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Homemade Smoothies: A frugal and delicious Summer treat (plus, a little giveaway!)

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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{ 1291 comments }

← Previous Comments

1 Chancy June 25, 2009 at 9:50 pm: That’s a great idea to freeze everything seperately!!! All these years I have been hacking at a frozen chunk of fruit, lol, I will be using that one. I really enjoyed this post Thanks!
-Chancy
2 Valerie June 25, 2009 at 9:51 pm: Our blender died a few months back and it hasn’t been replaced. This would be great!!
3 Julie June 25, 2009 at 9:51 pm: Yummy! We {heart} smoothies!!!
4 Jenn June 25, 2009 at 9:52 pm: My girls have decided that green smoothies are their favorite! Yeah!!!
5 sarina June 25, 2009 at 9:53 pm: please enter me, thanks!
6 Krista June 25, 2009 at 9:53 pm: I loved to hear about your peanut butter banana smoothie, I make something similar, except I also add about 1 tbsp of nesquik too, which makes it a choc pb banana smoothie, it is like a treat but healthy!
7 Lisa Dawson June 25, 2009 at 9:54 pm: I have been wanting to make smoothies, but don’t know how to get started! Plus my blender quit working, so this would be perfect!
Thank you-
Lisa
lisadesigner(at)hotmail(dot)com
8 Heidi F June 25, 2009 at 9:55 pm: Sounds yummy! thanks:)
9 Rene' Peterson June 25, 2009 at 9:56 pm: Yeah!! Smoothie Kit TY
10 andrea sullivan June 25, 2009 at 10:00 pm: delicious!
11 T Berkshire June 25, 2009 at 10:00 pm: Cool giveaway!
12 Amanda June 25, 2009 at 10:01 pm: Would love to learn more about making smoothies!!
13 Jennifer S. June 25, 2009 at 10:01 pm: This sounds fabulous. I love smoothies! Thanks for the contest.
14 Elizabeth June 25, 2009 at 10:03 pm: Hi Crystal! I have been trying to think of something new for my kids for breakfast this summer and since its so hot here where we live a smoothie is a great idea. Thanks for the idea and being a blessing. Elizabeth
15 Kim June 25, 2009 at 10:03 pm: Thank you so much for offering this. I would love to make smoothies for my family.
16 CarrieSF June 25, 2009 at 10:06 pm: Looks good!
17 April June 25, 2009 at 10:07 pm: My step-daughters (ages 4 and 7) love to try putting new things in their smoothies. We have had some great ones and some not to do ones. We use lots of fresh fruit. I have never froze berries before, but that is a great thing.
18 Michelle June 25, 2009 at 10:09 pm: Sounds good. We love smoothies at my house too.
19 sharyn June 25, 2009 at 10:12 pm: These smoothies sound great!
20 Shanna June 25, 2009 at 10:14 pm: So excited about this give away – and the smoothie recipes!!!!!!!!!
21 marie June 25, 2009 at 10:17 pm: I was just thinking about buying a blender like this since I’m making so many smoothies lately!
22 Steph June 25, 2009 at 10:19 pm: This would be awesome!
23 Michelle June 25, 2009 at 10:19 pm: We make smoothies about once a week around here! The kids love them and I love all the healthy things that I can pack into one glass!
24 Dana B. June 25, 2009 at 10:19 pm: My family has started drinking smoothies just recently. We love them and my husband is the one who tries the crazy things but for the most part they turn out pretty good. Would love to win the smoothie kit.
Thanks
Dana
25 Becca June 25, 2009 at 10:20 pm: I love smoothies and would LOVE to win this prize!!
26 Serena June 25, 2009 at 10:20 pm: We are very partial to smoothies around here!
27 Cindy June 25, 2009 at 10:23 pm: We love smoothies as well and I love your tips on your blog. I have been freezing bananas and strawberries today to use in recipes later.
My son tried making our service dog a smoothies with his milkbones, didn’t work out so well and he also burnt the motor out in our blender. Oh well, at least he learned not do this again
28 Jana June 25, 2009 at 10:24 pm: I would love to make smoothies!
29 Penny June 25, 2009 at 10:25 pm: We’ve worn out our trusty blender. Would love to win one.
30 karen June 25, 2009 at 10:28 pm: I LOVE how you can put so much “good stuff” in a smoothie (kefir, protein powder…..) and they always turn out great!!
