Smoothies

by crystal on June 25, 2009

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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andrea v June 25, 2009 at 7:46 pm: this sounds great, would love to try them
Kristin Donley June 25, 2009 at 7:47 pm: I love smoothies her is a Jenny Craig Receipe for a low fat one 1 frozen bannan a small contianer of yogurt and some skim milk with a tbls Peanut better. it is oh so good!!!!
Dawn June 25, 2009 at 7:49 pm: We love smoothies and we get very creative with these too!
Melissa June 25, 2009 at 7:49 pm: I’ve never made smoothies for my kids.
What a great Idea!!
Christy June 25, 2009 at 7:49 pm: We love smoothies and our blender just broke!
Michele June 25, 2009 at 7:50 pm: Those smoothies look so delicious!
MrsTea June 25, 2009 at 7:50 pm: I’ve never made smoothies for my kids but am inspired to now! We’re always looking for new, exciting, and healthy snacks! Thanks!!!
Amanda June 25, 2009 at 7:50 pm: mandajanie at gmail dot com
Dena June 25, 2009 at 7:51 pm: Thanks! My kids love smoothies!
Karen June 25, 2009 at 7:51 pm: we love smoothies, count me in
rachel June 25, 2009 at 7:53 pm: What a great giveaway, I love smoothies!
Krissy June 25, 2009 at 7:53 pm: Oh my God…we love smoothies and I can never seem to get them to taste as good as they should be…always too thick…this would be great for me and my family!! Love your blogs and thanks for all your information you share!!
Lisa June 25, 2009 at 7:53 pm: I’ve been wanting to start making smoothies forever and just have never started. Your post inspired me and since we have some fresh-picked strawberries, I believe we’ll make one first thing tomorrow!
Elizabeth June 25, 2009 at 7:56 pm: great giveaway thanks
shari June 25, 2009 at 7:56 pm: we love to make smoothies too, I like to put frozen spinach in ours, the kids can’t taste it LOL but it makes me laugh that they are eating a veggie that think they HATE
Cheryl June 25, 2009 at 7:56 pm: I heart smoothies, and I could use a new blender!
Laura Cooper June 25, 2009 at 7:56 pm: We love smoothies too!
sherri June 25, 2009 at 7:57 pm: We love smoothies; they’re so refreshing!
Suzy Doss June 25, 2009 at 7:57 pm: Wow!!! What a fabulous giveaway! Smoothies are a great treat in this hot Texas heat (already past 100)! Thanks for all of your hard work!
Sarah June 25, 2009 at 7:59 pm: I love making smoothies for my girls as well. My youngest is a very picky eater, but I can always get healthy fruit, yogurt etc into her by making a smoothie. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sarah
imascubagirl@yahoo.com
Marci June 25, 2009 at 8:02 pm: My boys love smoothies for a snack!
Lisa June 25, 2009 at 8:02 pm: Ive never had a smoothie before…If I dont win, I will ask my kids to buy me one for my July 7th birthday.
Susan June 25, 2009 at 8:02 pm: Great! Thanks, Crystal!
Courtney June 25, 2009 at 8:02 pm: I cannot wait to try the PB&B smoothie! Simple and easy…love it!
Mitzi Halverson June 25, 2009 at 8:02 pm: We love smoothies and could really use a smoothie maker!
Scott June 25, 2009 at 8:03 pm: My wife and I make smoothies almost daily as part of our workout routine. A little fruit goes a long way! We love the idea of adding spinach!
W Paff June 25, 2009 at 8:03 pm: I would love to try those smoothie recipes. Cute pictures of your taste testers
LB Ruskaup June 25, 2009 at 8:04 pm: I just made peanut butter and banana smoothies, they are awesome!
Charlotte June 25, 2009 at 8:04 pm: This would be wonderful!
Thanks for the great recipes!
Colleen June 25, 2009 at 8:05 pm: thanks for the fun giveaway!
chari June 25, 2009 at 8:05 pm: sounds great!
Lauren June 25, 2009 at 8:07 pm: Thanks for your helpful blog… I need all the inspiration I can get!
Kate Duff June 25, 2009 at 8:07 pm: We love smoothies! I tried your peanut butter smoothie! Yum! I add strawberries, too, sometimes.
Dawn June 25, 2009 at 8:08 pm: Freezing them on a pan b4 putting them in a bag is a great idea. I’m going to try this next time!
Jamie Grupka June 25, 2009 at 8:10 pm: My kids love smoothies! I never thought of chopping bananas and freezing, that’s a great idea! Thanks!
Shelly Nissley June 25, 2009 at 8:11 pm: We love smoothies and I often wish for a smaller blender to pull out when the smoothie urge hits! We have a great blender but it’s part of the huge Bosch machine which takes up so much counter space when all I really need for smoothies is a little thing! Can’t wait to see who gets this refreshing give-away. =)
Kim June 25, 2009 at 8:14 pm: We love smoothies. They are much cheaper at home than going out to get them.
Katie June 25, 2009 at 8:14 pm: Smoothies….yum!
Jenny June 25, 2009 at 8:15 pm: I just got some bananas today from Kroger on clearance! Some even organic and put them in the freezer. I am learning so much from you!!
Erica June 25, 2009 at 8:15 pm: We love smoothies too. I’ve always wanted to try your peanut butter banana smoothie, but I always tend to forget about it until after they are made.
Sarah June 25, 2009 at 8:16 pm: I hope I win this. I am a big fan of smoothies. Have you ever tried using cooled green tea as the liquid in smoothies you make? I read that idea once, and love it. It is a a nice way to add more antioxidants, as well as more liquid without all of the extra calories.
susan June 25, 2009 at 8:16 pm: Oh, I would love this kit. My blender is so old that it struggles chopping frozen stuff. Please pick me.
Rebecca June 25, 2009 at 8:17 pm: Adorable pixs! Thanks for the recipe. Smoothies are a favorite in our house too. Not to sure about spinach. Yuck!!!
Holly June 25, 2009 at 8:17 pm: Mmm! We love smoothies! I need to start freezing bananas like you do.
Naomi Roberts June 25, 2009 at 8:18 pm: Great giveaway!
Christine M! June 25, 2009 at 8:18 pm: Awesome giveaway!! My kids loved the free smoothy last weekend for flipflop day and it would be fun to make some at the house!
Sspence June 25, 2009 at 8:19 pm: Yay! Smoothies…Yummy. My girls and I would LOVE it!
Thanks so much for all you do—your site is awesome!
Holly in OK June 25, 2009 at 8:19 pm: Thanks for the reminder that you can freeze the bananas. I know, not rocket science, but I always think I need to use them up for the smoothies just as they’re starting to overripen, then once they’re too ripe, they get chucked or used for banana bread…eventually. But hello! Freeze them in chunks, Holly!! Sometimes the obvious escapes us! Or me…

