – I just happen to hate room temp apples,) plums, cherries, zucchini, asparagus, eggplant, lettuce/greems, green onions, herbs (though my Mom keeps those out,) cucumbers, mushrooms, berries, carrots, celery, and really anything else.
I know people do different things, but that’s what I do anyway! :)
Emily @ More Than Just Dessert 08.01.2013
Haha, I love your first couple sentences and the humor :) Hoping that baby makes an appearance soon!
Kayla 08.01.2013
One, hang in there lady; you’re almost there!
Two, freeze spinach? Seriously? I’m all over it!
And three, carpal tunnel sucks monkey butt. I have it too — really badly — and can’t do much of anything, yet push through an 8-hour day at the paper because I have to. Ugh. Can’t wait till it goes away!