31 Jess June 25, 2009 at 10:29 pm: Awesome giveaway. Count me in!!! jessi92982@aol.com
32 Seems June 25, 2009 at 10:30 pm: I would love to start making smoothies for my family!
33 Becky June 25, 2009 at 10:31 pm: We love pumpkin smoothies. You just use bottled or canned pumpkin, ice, milk or water & powdered milk, and sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to taste, with a dash of cloves. It tastes like pumpkin pie (if you add enough sugar and milk), and is very frugal, since we use pumpkin that I bottled last fall, when I bought pumpkins for $1 a piece after Halloween. You can also freeze the pumpkin if you don’t have a pressure canner, but do have enough freezer space.
34 Kim June 25, 2009 at 10:32 pm: We have (almost) 17 mo old triplets and are just beginning to find new ways to get them hydrated and enjoy what they are drinking. They LOVE fruit, so I think smoothies would be the “fun” treat and keep them hydrated at the same time.
Thanks for a great blog! We love it!
35 Anna Beth June 25, 2009 at 10:36 pm: I always want to make them, but our blender is no good, so I never do! Maybe I’ll win this one and get the chance..
36 Jill W June 25, 2009 at 10:37 pm: so cute-thanks for the giveaway!
37 april June 25, 2009 at 10:38 pm: looks yummy!
38 Maria June 25, 2009 at 10:39 pm: We just had a smoothie tonight!
39 Amy S June 25, 2009 at 10:42 pm: I keep meaning to try this. Thanks for the reminder!
40 cindy bruzzese June 25, 2009 at 10:43 pm: Gotta love smoothies! Love your website!
41 Melissa June 25, 2009 at 10:44 pm: We love smoothies at our house!
42 Katherine Liddle June 25, 2009 at 10:47 pm: The smoothie kit would be wonderful. We don’t have a blender, so I do my best with our mini food processor, but it’s pretty messy with liquids! Thank you!
43 Mari Bell June 25, 2009 at 10:49 pm: Strawberries $0.88
Orange Juice $2.59
Bananas $0.59
The fun of homemade smoothies- PRICELESS!
44 JessicaB June 25, 2009 at 10:49 pm: Looks Yummy
45 deb June 25, 2009 at 10:50 pm: I need some strong bones, choose my old bones please:)
46 Jessica June 25, 2009 at 10:51 pm: I love smoothies too!!!
47 Ami Montgomery June 25, 2009 at 10:51 pm: I am always looking for a good way to make smoothies..I love them, but being a frugal mom I can’t always go to Smoothie King. this would be a great way for me to get started!
48 Lisa June 25, 2009 at 10:55 pm: thanks so much, I have tried your peanut butter smoothie and love it, I plan to try the green smoothie, but am nervous about my kids being willing to try it. I have been trying to make more things at home, however, my blender seems to be giving out–so this gift would be perfect timing–thanks!
49 Emily June 25, 2009 at 10:55 pm: love smoothies and would really like a new blender, thanks! This is a great blog, I am new to it…
50 Liz June 25, 2009 at 10:56 pm: We love smoothies!! I’m always trying new ones…even the Green on! it’s a must try
51 Lauren June 25, 2009 at 10:57 pm: Mmmm! Green smoothies!
52 Sunny June 25, 2009 at 11:00 pm: We love smoothies. Thank-You so much for all of your recipes. I hope that I win, as I need a new Blender!
Thank-You!
53 Sarah A. June 25, 2009 at 11:02 pm: I love the idea of chopping up overripe bananas to freeze and use in smoothies! We would love more smoothies for summer.
54 Lindsey Swinborne June 25, 2009 at 11:05 pm: I’d love to win!
55 Sunny June 25, 2009 at 11:13 pm: We love smoothies. My blender is not working. I have been trying to use a wisk and making lumpy drinks! LOL
Thank-You for all your recipes.
56 Kristen June 25, 2009 at 11:14 pm: Great giveaway. Thanks!
57 Teresa Cunningham June 25, 2009 at 11:19 pm: Thanks for this offer. Just froze 6 lbs of strawberries. Your smoothie kit would get them blended in no time.