I’ve been meaning to try the green smoothie, so thanks for the reminder!
robin June 25, 2009 at 8:22 pm: Great smoothie recipes!
Anne G June 25, 2009 at 8:23 pm: These look yummy
Tanya June 25, 2009 at 8:23 pm: Love your blog!
Joni June 25, 2009 at 8:23 pm: Before I jumped on the coupon and frugality bandwagon, I used to go to the local Planet Smoothie every morning for my favorite smoothie…The Hangover-over (not sure why it was named that). Nothing more than strawberries, bananas, and vanilla frozen yogurt. This would be great for me to make smoothies at home and get hung up on the Hangover-over all over again. I sure do miss them!
erin June 25, 2009 at 8:24 pm: oh this would be great my daughter loves smoothies!! so do i
JENNIFER June 25, 2009 at 8:25 pm: I love winning a great prize!! thanks for all the great deals!
michelle jenkins June 25, 2009 at 8:26 pm: i’d like a smoothie maker kit please..
Aimee Wallis June 25, 2009 at 8:27 pm: we also love smoothies they are so easy to make!
Lacey June 25, 2009 at 8:27 pm: I make smoothies almost every day, either strawberry banana or our own version of peanut butter and banana smoothie…we love them!
Jeeka June 25, 2009 at 8:30 pm: I have never tried to make smoothies with my kids before! I would love to win this so I can have more of the recipies!!! Thank you for doing this!

