At our house, we love to have homemade smoothies in the Summertime. Not only are they yummy and refreshing–especially on a hot Summer day!–but they can also be quite frugal. Yes, really, smoothies can be frugal!
Almost any kind of fruit can be used in a smoothie, but berries are especially good. During the Summer months when berries are in season and plentiful, the sales on them are usually abundant. Buy a little extra each week and wash, chop, and freeze them to have for later and you'll save a bundle and stock your freezer with a nice variety of berries to use in smoothies for a few months to come.
I like to spread the berries on baking sheets after I've washed and chopped them and then stick them in the freezer until they are frozen. Once frozen, I transfer them from the baking sheets to freezer bags. This method prevents all of your berries forming into one big clump in the freezer bag and makes it much easier for you to get out a cup or two at a time to add to your blender for a smoothie.
Another fruit which is a must-have in smoothies is bananas. Our stores sell bananas which are past their prime for a very reduced price. I buy these up and we eat what we can the first day and then chop and freeze the rest to use in smoothies and banana bread. This is a much more cost-effective way to add bananas to your smoothies and you can't tell that a banana was a bit overripe if it is in a smoothie!
Since I love experimenting in the kitchen, I find smoothies to be a great way to use up some of those odds and ends of produce from the refrigerator and freezer. From that little bit of leftover juice or yogurt which wasn't used for breakfast the day before to the spinach from the garden which you have in abundance, almost anything can go into a smoothie so long as you put enough other things in it to "hide" it!
The other day, I used the items pictured above to whip up some strawberry smoothies: some of the YoBaby yogurt, frozen strawberries, milk, and some Santa Cruiz juice.
I always begin by adding in the frozen fruit and any fresh fruit, then yogurt or milk, and then liquids (either milk or juice). I add more liquid if needed and sweeten it with honey or sugar if it needs it (most of the time, we don't add sweetener as the fruit is plenty enough!).
And the girls just gobble it up!
We love strawberry smoothies, but another family favorite is our Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie recipe which is posted here. I made it up on a whim one day and we all decided it was a keeper! If you're a little more adventuresome, you might also try Green Smoothies. We've made these before and no one seemed to even notice the spinach in them!
Would you like to try your hand at making smoothies? Just for fun, I'm giving away a Smoothie Kit on my blog today complete with yummy smoothie recipes, a small Hamilton-Beach blender (shown above), and Bone Health t-shirts.
May was National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month and the Milk Bone Health Program was going to give away this kit then, but since I had a baby in May, I'm a little behind here. But I thought it'd be fun to still give away this kit–especially since it's a wonderful time of year to be making smoothies.
To enter to win this Smoothie Kit, just leave a comment on this post in the next 24 hours. I'll randomly choose a winner once this giveaway is closed.
The girls, enjoying their smoothies and sporting their "I {love} strong bones" t-shirts.
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Thanks for the great idea. PLease enter me into the drawing.
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YAY!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
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We have just started making smoothies for afternoon snacks around here, but I haven’t got the perfect mix yet- I am still working on it.!!!
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What cute kiddos you have! My kids love smoothies too!
Thanks!
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Oohh–I’ve been needed a new blender. A child seems to have lost my lid! Great give-a-way
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Smoothies are a huge favorite around here. Thanks for the recipes I have been wanting to experiment more!
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smoothie goodness. i would whip some up with stuff from the garden and some soy milk for my son. wholesome goodness for the allergy king!
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My blender just broke, so I hope I win!
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What a great giveaway! Please enter me!
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Thanks for doing this blog – I save so much money because of you and get to try so many neat products.
Have a great day.
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I love smoothies! I would love to be entered in the giveaway.
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Is it too late? LOL I don’t know what time zone you’re in, but I am in need of a new blender
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We would love to start making smoothies!
Thank you!
Brad Malone
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I have added smoothies to my breakfast menu during my pregnancy (I’m 32 weeks now). They were a great way to get some protein, calcium, and fruit into my diet even when I was rushed in the morning to get to my job as a teacher. I saved money by purchasing the fruit from the farmers market through a co-op when it is in season (a whole flat of strawberries/blueberries or a basket of peaches goes a long way!). I was also able to get my husband who is not usually a breakfast person to drink them, with an added scoop of protein mix.
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Smoothies are a must in FL!
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Your smoothie looks delicious!
Rhonda
rgbarron01 at yahoo dot com
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We love smoothies, too, with all kinds of berries and great deals on yogurt from Kroger! Thanks for this opportunity!
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Sounds very delicious! I want to Win!!!!!!
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Thanks for the chance to win….We love smoothies and my blender was broken recently….;(
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THANKS!
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LET ME WIN!!!!
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Cool!
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I love smoothies! I have twin boys, who are just starting to work on solid foods.
You can see them at http://bellinboys.blogspot.com
Great giveaway!
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My kids love smoothies!
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I would love a smoothie blender…a little motivation to make them for my girls!! Thanks!
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I love making smoothies and then freezing them. I take them out a few hours before I want to eat them and have a quick healthy treat.
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Yay for smoothies! I never seem to remember these when I’m looking for a yummy summer treat – thanks for the reminder!
~vee
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These sound yummy – I bet both my 2 and 1-year-old girls will love them and it would be even cooler to win the giveaway! thanks,
Jenn
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I love smoothies, but do not make them that much
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Smoothies are yummy!
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What a wonderful giveaway. My DD had her first smoothie not to long ago and loves them. Their great for letting her practice drinking out of a regular cup since they are thicker then milk or water. I would love to be able to whip some up at home.
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My mom always made us smoothies (some were better than others, she used beets in hers sometimes) and now I make them every so often for my kids. Still not as good as my mama’s though!
