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/$3 sale and freeze a few bags for easy smoothie additions when I need ’em.
Finally add 1/4 cup milk – any kind will do. If you used frozen cherries and/or peaches you may need a touch more to get the smoothie goin’.
Place a lid on top of the blender and let ‘er rip!
Sweet, decadent, and seriously (shh – secretly!) healthy!
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Cherry-Peach Smoothies
Description
Secretly Healthy Cherry-Peach Smoothies have a healthy ingredient nobody will ever guess is in there!
Ingredients
- 6oz Black Cherry or Peach Chobani Greek Yogurt
- 1 cup pitted fresh or frozen sweet cherries
- 1 fresh peach, sliced OR 1 cup frozen peach slices
- 1 - 2 cups fresh or flash-frozen baby spinach (see note below)
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond breeze)
Directions
- Combine yogurt, cherries, and peach slices in a blender then add 1 - 2 cups baby spinach (this will depend on your preference. I personally cannot taste baby spinach in smoothies, but if you are just starting out I'd add just 1 cup.) Add 1/4 cup milk then blend until very smooth, adding up to an additional 1/4 cup milk if necessary to blend all ingredients.
Notes
To freeze baby spinach yourself, transfer fresh baby spinach to a freezer bag and then freeze.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Because I think cherries are such a special treat, as they have such a short season each year, this smoothie tastes especially decadent to me. Could be eaten as a breakfast, OR a healthier dessert option. Totally your call. Either way, enjoy!
Oh, also, life tip #4,637: Do not leave a blender full of Secretly Healthy Cherry-Peach Smoothies perched precariously on a shelf in your freezer while you clean up the kitchen. This will happen when you open the door, which will make your head nearly explode and take almost an hour to clean up. @#$%!
Mark 08.02.2013
Woo! Saw the new baby on your Twitter, wanted to send my heartfelt congrats!!
Susan 08.02.2013
Are you saying that Kristen had their baby? Are you sure of that?
jad18 08.02.2013
She posted a picture to her twitter account a couple hours ago.
Susan 08.02.2013
Oh my! I just saw the pics and Kristen looks great!
Kristen and Ben have an adorable baby!
Congratulations!
maggie 08.02.2013
i knew it! no friday favorites by 6pm really gave it away. well congratulations! i don’t have twitter so i’ll just be patiently waiting for a post!
Jacki 08.02.2013
Hmmmmm…..no Friday Favorites…..busy with “other things” I hope!!!!
Heather M. 08.02.2013
This was absolutely, completely, totally delicious! It’s my new favorite “green” smoothie. Thank you for sharing and best wishes when you finally head to the hospital! : )
DeNae 08.02.2013
Kristen –
I went two weeks past my due date – walked, drove bumpy gravel roads, etc. and finally someone told me to eat pizza and I did for lunch and was in labor at 2 am the next morning. So give it a try – if it don’t work atleast you get to eat pizza!!
Good luck?
Pallavi 08.02.2013
This looks so tasty and healthy too. Great to have this recipe for my breakfasts.
Dj3 08.01.2013
Wow, talk about unsolicited advice here! Love your blog and this looks delicious
JennP 08.01.2013
As much as it sucks to be past due, before you know it your little man will be 5 months old and you won’t even believe that you were stressing over a few days! Relish that big, healthy baby that is growing to perfection inside of you! My first pregnancy resulted in micro-preemie twins, and it was such a scary ordeal. My third was a big, late 8 pounder, and her delivery was the happiest, most purely joyful moment of my life! Congrats to your family!
Jenny 08.01.2013
I mean this in the most loving way possible, but I hope we don’t hear from you for a few days! I’m dying to meet Iowa Baby Eats, so I can’t even imagine how you feel :) Good luck momma!
April 08.01.2013
I’m about to rock your cherry smoothie world. 1 c frozen cherries (I get the organic ones at Costco), 1 banana, 1 gigantic quantity of spinach, 2 tbsp cocoa powder (or however much you like), 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (this makes it more filling to me), 1 cup or so of milk. I also add a tablespoon or so of coconut oil for the health benefits. Chocolate covered cherry smoothie. When I’m out of cherries I use strawberries. To. Die. For. It’s like dessert for breakfast. You’re welcome.
Chandra 08.01.2013
From one Iowa girl to another, Hy-Vee grape pop. And wait! He will make his appearance soon!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven 08.01.2013
Bummer about the mess! Looks yummy though! Love the color.
Trisha 08.01.2013
Oh man, still no baby?! I’m cherry obsessed these days so this smoothie is really talkin’ to me. Hopefully all that floor cleaning got baby moving around and ready to make his grand entrance!
Jackie 08.01.2013
There is a certain part of your foot you are supposed to avoid massaging when pregnant. Maybe you should ask hubby for a good foot massage . . .
Chris 08.01.2013
This may be a really dumb question, but I’ll ask it anyway… How do you freeze the baby spinach? Just throw it in a Ziploc and into the freezer?
Emily 08.01.2013
Oh noooes for both no baby and messy freezer cleanup. But hooray for hardwood floors! I pulled out a humungo bowl of punch when I was four onto a kitchen floor made of….wait for it…carpet!!! My mom cried I think. Lol
I’m definitely going to try your smoothies; I just bought a magic bullet, and Greek yogurt + fruit + smoothies = love.
Good luck with baby!
andi 08.01.2013
That baby won’t make an appearance until he is good and ready. :) I have 3 boys so I know what I am talking about. Best wishes for a healthy and happy delivery.
Bonnie 08.01.2013
Love your blog! Just wanted to share my secret weapon for inducing labor-an ounce of castor oil with 2 ounces orange juice- drink it like a shot. Then, give yourself an enema. Followed by a hot shower. I was 2 weeks postdates with my first and that did it. By the way, I ended up going 10 and 12 days postdates with #2 and #3 too. Good for you for being patient. Your baby is finishing up some hard work in there.
ps. love the frozen spinach tip. file that under ‘why didn’t I think of that??’
jamie 08.01.2013
$1.98 for cherries!!? They’re still $4/lb here in Portland. Although I haven’t gone to a farmers market. Yum.
em@simplypresent 08.01.2013
Peaches & Cherries – such a “summer” combination!
I’ve been needing motivation to break out my blender and use up some frozen spinach. Maybe I’ll give this smoothie a try. Thanks!
Kendra 08.01.2013
Kristin!! Go ahead and “hold off” until Saturday – then me and your little guy can share birthdays!! :D (I’m sure you’re shaking your fist at me right now ;) )