Jessica
Angie June 25, 2009 at 8:30 pm: I’m inspired to try some smoothies around our house now! THANKS!
Kathryn June 25, 2009 at 8:31 pm: I babysit in my home and the kids love stuff like this so I dont have a blender so I would love to be able to make them some smoothies while theyre at my house Id be the BEST BABYSITTER ever!!! Thanks for all the info you’re always posting.
Gayle June 25, 2009 at 8:32 pm: This is the perfect time of year for smoothies. Sounds wonderful right about now.
Cindy W. June 25, 2009 at 8:33 pm: Oooooh yummy…smoothies are pretty much the only thing my husband has for breakfast, and me and my kids love them too!
Cyndi June 25, 2009 at 8:34 pm: Our boys love smoothies, too. Can’t wait to freeze the fruit so we are always ready. Thanks for the tips!
Jenny June 25, 2009 at 8:34 pm: We love smoothies, too! Great giveaway.

Jennyb78@comcast.net
Lisa Higgins June 25, 2009 at 8:34 pm: Yummy Smoothies! My daughter just discovered how good they are and I use up fruit and juice! Great ideas!
Karlie June 25, 2009 at 8:34 pm: Thanks for the chance!
Karlie
Tracy June 25, 2009 at 8:34 pm: Yay! I’d love to win.

Tracy
Manda June 25, 2009 at 8:35 pm: i LOVE smoothies! that is actually one thing that i craved while i was pregnant! i will remember your idea about freezing your fruit! what a good idea to freeze it on a cookie sheet THEN transferring them into a baggie! oh and another good idea w/the bananas!
Jenna June 25, 2009 at 8:38 pm: I really did wonder why the girls seemed to be wearing brand new white t-shirts when eating fresh smoothies : ). Both of my oldest children learned to say, “Oxiclean emergency!!” quite early : ).
Kathy Frazier June 25, 2009 at 8:39 pm: Please enter me!!! Thanks!
Kathy F.
frazikat@embarqmail.com
Sue D June 25, 2009 at 8:40 pm: My son loves smoothies–this would be great to win!
Naomi Kessel June 25, 2009 at 8:41 pm: This looks like something I could use. I know smoothies are great if the right ingredients are put in them. Since my husband has diabetes and I have high cholesterol we are trying to take better care of ourselves.
Krystle Ross June 25, 2009 at 8:41 pm: My family loves smoothies, we make strawberry, banana and kiwi smoothies. They are amazing! We would love to win!
Danielle June 25, 2009 at 8:41 pm: Great giveaway!! We are smoothie and shake fans around here!!! Hubby loves to make them…I think it might have something to do with running the blender…it has a motor…..which means it’s manly…right? (smile!)
Pick US!!!!
Joanna June 25, 2009 at 8:41 pm: I have never made a homemade smoothie . . . shame on me. I LOVE the idea for the bananas . . . I will have to try that. Put me in you giveaway!!!
Helena June 25, 2009 at 8:42 pm: Count me in!
Ashley Miller June 25, 2009 at 8:42 pm: I would enjoy this giveaway! Thank-you!
Carrie June 25, 2009 at 8:43 pm: I would love this!
Jennie June 25, 2009 at 8:44 pm: Just made a peach smoothie tonight and was very disappointed with the state of my blender. I would love to win your giveaway!
laura June 25, 2009 at 8:45 pm: i’d love to win! thanks

lauraf(at)post(dot)com
heather June 25, 2009 at 8:45 pm: I just love this blog and all your neat ideas and tips! Hope I’m the winner!
Stephanie June 25, 2009 at 8:46 pm: We LOVE smoothies!!
Gina June 25, 2009 at 8:47 pm: Count me in! Our family loves smoothies!
Whitney June 25, 2009 at 8:49 pm: I just my regular ole blender, so I’d love to win this. That strawberry smoothie looks YUM!
Susan June 25, 2009 at 8:50 pm: I just started making smoothies at our house. They are so good! I hope to make many more too!
Jen B June 25, 2009 at 8:50 pm: Sounds great! Please enter me!
allison June 25, 2009 at 8:51 pm: Thank you so much for all your cooking recipes. You’ve really inspired me to start baking more!
Tracy June 25, 2009 at 8:51 pm: We would love this smoothie kit!
Julie Campbell June 25, 2009 at 8:54 pm: smoothies are a great healthy treat. THanks for your awesome blog!!! – Another mom of 3 (6 yr old girl, 4 year old girl and 2 year old boy )

