It’s USA Tax Day! Do you Need A Smoothie?

I have been ‘working’ on my returns for about two months, but stopped because of the tax software glitch.  Minnesota stopped accepting returns prepared with the software I was using until it was fixed.  So I set mine aside and ‘sort of’ forgot that I still needed to finish it.

Thursday night, I realized that I only had a few days to get it done. So, quickly downloaded the updates, crossed check the deductions, recalculated all deductions by calculator and compared to tax software…..  Finally printed off draft copies of the ‘official’ forms for review.

By Sunday night, I decided to file Federal online and allow an ACH transfer for the balance. But, decided to do another quick check for the SS 1099 and discovered that I had taken the wrong number and was paying too much tax. Quickly, I changed the numbers and sent it to IRS.

Prior to my doing the last check, I had written checks for IRS balance, Minnesota balance, IRS first estimated payment and Minnesota first estimated payment!

The only advice I can give, that I didn’t take, is plan for taxes all year long, beginning in January! If you just cannot file by the deadline, file an extension! 

How to file that extension:   http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc304.html

Now, relax and enjoy this smoothie to ‘smooth’ out the wrinkles from the stress of filing your taxes! It’s creamy and “smoothy”….

This is very filling and can be shared.  I tend to eat this mornings and go until around 4:00PM without another meal, because it keeps hunger away.

Appropriately named -

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 2013Tax Day Smoothie

Ingredients

 

1 small orange cut into slices

1/3 small avocado  (1/3 of fruit)

1/2 med banana, frozen, sliced

1/3 cup frozen strawberries, sliced

1/2 kiwi, cut into chunks, frozen

1 cup broccoli, cut into small pieces, frozen

1/4 cup almonds, whole natural

1/2 scoop protein powder

1/2 cup crushed ice, as needed

 

Procedure

 

Peel the orange and remove all white coating and strings.

 

 

Place orange and avocado in the machine being used as a blender, and then add the others, including the protein powder, if using, except ice.

 

.

 

 

Add ice last over the top, gently dropping it onto the powder, so it will not fly around. Pulse and scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.

 

This spatula works great, because the blades will not cut it as easily as a soft one

 

 

After the mixture is completed blended, remove the blender blade, carefully scrape it down, if needed.  Continue holding it by the tip and rinse it under water, using a sprayer if needed.  Place in a safe area, so no one could have it fall or be injured with the cutting blade.

 

 

 

 

Serve in parfait glasses. Eat with a spoon.

 

 

 

Final check, stamped the envelopes and enjoyed that smoothie!

 

 

Servings: 1

 

With almonds - worth adding them!

 

Nutrition (per serving): 513 calories, 26.3g total fat, 15.6g monounsaturated fat, 5.4g polyunsaturated fat, <1g trans fatty acids, <1g trans-monoenoic fatty acids, <1g trans-polyenoic fatty acids, 4.3g linoleic acid, 2.4g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 220.5mg sodium, 211.4mg calcium, 1387.8mg potassium, 175.9mcg folate, 305.9mg phosphorus, 9.4mg phytosterols, 0mcg lycopene, 4.9mcg selenium, <1mg thiamin, 0mcg vitamin b12, <1mg vitamin b6, 204mg vitamin c, 0IU vitamin d, 2.1mg zinc, 55.7g carbohydrates, 16.6g fiber, 39.1g net carbohydrates, 27.6g sugar, 6.6g fructose, <1g galactose, 6.3g glucose, <1g lactose, <1g maltose, 3.1g sucrose, 2.3mg stigmasterol, 23.8g protein.

 

Without almonds

 

Nutrition (per serving): 308 calories, 8.7g total fat, 4.5g monounsaturated fat, 1.1g polyunsaturated fat, 1.1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 220.2mg sodium, 117mg calcium, 1135.7mg potassium, 158.1mcg folate, 132.9mg phosphorus, 9.4mg phytosterols, 0mcg lycopene, 4mcg selenium, <1mg thiamin, 0mcg vitamin b12, <1mg vitamin b6, 204mg vitamin c, 0IU vitamin d, <1mg zinc, 47.9g carbohydrates, 12.2g fiber, 35.7g net carbohydrates, 26.2g sugar, 6.6g fructose, <1g galactose, 6.3g glucose, <1g lactose, <1g maltose, 1.8g sucrose, <1mg stigmasterol, 16.2g protein.

 

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© 2013 http://retiredwithnoregrets.blogspot.com/

As Summer ends - Cinnamon Oatmeal ‘Chocolate Cookie’ Frozen Fruit + Veggie Protein Smoothie

No matter how much I try to eat other foods for breakfast, I eventually revert back to making a smoothie after a few days of omelets or oatmeal or breakfast casseroles.  Actually, I would rather put the oatmeal in a smoothie!

