The art of smoothies

Just a quick one before I head out to sort out some of my adult life admin (credit card, eek!)...My sister and I are currently on day 4 of our 7 day detox (Click here) and although there are no 'quantity' restrictions there are stringent food group restrictions.  Being a lover of all that is food, at first I felt like all I could eat was raw fruit and vegetables because bananas, dairy and oil had been cut out.  Eventually though I realised that there are no preparation limits and so I tested out a few fruit smoothies which turned out to be delicious and involved no cheating!  I think...

Mixed fruit smoothie

- Pineapple

- Kiwi

- Plum

- Apple

- Mango

- Frozen mixed berried (no added sugar)

Blend together with hand blender until smooth.

When you are very hungry and in need of something other than 'wonder soup' there is no time for measuring, but I think the ratio was quite equal, maybe slightly less berries than everything else.  It might have been a good idea to add some ice blocks so make the mixture more 'liquidy' - this was more of a fruit puree, but, as mentioned before, we were getting desperate!  Hence no photos of the creation..It was pink though.

Maewi (Mango/apple/Kiwi)

- 1 Mango

- 1 Kiwi

- Applesauce

Blend together with hand blender until smooth.

Yesterday I googled oil substitutes as I have been missing olive oil which I use in almost everything savoury. Interestingly enough applesauce was one of the most popular substitutes and very easy to make - just boil a bunch of apples and then process.  I didn't end up using it as oil, but rather a potato substitute in butternut soup.  I used the left over sauce for our dessert smoothie and it was divine!  Once again, ice blocks would have been a good addition.

Today is milk and banana day, so it should be interesting...wish us luck!

The very beginning...

I have managed to procrastinate this first post for two weeks now...It's funny how one can get a simple idea and then the follow through or initiation of it becomes the biggest mission.  But, there is only one way to get over that..And that is to just start!

My latest discovery was made this past Monday at the Barley Corn in Lansdown Road.  I met up with some friends to listen to Emma du Preez sing.  I had heard she was good, but did not expect to be completely blown away as I was.  I am a huge fan of Regina Spektor; her quirky lyrics are coupled with amazing music and I've been known to listen to her on repeat for 10hour drives (Yes, I do those!). Well Emma is going to be my next artist on repeat!  She has a similar style to Regina and also writes her own songs.  Come May she will be recording her first album and so come June/July I will hopefully have her CD in my car ready for the long drives!

Emma at one of her gigs [Yes, I stole this from her Facebook page;) ]

So that's it for now...I will hopefully have something new and interesting to share soon!