Julie
Grace June 25, 2009 at 8:54 pm: Your smoothie looks delicious! Strawberry would be MY favorite
nan June 25, 2009 at 8:54 pm: Thanks for the great advice on freezing sliced bananas for smoothies. The family was getting tired of banana bread every week! LOL!
Juli June 25, 2009 at 8:55 pm: We love smoothies, too!
Connie R. June 25, 2009 at 8:57 pm: The girls look so cute. Smoothies look wonderfully yummy!
Thanks for the tips.
kate June 25, 2009 at 8:59 pm: Fun! Thank you!
Krista June 25, 2009 at 8:59 pm: I freeze my bananas whole in the peel. When I notice they are getting really ripe I just toss them in. The skin turns black but the inside stops ripening. Works great!
Melaina June 25, 2009 at 8:59 pm: Thanks for the info. Gonna have try those p-nut butter banana smoothies!!
Julie June 25, 2009 at 9:00 pm: I would love to win this! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Alissa June 25, 2009 at 9:01 pm: I found strawberries at Aldi a couple weeks ago for 49 cents a pound so I bought a bunch and am so glad I decided to freeze them! We have been enjoying smoothies around here!
Sue B June 25, 2009 at 9:02 pm: We love smoothies, espeially blueberry. My blender is on the fritz so this would be great! Thanks!
Rose June 25, 2009 at 9:03 pm: I love smoothies with OJ, Strawberries, & Yogurt! YUMMY!
Mandy June 25, 2009 at 9:04 pm: I love them!
Terra June 25, 2009 at 9:05 pm: Thanks for the great Smoothie recipes!! I would love a kit, my blender is definately on the way out, would love a new one!!
Kate June 25, 2009 at 9:05 pm: Yummmm! Smoothies are a family favorite!!
Lea Berry June 25, 2009 at 9:06 pm: I loved this post! We love experimenting with smoothies and I NEVER knew you could freeze Bananas so I am very excited about that thank you for sharing you knowledge with opportunities to win as a bonus
Ruth June 25, 2009 at 9:07 pm: We’ve tried the green smoothies and we are hooked. We put spinach. pineapples, and a banana and the kids love it. Thanks for offering another great giveaway! Ruth
Jo Riddle June 25, 2009 at 9:07 pm: I freeze berries and peaches like you do, but never thought to slice bananas. I always froze them whole, I will slice from now on for convenience of use. Thanks for the idea! Smoothies rock!
Jessica Clark June 25, 2009 at 9:07 pm: Thanks for the smoothie ideas!
Andrea Mattes June 25, 2009 at 9:09 pm: I’ve always wanted to make smoothies. Thanks for the ideas. Now I just need to win the blender.
Summer June 25, 2009 at 9:10 pm: We’ve been making tons of smoothies lately!
Delaine Gabriel June 25, 2009 at 9:11 pm: I am definately going to try the smoothies..they sound great!! Delaine
Katrina Smith June 25, 2009 at 9:12 pm: I have never thought about freezing bananas! Thank you for your great blog. I would love the blender to experiment with these great ideas.
Natalie June 25, 2009 at 9:13 pm: Smoothies are our families favorite summer night treat! What a fun giveaway!
Christine June 25, 2009 at 9:14 pm: We love smoothies too!

Thanks for such a great giveaway.
RAchel June 25, 2009 at 9:15 pm: We love smoothies at our house. In fact, yesterday and today I made smoothies. i’ll have to try a green smoothie some time. thanks
Kim June 25, 2009 at 9:16 pm: We love smoothies and this is a reminder that I should make them more!!!
Amy June 25, 2009 at 9:17 pm: I’d love this! We don’t have a blender ~

- Amy
JK Topp June 25, 2009 at 9:18 pm: Thanks! I was just looking for some smoothie recipes this week.