58 Tara R. June 25, 2009 at 11:20 pm: I wanna win! My blender blends poorly.
59 raquel June 25, 2009 at 11:20 pm: With the great deals on fruit, this is a great giveaway.
60 Lori June 25, 2009 at 11:23 pm: We LOVE smoothies
61 Jennifer June 25, 2009 at 11:30 pm: Great idea freezing the fruit individually, I’d never would have thought of doing that. Love the recipes. Thank You
62 Karalin June 25, 2009 at 11:32 pm: Thanks for the opportunity to enter! I have three little boys that I’m sure would go crazy for some of these recipes.
63 sandi June 25, 2009 at 11:36 pm: I’d love to win this! I’ve been wanting to make smoothies for my girls – they love them, I’m just too lazy… Our girls look to be about the same ages! Such a fun time!!
64 Allison June 25, 2009 at 11:40 pm: Never made smoothies but am inspired now!
65 Paige June 25, 2009 at 11:44 pm: We love green smoothies too! I’ve never tried making just plain strawberry smoothies, or smoothies without ice, so I’ll have to try that. Thanks!
66 Pamela J June 25, 2009 at 11:45 pm: My kids love smoothies. We need a new blender, too.
67 Celia June 25, 2009 at 11:53 pm: Would love a copy of your Smoothie Recipes! We just started making homemade smoothies – so much fun!
68 Marie June 25, 2009 at 11:53 pm: Great idea!
69 Nicole Szymanski June 25, 2009 at 11:56 pm: We absolutely love smoothies!!
70 gabe June 26, 2009 at 12:01 am: thanks…
71 katie June 26, 2009 at 12:09 am: Horray for smoothies!
72 ann beck June 26, 2009 at 12:09 am: thanks for the idea of freezing fruit pieces just never thought about doing that thanks!!!again
73 Michele June 26, 2009 at 12:10 am: What a great giveaway! We love smoothies. I’ll have to try your peanut butter banana one. I think my four year old would love it!
74 Andrea M June 26, 2009 at 12:15 am: What a great give away. One thing we always do with our smoothies is put in a complementary flavor of yogurt (instead of plain/vanilla) it adds just enough flavor so that we never have to sweeten it up.
75 delilah June 26, 2009 at 12:19 am: I would love to win!!!!!!!!
76 Trish June 26, 2009 at 12:27 am: I would love the smoothie recipes and blender. It might help with my daughter, who is a picky eater as of late ,to get some more nutritious meals. Thanks for the chance.
77 Cori June 26, 2009 at 12:27 am: Smoothies rock!!!
78 Yvette June 26, 2009 at 12:31 am: we love smoothies to my oldest son now makes one everyday after his basketball practices!!! Your girls look so cute to
79 Chyra June 26, 2009 at 12:50 am: Yumm! A smoothie sounds extremely good right now! Thanks for doing this!
80 Nancy June 26, 2009 at 12:51 am: Your giveaway is so great & love to have new recipes. Would like a new blender since mine is leaking everytime I blend smoothie. I add flax seed and oatmeal with milk & ice for the morning breakfast with bananas, blueberrries, and strawberries. It’s delicious, you should try it !! :0)
CHOOSE ME — Bunniluv88@aol.com
81 Jennifer Walsh June 26, 2009 at 12:53 am: I love smoothies!!!!
82 terri g June 26, 2009 at 1:04 am: We love smoothies.
83 Heather M June 26, 2009 at 1:07 am: What a great giveaway! Thanks!!!
84 Khara June 26, 2009 at 1:12 am: Pick me!
85 Genevieve Larson June 26, 2009 at 1:30 am: My sons love smoothies. My son Brady was oohing and ahhing over the ones you and your kiddos made.
86 Stacy June 26, 2009 at 1:31 am: Your blog has always been my favorite. Funny thing… the other two bloggers I love just had babies and have not updated for weeks! Thanks for keeping us in tune.
87 beth June 26, 2009 at 1:50 am: i could use a blender, yay!
88 Malinda Ball June 26, 2009 at 1:57 am: Oh I would love to win this. I really want to start making smoothies for my children. They would really love it!!!
89 Ratmama June 26, 2009 at 2:27 am: I follow your blog from Holland (Europe)…I’m a military spouse. Love the tips on smoothies. Thanks!