One of the reasons I try to make other breakfast items is the amount of sugar in the smoothie from the fruit.   So I get my daily allowance of fruit in one sumptuous meal!

For some, it’s their morning cup of coffee, for me it’s my daily supply of chocolate!  My preference is cocoa(cacao), because I can choose how to use it, and which sweetener to add to it.

I’m not sure one can get too much cocoa or theobromine (about.com), a chemical component in cacao bean. There is more info on what theobromine is and what effect it has on the body at Hershey’s.

Well, I just love cocoa and am not really worried about getting too much!

Enjoy this late summer delicious, yet nutritious smoothie!

Cinnamon Oatmeal ‘Chocolate Cookie’ Frozen Fruit + Veggie Protein Smoothie

 

 

Ingredients

 

·         1/2 cup broccoli, frozen, cut up

·         1/2 banana, frozen, sliced

·         1/4 cup pineapple, fresh, cubed, frozen

·         2 tbsp old fashioned oatmeal, uncooked

·         2 tbsp cocoa (used a robust tasting natural cocoa)

·         2 pkts. Stevia (1 pkt. = 2 tsp sugar)

·         1/2 scoop protein powder (used a vegan plant protein)

·         1/2 tsp cinnamon

·         1/3 cup homemade almond milk, unsweetened

·         1 tbsp sliced almonds for topping (optional)

 

Procedure

 

·         Place half of milk with remaining ingredients in a blender capable of crushing ice (or a frozen concoction maker). Replace the top on the blender jar.   Or use a tall cup and a stick blender

·         Pulse two or three times.

·         Stir the mixture so that it will blend easier.

·         Pulse again. Add remaining milk as needed.

 

I just love my stick(immersion) blender!

 

·         After the mixture is completed blended, taste to see if additional sweetener is desired.

·         Serve in parfait glasses, top with a tablespoon of sliced almonds, if desired. Eat with a spoon.

 

 

Sat down at the desk to eat this, while writing this post!

 

 

Servings: 1

 

 

Nutrition (per serving): 352 calories, 16.5g total fat, 8.1g monounsaturated fat, 3.2g polyunsaturated fat, 0g trans fatty acids, <1g trans-monoenoic fatty acids, <1g trans-polyenoic fatty acids, 2.8g linoleic acid, 3.1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 195.9mg sodium, 119.1mg calcium, 765.5mg potassium, 62.6mcg folate, 247.4mg phosphorus, 12.3mg phytosterols, <1mcg lycopene, 4.1mcg selenium, <1mg thiamin, 0mcg vitamin b12, <1mg vitamin b6, 64.2mg vitamin c, 1.9mg zinc, 44.1g carbohydrates, 10.3g fiber, 33.7g net carbohydrates, 15.4g sugar, 4.1g fructose, <1g galactose, 3.9g glucose, <1g lactose, <1g maltose, 4.8g sucrose, <1mg stigmasterol, 20.9g protein, 27.6mg caffeine.

 

Notes

·         This can be made using fresh fruit, but will be liquid instead of frozen.

·         Warning: the top must be on the blender when pulsing, or there will be splashes everywhere!

·         2 tbsp of cocoa may be too much for some, so start with 1 tbsp as the cocoa taste is quite prominent in this smoothie

·         The protein powder adds 60 calories and 11g protein

 

 

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© 2012 retiredwithnoregrets.blogspot.com

When it’s hot outside…it’s cold inside - Chocolate Raspberry Strawberry frozen Treat

It has been really hot the past two weeks or raining. Of course when it’s hot, all I think about is something COLD!  So it’s been frozen smoothies each morning.  I’ve even thought about making one for lunch or dinner, but decided I needed to eat some food.

Today I was seriously thinking of making ice cream, but just didn’t want to spend lots of time making too much.   So I pulled out strawberries, raspberries and half a banana and my favorite immersion blender.

With a few whirrs and a little of this and that plus a little sweetener, it was tasty.   So into the freezer it went to ‘firm’ up.

I am one for making easy, simple and quick food.   The older I get, the simpler and quicker it gets!
Feel free to use all strawberries or other berries for this treat,

Enjoy!