JK
Tammy T. June 25, 2009 at 9:18 pm: Smoothies are the best.
Jennifer June 25, 2009 at 9:18 pm: This sounds great…thanks for the opportunity..Jenn McBroom
Shannon June 25, 2009 at 9:18 pm: I love smoothies, but never think to make them. I have been reading your blog for awhile now and am always amazed at the new things I see. I am even trying my hand at the Walgreens deals. Thanks!!
Amanda June 25, 2009 at 9:19 pm: My girls (5 and 3) were looking over my shoulder as I was reading this post and asked why we never eat smoothies. Because I don’t have a blender! So pick me!
Melissa June 25, 2009 at 9:20 pm: Thanks SO much for such a great giveaway. My girls love smoothies too
Michelle Beachy June 25, 2009 at 9:22 pm: Yeah for smoothies! I was so glad to hear the idea to IQF fresh fruit!
Andrea June 25, 2009 at 9:22 pm: I would love to win! Thanks for the recipes!
nicole June 25, 2009 at 9:23 pm: I love smoothies and will love them even more if the blender is free. thanks
Stephanie June 25, 2009 at 9:24 pm: I love smoothies! We like taking orange juice, a bannana, and strawberries:) This would be a great kit to have. Thanks.
Judy June 25, 2009 at 9:24 pm: Oh wow! I would really LOVE to win this! Thanks for the chance!
Jenny June 25, 2009 at 9:25 pm: We would love that blender!
Terri June 25, 2009 at 9:26 pm: I’d love to have this kit. I think my kids would love the smoothies!
Amelia June 25, 2009 at 9:28 pm: Great giveaway! How fun. The boys would love this! Hope my luck is good:”}
Kim June 25, 2009 at 9:29 pm: You make making smoothies so easy and yummy! Kim
Andrea June 25, 2009 at 9:29 pm: thanks for the idea on freezing fruit!!!! Love your blog!!!
Andrea
Kris June 25, 2009 at 9:29 pm: We live in fruit country, love smoothies and need a new blender baddly!
Jenn June 25, 2009 at 9:29 pm: We LOVE smoothies. I really like green smoothies too. I don’t make them nearly as often as I should! Great giveaway!
Kristi June 25, 2009 at 9:29 pm: Can’t wait to try some of your recipes. Yum.
LoriT June 25, 2009 at 9:30 pm: Thanks for the giveaway!
Wendy June 25, 2009 at 9:31 pm: The smoothies look great! I would love a blender!
Rebecca R. June 25, 2009 at 9:32 pm: My children enjoy smoothies when I make them, too, and it is good to know they are healthy as well!
jeanne June 25, 2009 at 9:34 pm: Yeah for smoothies!!!
Try freezing chunks of watermelon to make a watermelon sherbert type smoothie!
Kim June 25, 2009 at 9:34 pm: We love smoothies in our house! It is a great way to get good nutrition into our kids (without them even knowing it!!). I am a new blog subscriber and have learned so much from you already! I am planning a baking day (once the weather goes back under 90!) Thank you for all of your hard work.
Jenny Leigh June 25, 2009 at 9:35 pm: It’s funny you should post this. I just began making green smoothies this week for my breakfast. (My husband and 16 yo daughter aren’t sold on the idea just yet.) It’s an easy way to get a large number of my daily fruits and veggies. I also stay full longer.
Carmen June 25, 2009 at 9:37 pm: I love the smoothie idea, we love them.
Karen June 25, 2009 at 9:39 pm: Yea Smoothies!
Marie June 25, 2009 at 9:40 pm: I’ve never made smoothies . . . but yours always look so wonderful I would love to give it a go with a new Smoothie Kit!
Stacy June 25, 2009 at 9:41 pm: I love smoothies! They’re my breakfast most work days, and its great here in Phoenix. I don’t like bananas in mine though. Most of my smoothies are yogurt based with fruit and such added based on whatever we have around.
I find I can puree in some lettuce or an avocado and not taste it but know I’m getting the nutrients.
Abby June 25, 2009 at 9:41 pm: I’d love to win. Our blender just broke and we would love to try some of your smoothie recipes.
Sharon June 25, 2009 at 9:42 pm: OOOOH!!! SMOOTHIES!!! Please add me to your drawing!
Holly June 25, 2009 at 9:45 pm: What a great idea!! I would love to win–great pics of the girls! Thanks for all you do!
Denise June 25, 2009 at 9:48 pm: Our family also enjoys smoothies.
cara martin June 25, 2009 at 9:48 pm: I make smoothies too, and my boys love them!
Cara
caramartin1@cox.net