Strawberry Banana Almond Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Almond Smoothie

Saying the word “smoothie” makes me smile and crave a cool, thick mixture of healthy ingredients sliding slowly down into my tummy. I get a chilling sensation now on my skin just imagining the pleasure and taste of a good smoothie. Finding relief from the heat and humidity is always on my mind during the summer season.
Yes, I call myself “The Souper” because I do have a passion for homemade soups, in cold weather. But when the dog days of summer are here, my food interests turn to less cooking on the stove and more toward fast, cool meals. My smoothie recipe makes an excellent breakfast or late afternoon snack. This recipe is filled with good nutrition. Ingredients in this smoothie include fruits and proteins packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
It is my pleasure to share with you my favorite smoothie recipe. If a cool, thick and rich drink is your goal for easy-eating on a hot summer day, then this is a drink for you.

Prep time about five minutes
Servings: Two adult portions

What you will need:
•Cutting board
•Kitchen knife
•Blender
•Large spoon
•Two tall serving glasses

Ingredients:
•Crushed ice, three cups
•Greek yogurt, 6-8 oz, plain, strained (example - FAGE Greek strained yogurt)
•Banana, one peeled and sliced
•Strawberries, one cup fresh, washed and sliced
(save one whole strawberry for garnish on the glass)
•Milk, 1/3 cup fat-free
•Honey, Two tablespoons (or more during the blending process.)
•Vanilla extract, one teaspoon pure vanilla extract
•Almond butter, two tablespoons from jar (similar to peanut butter)

The Process:
•Put all of the above ingredients into a blender.
•Put the cover on the blender tightly.
•Pulse with on and off settings of the blender to mix the ingredients.
•With the blender off, take the top off to push down the ingredients in order to blend the mixture better if needed.
•Put the top back on the blender and continue blending the mixture with a steady speed until the desired texture is reached.
•With the blender off, take the cover off and taste the mixture with the spoon before pouring into two tall serving glasses.
•Adjust flavor of the smoothie by adding more honey if needed.