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Chocolate Raspberry Strawberry Frozen Treat

Ingredients

1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup frozen strawberries, sliced
1/2 banana, frozen
1/2 tsp vanilla powder (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
5 pkts Pure Via Stevia sweetener (or about 3 tbsp other sweetener)
2 tbsp cocoa (used Ghirardelli)
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk


Final Step Ingredients
1 cup whipped cream
1/4 cup chopped almonds
2 tbsp frozen strawberries, chopped

Procedure

1.    Using a blender, blend until all is smooth and fluffy.

2.    If using a stick blender, cut the banana into slices.  Stir as necessary and push down.

3.    Fold in the whipped cream, strawberries and chopped nuts.

4.    Place in freezer for at least an hour. Scoop into parfait glasses.

Servings: 4

Nutrition (per serving): 145 calories, 9g total fat, 3.9g monounsaturated fat, 1.4g polyunsaturated fat, 0g trans fatty acids, <1g trans-monoenoic fatty acids, <1g trans-polyenoic fatty acids, 1.1g linoleic acid, 2.9g saturated fat, 11.4mg cholesterol, 32.2mg sodium, 58.1mg calcium, 307.2mg potassium, 22.8mcg folate, 96.5mg phosphorus, 2.4mg phytosterols, 0mcg lycopene, 1.4mcg selenium, <1mg thiamin, <1mcg vitamin b12, <1mg vitamin b6, 27.5mg vitamin c, <1mg zinc, 16.9g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 12g net carbohydrates, 6.9g sugar, 2.4g fructose, <1g galactose, 2.2g glucose, 0g lactose, <1g maltose, <1g sucrose, <1mg stigmasterol, 3.7g protein, 6.9mg caffeine, 40% calories from carbohydrates, 52% calories from fat, 8% calories from protein.

Slightly different lighting

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I am enjoying those #Driscoll’s Berries.   I never really liked raspberries, but have acquired a new taste for them.

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© 2012 retiredwithnoregrets.blogspot.com

Not Just another Smoothie - Frozen Peachy Kiwi-y Nutty Smoothie

There isn’t really a recipe for smoothies…..     Decide what you want to add and whirr away!


There are often smoothies presented by different food companies and even recipes posted on blogs or in cookbooks.  Most ‘recipes’ are simply suggestions as to what great taste combinations can be made to satisfy the need for ‘frozen’ and ‘delicious’.

It doesn’t matter which season, I prefer ‘frozen’ versus liquid or ‘pudding-y’ type smoothies.


One ingredient that I haven’t added yet is spinach. Maybe it’s because I haven’t tried blanching, freezing and adding it.   So that one is still in the planning mode.

I prefer to freeze my own fruits, because I do not add any sweeteners before freezing.  A couple of frozen fruit is a nice quick treat on a hot day too.

There are frozen fruits without sugar in the food cases at grocery stores, just check the label to omit the ones with added sugar or any other sweetener.  I have tried store-bought frozen strawberry/banana and frozen pineapple that did not have sugar.  They were just like fresh.

For quite a few years, I have frozen strawberries, blueberries and bananas.  Within the past year, I started freezing peaches, nectarines, kiwis and even  broccoli (cutting into smaller pieces and blanching).

So maybe, I could quickly blanch the spinach or kale, spin dry a bit, spread on a cookie sheet and freeze.  Then it would not be all clumped up and easier to puree.

Although, sugar is not a nutrient that should be ingested in unlimited quantities, the sugar from fruit is still sugar and should be balanced between the high and low sugar varieties.

At one point, I always added bananas to smoothies, now it is once or twice a week, because of the higher sugar content.

I also discovered that I purchased sweetened almond milk.  Although it adds only 3 grams of sugar, it’s a definitely a no-no.

When I make a smoothie, it is actually a meal for me.


This is the latest of my ‘frozen deliciousness’.

Frozen Peachy Kiwi-y Nutty Smoothie

 

Ingredients  (all fruits are frozen)

          

• 1 small peach
• 3 large strawberries
• 1 kiwi
• 1/2 medium banana
• 1 tbsp brown rice protein powder
• 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk (this one is sweetened)
• 1/4 cup natural almonds

Procedures

• Combine all ingredients in a blender or tall container except the almonds.   
• Blend or use a stick blender to puree to a fluffy mix.  Stir if necessary and puree again. 
• Add Almonds and pulse just enough to chop the almonds.

  

• Chopped almonds can also be stirred in after the other ingredients are puréed.

• Enjoy!   Serve immediately, eat with a spoon.

Peach and Kiwi flavors are dominant

Servings: 1

Nutrition Facts - as prepared

472 calories, 20.1g total fat, 12g monounsaturated fat, 5.1g polyunsaturated fat, <1g trans fatty acids, <1g trans-monoenoic fatty acids, <1g trans-polyenoic fatty acids, 4.3g linoleic acid, 1.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 89.2mg sodium, 369.7mg calcium, 1106.8mg potassium, 70.6mcg folate, 335.9mg phosphorus, 28.9mg phytosterols, 0mcg lycopene, 2mcg selenium, <1mg thiamin, 1.5mcg vitamin b12, <1mg vitamin b6, 129.8mg vitamin c, 50IU vitamin d, 2.4mg zinc, 57.1g carbohydrates, 12.8g fiber, 44.3g net carbohydrates, 33.8g sugar, 10.2g fructose, <1g galactose, 10.3g glucose, 0g lactose, <1g maltose, 9.3g sucrose, 1.4mg stigmasterol, 23.3g protein, 0mg caffeine, 11.9 points.