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When I only have time to read a couple of blogs, I always make sure yours is one of them. I love the tips and info you provide and your girls are adorable!! My family loves smoothing, but I never even thought about freezing the fresh fruit, I don’t know why, I guess it just didn’t occur to me. Guess I will be doing that for sure now!!
Thanks again!! Love ya!!!!!!
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I LOVE smoothies, but unfortunately rarely make them! My blender doesn’t work so well… Thanks for the opportunity to win!!!
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we love smoothies!
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yummm I love smoothies!!
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I would love to win this. Great giveaway for the summer heat.
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Yum! You have me drooling at the keyboard! Thanks so much for the chance!!
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Love smoothies and love your site. Thanks for keeping me up to date on deals and other ways to save.
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Who doesn’t love them some smoothies!
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Would love to have a blender for smoothies! Thanks for the chance to win!
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I’d love to try making smoothies! Esp with the warmer weather!
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sounds yummy to me!
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OOO we had strawberry bannana smoothies for breakfast!
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Hope I’m not too late to be considered, but we love smoothies, and so do my two grandsons. Smoothies may be the only way to get some “good for them” fruits and veggies into their tummies!
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I love smoothies! Making them at home they can be so healthy too!
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I’d love a new blender- ours is 2nd hand and 25 years old. It doesn’t even come close to breaking up ice.
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Smoothies are the Best!!!
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Thanks for the post! I just discovered “green smoothies” and am totally hooked! Need to try some other, more “fun” types, too.
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We’re big smoothie drinkers here. We add greens to ours to kick it up a notch. Anything from kale, spinach, chard — we love ‘em all!
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We love smoothies, and buying them from those smoothie places can get expensive fast!!!! Thanks for the tips and for the giveaway.
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TOTALLY could use a smoothie kit. My kids always want smoothies!
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What a great giveaway. I’d love to enter it’s not too late. Love your blog, you are truly an inspiration.
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I would love to win this! My kids love smoothies!!
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Manking smoothies is one way to get fruit into my kids. I cna even sneek in a vegetable now and then which makes it even better.
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Smoothies! =)
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My daughter (and the whole family) loves smoothies so much that she has requested them for two birthday in row. Sadly our blender is on it’s way out. Mommy would love to get a free one.
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I’ve always wanted to try smoothies but we don’t have a blender, and it doesn’t make the cut for the budget. Thanks for the chance to win!
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Thanks for the ideas! I’m not much of a breakfast eater but I know how important it is to have. Smoothies are a great substitute. And thanks for the ideas on freezing fruit. I never thought about freezing bananas.
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We love smoothies too!
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I do something called a Green Smoothie. My 2 year old loves them bu the 4 yr old and Daddy do not. I need to try something a little sweeter for them. Thanks.
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I could really use a new blender!
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I have been planning to look up a green smoothie recipe all week. Going to try it out at my moms this week.
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Smoothies sound delicious! I can’t think of anything better with 90 degree temps already this morning.
Thanks for the tip on freezing the fruit. I will try that to avoid the massve hunk of fruit I have gotten in the past.
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I’d love to win this, my blender is about 20 years old and is on its last leg.
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I love smoothies!
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I feel silly for saying this, but I have never even THOUGHT of making smothies for my family. But, wow….what a great idea! Like you said, you can pack them pretty much full of anything and they are a yummy, easy-to-make treat. I also love the idea of slicing up bananas that are about to “go bad” and freezing them for later use. Again, thanks for the great ideas!
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Hi
Thanks for the chance to win a blender. V don’t have one n so use the one at my friends house(can b awkward tho”). I have found 5.5 lbs bags of frozen berries during the summer at $3.99/bag which I think is a good deal n one bag lasts for a while, too.
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Oh wow, sounds great!
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Thank you for all the GREAT tips you give us moms. I am new at this couponing, frugel life style but I am loving it. I must say it is alot of work and kind of mind boggeling at first. I read your site first thing everyday. Thank you!
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Now that my garden is producing aplenty, boy could I use this kit!
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We love smoothies:) Thanks for entering me!
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Fun – we’d love to try it in Nebraska.
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Smoothies are the best!!
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loves the smoothies idea, something I always forget about!!
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I’m going to take your ideas and start freezing fruit and making smoothies at my house!!
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Gotta love smoothies!
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Thank you for the GREAT smoothie recipes!
I enjoy reading your site, it is a big help.
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My husband loves smoothies! He uses frozen strawberries instead of any ice. The frozen bananas are a great idea. Thanks!
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Yay! for smoothies. We love orange smoothies much like an orange julius! Would be a blessing to win this great giveaway!
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I’ve never really tried a smoothie but I’m interested to try – and I”m sure my kids would love it!
leannedra@gmail.com
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I love a good smoothie and thank you for a chance to win!
Cara
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I love that you can hide other healthy things in smoothies like spinach. Just wish my blender didn’t break!
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Found your blog today and love it! I cannot wait to make the peanut butter banana smoothie!!
Great giveaway, too!
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Am I too late?
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Smoothies are a great treat anytime! Would love to win!
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I tried to do smoothies for breakfast but i am no where near as creative as you all, i was following directions and they were calling for things that i had never heard of!
Pauline
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We also love smoothies! One of our new favorites: vanilla yogurt, frozen banana, Tang, and milk. “Mum! Mum!” is what my 1 1/2 year old says!
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I love smoothies but don’t make them very often because my blender is wearing out. Would love to try out a new blender!
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Smoothies are great and thanks for the tip on freezing the fruit. I hadn’t thought of that.
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Yum, gotta LOVE smoothies!
Marie Cluff
cluffgirl@hotmail.com
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