A Motorcycle Accident and Strawberries Galore

Sadly, after getting started on my blog, shortly after my last post, my husband was in a terrible motorcycle accident while on a trip out of state.  A few weeks later I had our strong, healthy baby girl.  My husband was in the hospital, but thankfully was able to return home after a couple of months.  Our little one is an adorable eight month old and getting bigger and bigger, and Ev is now a three year old terror.

 

Needless to say, this blog has been completely ignored.

Not anymore!

We've finally been able to get out and do the things we wanted to when we moved to our cute little town. We've visited our cute little park many times, and just the other day visited our farmer's market.  It was quite small, but they had lots and lots of strawberries and oranges.  Both were so sweet I couldn't get enough of them (of course I had to stop myself because, well, we all know what happens when you eat too much fruit all at once!).

I decided to make some fruit flavored water because I had purchased so many strawberries and oranges.  I just used what I had.  I added to my pitcher:

• 12 hulled strawberries, quartered,
• one medium sized orange, peeled and wedged
• I added water to fill it and left it in the fridge overnight.  

It was delicious, with a faint sweetness, and very refreshing in this 90 degree California weather.  It was also slightly pink, so Ev loved that!  When we finished the water, we just refilled it, let it sit for another hour or so, and it was even sweeter!  The strawberry scent is wonderful too.

We also made smoothies with our batch of strawberries.  I used this Easy Strawberry Smoothie Recipe I found on Natasha's Kitchen.  It was delicious, but I like my smoothies a little thicker.  I think next time I'll cut the amount of coconut milk in half and add a 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt.

Anyway, I've also been sewing throughout the last several months, so more of those projects coming soon!

Ahhhh...Smoothies

I can't get enough of homemade smoothies!  I LOVE them!  My daughter does too, and it's a great way to get a variety of nutrients into her diet.  I've tried pretty much every frozen fruit available, some fresh fruits, and ground flax seeds with blueberry.  I mix in frozen juice cubes, Greek yogurt, different varieties of juice and coconut milk.

One of my favorite sources for smoothie recipes is Whole Living.  They have 25 Quick and Easy Recipes, Breakfast Smoothies, and 7 Detox Smoothies.  My favorite recipe so far is one I found in their magazine while at work.  I modified it a little below, but here it is, the Strawberry-Coconut Smoothie

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 3/4 cup frozen mangoes
• 1 banana
• 2 Tbsp (light) coconut milk (I've used both and they both taste good)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 3/4 cup water

I just blend it on my nothing-special-blender on chop.  I might have to stir it a couple times, but it pretty much gets everything going, and I mix until smooth.

Enjoy!