90 Ruth Stewart June 26, 2009 at 2:50 am: I have really been wanting one of these but can’t seem to make the splurge! I hope I win.
91 Mable June 26, 2009 at 3:53 am: Smoothies are the best in the summer. I worked at a smoothie shop once and my favorite was the strawberry smoothie. Ingredients were: frozen vanilla yogurt, orange sherbet, orange juice, half a banana, frozen strawberries and a spoonful of pinapple chunks. The pineapple really adds the last punch of flavor and zing to it.
92 Virginia June 26, 2009 at 5:08 am: Picj our family please!
93 Francine Rindlisbacher June 26, 2009 at 5:14 am: Would love to win your smoothie kit
94 Lecia June 26, 2009 at 5:18 am: Our blender died years ago and I never replaced it so I have not been making smoothies, this would be a great prize to win!
95 kara June 26, 2009 at 5:31 am: my husband and daughter love smoothies! we live in florida so we have them year around!
96 Jaime June 26, 2009 at 5:52 am: just under the wire…. we love smoothies too!
97 Melissa June 26, 2009 at 5:57 am: One of our favorite treats! Thanks.
98 Katina June 26, 2009 at 6:00 am: I love it.
99 Tara June 26, 2009 at 6:08 am: We often add a spoonful or two of raw oatmeal to our smoothies. Extra protein, fiber, and delicious texture! Try it!!
100 Jo June 26, 2009 at 6:13 am: oh my family is trying so hard to be frugal…i would love this
101 Nita June 26, 2009 at 6:13 am: I love to make smoothies as well. Sometimes I’ll use kefir and frozen fruit, and sometimes coconut milk with fruit. Strawberries & bananas are our favorites. Thanks for posting great deals! I read them every day.
102 glenda sandlin June 26, 2009 at 6:29 am: Our favorite ingredient for a fruit smoothie is blueberries!
103 Sarah June 26, 2009 at 6:31 am: We love smoothies! And those t-shirts!
104 Lerin C. June 26, 2009 at 6:34 am: We love peanut butter banana smoothies too!
105 simonne broussard June 26, 2009 at 6:39 am: Hope to be able to start “smoothie-ing!”
106 amy June 26, 2009 at 6:42 am: My daughter and I love smoothies also. Fresh pineapple is our favorite fruit smoothie. Yum!! Thanks for the giveaway. Amy
107 Yeran Barrett June 26, 2009 at 6:45 am: My kids love smoothies!!!
108 Sarah June 26, 2009 at 6:48 am: Yum! My kids would love this – I will definitely try this one, even if I don’t win
109 Kim June 26, 2009 at 6:49 am: What a perfect summer treat – eapecially with this heat wave
110 Tara C. June 26, 2009 at 6:50 am: Looks like a great kit. Count me in!
111 Stacie H June 26, 2009 at 6:52 am: We love smoothies in our home!!! And can I mention that your girls are adorable!!!!
112 Effie Clayton June 26, 2009 at 6:52 am: Yummy! Sounds fantastic!
113 Sabrina June 26, 2009 at 6:53 am: Thanks for explaining how to freeze bananas. I wouldn’t have thought of it.
114 krissy June 26, 2009 at 7:03 am: thanks Crystal! We love smoothies at our house too!
115 lori l June 26, 2009 at 7:05 am: I am definately going to try the green smoothie this weekend. I could really use a new blender too!
Thanks,
Lori
116 Monica E. June 26, 2009 at 7:05 am: We love smoothies, its a great way to get some good food into my son.
117 Laura June 26, 2009 at 7:05 am: We love smoothies around here, too! We freeze pineapple juice in icetrays to add to smoothies. Gives it a nice tropical flair and a great consistency.
118 Jessica June 26, 2009 at 7:06 am: I love smoothies! I’d love to win.
119 Erin June 26, 2009 at 7:11 am: Smoothies are a great treat, especially in the summer months! Yum!
120 Jennifer G. June 26, 2009 at 7:11 am: I love smoothies! I’d love to make them at home, but I don’t have a blender, so this would be the perfect giveaway for me to win!! I’m keeping my fingers crossed… Thanks Crystal!!
