Spring Green Chocolate Smoothie

So have I ever told you that my husband does all of our grocery shopping? Each week he goes to the states and shops at Sam's, where, even with the cost of gas, it's cheaper to shop than here in Mexico.

I am one lucky girl.

I email him a list, complete with the quantities of each item, and it is like placing an order at an internet grocer.

Except for one thing.

John grew up here in our tiny Mexican farm town, and here, one has to hoard, as one never knows when one will be taking a trip to the states to get groceries or other necessities. So, when I mentioned how I write the quantities next to each item, these quantities are not always acknowledged.

Now, I don't mean to sound ungrateful by any means, but sometimes, this causes just a small problem. For instance, I asked John to purchase a box of spring greens; one box of spring greens. One box will feed our family for about a week, and will spoil if it's left in the fridge any longer. John bought three boxes of spring greens.

Again, I am so grateful for the fact that he shops for me every week, but as I didn't want these spring greens to go to waste, I needed to come up with a way to use all three boxes during the week, and the following recipe is what I created... and it was magnificent... and I'm thankful for the silver lining on this incident that could have been ugly.

Spring Green Chocolate Shake

Ingredients:

2 cups almond or cow's milk
3 cups spring greens
2 ripe bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 cup honey or agave nectar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 cups ice

Directions:

Blend all ingredients in a blender.

Note: As I learned in yesterday's recipe, a tad of soy sauce somehow brings out the chocolate flavor. Try it and you'll be amazed!

Really, this shake was delicious and I ended up drinking one for dinner and felt totally filled. Thanks again, John, for hoarding spring greens and giving me this opportunity to try something new. This is such an awesome way to get those sometimes illusive dark leafy greens!

Oh, and the kids loved it as much as I did, especially the twins. Want some?...

Thanks for listening!

On 365 Days of TV-Free Toddler Time today:
It's Football Time! Click the pic to see.



On life in mexico {and other places} a picture a day today:
{drum lessons}

Homemaker Monday: Strawberry Slushes

Welcome to the 70th weekly edition of...


Thank you for joining us! If you're new to this carnival and would like to enter your post, please check HERE for the rules and regs.

YOURS: Choosing this week's "YOURS" was such a difficult decision. There were links to the world's easier guacamole, 12-layer chocolate cake, and tips on how to protect yourself from the flu this winter. But, since I had to choose one, I choose Sweet Pea over at The Newlyweds for her post on her favorite holiday dip, cranberry caramelized onion cheese dip. Yes, it's a mouthful, but after you check out her photography, you'll want a mouthful!

This recipe sounds unique, delicious and so festive and I can't wait to try it. I always love Sweet Pea's tutorials, as they are filled with colorful and beautiful photography and I would recommend that all of you go check out her blog. Thank you so much, Sweet Pea, for linking up and always participating in Homemaker Monday. I really appreciate it! For Sweet Pea's recipe, click HERE.

MINE: This week I would like to share one of my favorite, most refreshing drinks. This is totally not wintry or Christmas-y at all, as it is ice cold, but I'm going to post it anyway because it's my blog, and that is what I get to do.

Strawberry Slush

Ingredients:
2 cups frozen, sliced strawberries
1 to 1 1/2 cups water (depending on desired thickness)
Sweetener to taste, such as agave nectar, honey or sugar (2 tablespoons at most)
2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If you're using a Vita-Mix, don't blend for more than 30 seconds, as your strawberries will begin to melt because of the heat.

And if you want, you can drink this while you are painting Christmas ornaments...

OURS: Okay, what homemaking tips, recipes, how-tos or even disasters (help us learn from your mistakes!) do you have for us today? If you've never entered a link before, feel free to look through your archives and enter anything homemaking. Thank you so much, all of you, for joining us on a weekly basis and I hope you have a happy Homemaker Monday!



And for your holiday enjoyment, the 7-year-old girl's favorite Christmas song...

Homemaker Monday: Dark Chocolate Banana Smoothies

Welcome to the 54th weekly edition of...


Thank you for joining us! If you're new to this carnival and would like to enter your post, please check HERE for the rules and regs.

YOURS: This week's "YOURS" goes to Tracey over at Girls To Grow. Her post is about finding the positive in our children, perhaps noticing how much dirt they track OUT rather than track IN...


This post touched me because this is the very thing I have been trying to improve in my life. In fact, just last week marked the beginning of an experiment to go for a week without complaining to my husband about ANYTHING. It was difficult at times, as I felt like I wasn't being as open as I was used to, but I think it made for a much more positive week, and I'm hoping it rubs off on the rest of the family. Thank you so much, Tracey, for your insight and inspiration. If you'd like, please feel free to grab the "I Was Featured" button from the left sidebar. For Tracey's entire post, click HERE.

MINE: My feature this week is one of my favorite smoothie recipes of all time. The 14-year-old girl came up with this particular recipe, but it can be altered in many ways. For instance, one of my best friends adds a cup of water and lots more ice to give this smoothie a lighter, more slushy feel. Or, if dark chocolate doesn't do it for you, you can substitute regular cocoa powder. Don't like bananas? Make a dark chocolate strawberry smoothie! The possibilities are endless. In the following video featuring the 13-year-old boy, a Vita-Mix is used, but a regular blender will work, too, just probably will take a bit longer and the smoothie won't be as smooth as if it were made in a Vita-Mix. If you don't have time to watch the video, but want the recipe, I have completely considered your needs and have posted the recipe right below the video. You can thank me later. Enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Banana Smoothies
(Makes about 4 servings)

Place the following ingredients in a blender and enjoy...

2 cups milk, soy milk or nut milk
2 cups ice
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons agave nectar, honey or sugar
1/3 cup dark or regular cocoa powder
1 frozen banana


OURS: Okay, let's see what all of you amazing homemakers have for us today! If this is your first time here, don't be afraid to go through your archives and dig out a tip or recipe to link up here. thanks for joining us here today and I hope you have a GREAT Homemaker Monday!Here's Mcklinky!




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