SIMPLE POST-WORK SUMMER SMOOTHIE

Yes, it is true.

It did indeed take me until now to jump onto the smoothies-for-life-bandwagon!

The blogging community has long been waving their “The Smoothie Way is the Only Way” banners and has been doing so so very gracefully, no doubt.

And yet, I, on the other hand, had decided to ignore this trend completely.

One, because mashed carrots first and foremost make me think of pooping babies.

So that was kind of a turn-off.

And two – and probably more importantly –, because I did not own an electric mixer.

Which kind of made the whole idea of blending said carrots with crushed ice by hand somewhat intimidating. I guess I could have gotten out the old potato masher, but I’m not sure that would have done the trick.

However!

– drum roll please –

Just this week!

dddddddrrrrrrrrrrrr………

I bought!

DDDDDDDDDDDDDRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR……………..

THE MOST AMAZING IMMERSION BLENDER THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN!!!

ba-dum chah!

… and it enables me to make as many carrot smoothies as I want to! So there!

(And in case you were wondering, yes, I did just google ‘How to type out drum roll sound’.)

(The results were very helpful.)

Truth be told, it was my recent vacation that drove me into my newly-discovered smoothie-frenzy:

One hot day in Las Vegas, Panera Bread’s mango smoothies saved us from near-death by dehydration. And that was it. I was sold.

So on our way up to San Francisco, wherever we were, we had to stop to look for the nearest Panera.

So when I got home from work today I knew the only thing I wanted was a Panera-worthy mango smoothie. And that is exactly what I got.

Although I did have to make it myself.

Which is ok.

Because I am cool now and own an electric mixer.

This mango smoothie is the easiest thing to make ever. It is incredibly fresh and super sweet; perfect for dessert also. I can’t get enough really.

I also made an alternative with strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. This one is less sweet, but no less yum!

I got out something to read and spent the evening on the balcony. The perfect way to unwind!

And can I just say how glad I am that the sun is setting later and later! A few weeks back it was pitch-black and bitterly cold at this hour! I am SO glad that is over!

MANGO SMOOTHIE:

1 whole mango, diced

3 Tbsp low-fat yoghurt

1 Tbsp honey (or to taste)

crushed ice

In a stand mixer, or using an immersion blender, mix the diced mango with the yoghurt. Add honey to taste. Add crushed ice and a straw.

BERRIES SMOOTHIE:

about 7 large strawberries, diced

1 generous handful of raspberries

1 handful of blueberries

3 Tbsp low-fat yoghurt

1 Tbsp honey (or to taste)

crushed ice

In a stand mixer, or using an immersion blender, mix the berries with yoghurt. Add honey to taste. Add crushed ice and enjoy!