121 Liz June 26, 2009 at 7:17 am: I’d like to start making smoothies. You make it sound so easy.
122 Amy June 26, 2009 at 7:21 am: I love smoothies!!
123 Carrie June 26, 2009 at 7:23 am: Hi–I always put whole peeled bananas tight in a freezer bag and *chop* them by breaking them up with fingers. So many added nutrients using banana *ice* rather than real ice.
124 Leslie June 26, 2009 at 7:23 am: I think this is a wonderful giveaway.
125 Julie June 26, 2009 at 7:26 am: my daughter loves smoothies! I’d love to win this.
126 CarrieY June 26, 2009 at 7:27 am: Thanks for the tip on freezing bananas!
127 Kristy June 26, 2009 at 7:28 am: Yum!! We love smoothies! Thanks for the awesome recipes and giveaway!!
128 ursula June 26, 2009 at 7:32 am: mmmmm……..
129 Sarah June 26, 2009 at 7:32 am: Smoothies (or poothies as my 2 year old calls them) are one of our favorite quick breakfasts!
130 Liz @ Frugally Blonde June 26, 2009 at 7:33 am: Thanks for the giveaway!
131 celina June 26, 2009 at 7:34 am: i really want to try out smoothies and need a blender..if canadians qualify…pls enter me..if not i understand..
celina in canada
132 Princess Leia June 26, 2009 at 7:35 am: That would be great!
133 Jeni June 26, 2009 at 7:36 am: We love smoothies! Thanks!
134 Sara Jones June 26, 2009 at 7:42 am: We love smoothies at our house, too! I try to make them for Sunday mornings on the way to church (since we’re usually running late). That way we still get something to eat that holds us over till lunch. Thanks!
135 Laura June 26, 2009 at 7:43 am: I love smoothies and make them often
136 Sarah June 26, 2009 at 7:44 am: Smoothies are great. When my oldest was 2 he decided to stop eating breakfast and only wanted milk. Instead, I made him smoothies with yogurt and fruit so he was still getting more nutrition in. Thanks for the opportunity!
137 Anna June 26, 2009 at 7:44 am: We really like smoothies! My 18 month old calls them “keam” short for ice cream!
138 Jenna June 26, 2009 at 7:48 am: I love smoothies! Just had a berry smoothie yesterday for breakfast. Yumm!
139 Kimberly June 26, 2009 at 7:50 am: I’m in
140 Noreen June 26, 2009 at 8:00 am: I would love to win!! The kiddos love smoothies and hate spending too much money at Smoothie King. Can’t wait to try some of your recipes!! Thanks!!
141 Erica June 26, 2009 at 8:08 am: AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sure hope I am not tooooooooooo late……
but i thought it was worth a shot !!!
I <3 Smoothies, and my housemate broke my magic bullet, did not replace it, and now I need to buy a new on ……
or win one!
142 Christy Mullan June 26, 2009 at 8:09 am: I’ve just started experimenting with smoothies! They are so healthy and easy to make.
143 Shannon June 26, 2009 at 8:14 am: I chckled when I saw this post…I JUST Finished making a smoothly for my son…blueberries, strawberries, yogurt and a little OJ..and of course a banana! I love your tip about chopping them before you freeze them. I freeze them wol in the pel and hen they are a mess to thaw and usen the smoothy. Thanks!!!
144 Shannon June 26, 2009 at 8:15 am: I guess I need to re-read my post next time..I’m a terrible typer before I have my coffee!!
145 mandy June 26, 2009 at 8:16 am: Smoothies are so great on a hot summer day!
146 Lauren Swedenborg June 26, 2009 at 8:18 am: Well, you’ve now got me in the mood for a yummy smoothie. My boys will be thrilled – as they love it when I make smoothies, which unfortunately is not often enough for them.
147 Jenny June 26, 2009 at 8:18 am: We love smoothies at our house!
148 Becky June 26, 2009 at 8:18 am: sounds fun I would love to win!!!
149 Toni :O) June 26, 2009 at 8:21 am: Smoothies are the BEST and I make them often! Thanks for the tips about freezing fruit…I had no idea and I’m going to start applying those tips this weekend. I LOVE your blog! Thanks for the chance to win!
150 Shelley June 26, 2009 at 8:23 am: We love smoothies. The kids love banana/strawberry & banana/pineapple. Thanks!