Frozen broccoli and kiwi
This broccoli can also be used for quick stir-fries or microwaved to thaw and eat. It has been washed, trimmed and any bad spots removed.
   
I have even eaten this frozen, just like frozen bananas.


© 2012 retiredwithnoregrets.blogspot.com

Breakfast Smoothies - Gluten-Free Soy-Free

When  it’s berry and fruit  season, I love to make all kinds of smoothies and juices.
As soon as the California berries started coming to Minnesota, I started making frozen smoothies.
I make several versions with some basic ingredients: strawberries, blueberries, almonds, cocoa, protein powder, whey powder, bananas, stone fruits and almond milk.
I think the best way to show the different versions is with pictures.
Without Chocolate

Basic Ingredients

another protein powder that is also used

After blending

With Chocolate Added with differing amounts of blueberries

Nectarine-Peach Smoothie

Adding some shaved ice

and finally a plain old frozen chocolate drink

Another Hot Day! Banana Strawberry Ice Cream with Chocolate Bits - Hits the Spot…..

It is just too hot to cook anything today, so why not just make ice cream?  I have been putting off making ice cream for quite some time, so decided to do it today.    

I pulled out my little Cuisinart Ice Cream / Sorbet maker and put the bucket in the freezer (it should have been in there over night).

I remember seeing a frozen concoction with pudding and pie filling mixed up with a few add-ins.  The only kind I had two boxes of was banana, so…….    I had frozen strawberries and blueberries.   Well, decided that strawberries would be the best one to combine with banana flavor.   Then it was nuts or chocolate chips.   Hmmm, decided on chocolate chips.  Then, I remembered the Scharffen Berger 82% Cacao Dark Chocolate Bars I received, so decided to use some of those instead.  

This is very simple.  It will not freeze as hard as regular ice cream, but is just as good.

Banana Strawberry Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Bits

Ingredients

Uses very simple ingredients 

2 pkgs   Fat Free Sugar Free Banana Instant Pudding & Pie Filling (4 serving size)

1 cup almond milk, unsweetened

1 cup fat-free half and half

1 cup   2% milk

Add-ins

30 g Scharffen Berger 82% Cacao Dark Chocolate Bars (a bar is 5g - about 1/4 cup of mini chips)

1/2 cup strawberries, sliced

  

Procedures

1. Chill your ice cream bucket overnight.  Chill you mixing dish an hour before beginning to mix, if the weather is hot.

2. Chop your chocolate to the size of mini chips. Whisk together pudding mix and milk(s). Place the container (with the paddle in place) in the freezer for about an hour.

3. Remove the bucket from the freezer, place on base, cover and start the machine. Gradually add the chocolate and strawberries as the machine churns.

 Kind of hard to see the movement here

When all is mixed, return the base (with the paddle in place) to the freezer for a couple of hours. Remove and turn on for about 5 minutes. If it is frozen as much as you want; enjoy, otherwise, return to freezer.

Once you are satisfied with how it is frozen;   Serve it up!    

Of course, I sampled this before it had finished freezing!

Scrape down the bucket and wipe the top, if you wish to store any left-over in the freezer.

Store any left-overs in the bucket or scrape it into another container.

Servings: 6

These are the kind of numbers I like to see and enjoy it too!

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition (per serving): 115 calories, 4.2g total fat, <1g monounsaturated fat, <1g polyunsaturated fat, 2.3g saturated fat, 5.3mg cholesterol, 548mg sodium, 198.4mg potassium, 17.2g carbohydrates, 1.3g fiber, 15.9g net carbohydrates, <1g starch, 5.7g sugar, 3.3g protein, <1mg iron, 6.7mcg folate, 7.8mg vitamin c, 17.5IU vitamin d, <1mg vitamin b6, <1mcg vitamin b12, <1mg niacin, 0mcg lycopene, <1g aspartic acid, <1g glutamic acid.

Notes

This frozen dessert will not freeze as hard as 'real' ice cream. I do not believe the pudding will set with soy milk. Use the milk of your choice, otherwise.

 You can also use evaporated milk.  I wanted to keep it lower calorie.  Feel free to use regular instant pudding and pie mix, whole or evaporated milk;  the numbers will be higher.

 Maybe next time, I will increase the  strawberries to 1 cup.