Like many food writers, I share my food photos and creations on Facebook.. I even have a dedicated Just a Smidgen Facebook page ♥ and it’s been so much more than a “slice” to play around there… and I truly appreciate the comments that I receive. There have been a few queries over the past little while, perhaps it has to do with some of those hale and hearty tipsy New Year’s Eve Resolutions.. but many have been asking me  “How do I do it?” In other words.. how does one resist devouring all of the yummy baking found on my blog. It’s not too difficult, just a few steps that I try to follow: exercise – yup, there’s no easy way around that one.. cardio and lifting weights portion control – I have what I want, when I want, but I just sample, have one and take less if it’s meal time sharing – I am blessed to have family and friends who support and encourage each other. It gives me a lot of pleasure to share my baking with them. Ruth-Anne began this years ago… popping by with some of her best desserts on pretty plates. I haven’t “made the rounds” to everyone yet.. but, trust me, I haven’t forgotten you! On a really happy note… this week was the start of a new Volunteer role for me… one afternoon a week I have the privilege of bringing my baking around to the infirm and they seem grateful to have a visit and a little home baking. The second request I’ve often had is to “please share something gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, um, with coconut oil, and well, make it healthy?” One of my faithful blog followers is a relative of mine. His story is an inspiration for me. Although he has been athlete from a young age, he had an epic battle with his weight… and won!! This is his story… “I lost 90 lbs in only about one year. I have gained 20 lbs back due to weight training over the last couple of years. I began with walking daily, added some running, and then eventually all running every day. I was 266 to 174 and now a lean 194 lbs. These days I weight train for 4 days run for two and take a day off.” When I asked him about diet and supplements, he wrote, “I still ate most of what I liked just less (eg half sandwich instead of whole, coffee no cream or sugar). I also chose lower fat sandwiches. No soda pop & very infrequent alcohol. Rivalus supplements were added for the last year, I began with their protein after running. It sure opened my eyes to a faster recovery.” All it took was a simple recommendation from his doctor and his life has been transformed. He is now an awesome body builder and healthy eating/supplement advocate. What is phenomenal is how he went from “every day ordinary” to “exceptional” in a matter of months. He is the one who requested that I make a recipe with coconut oil.. because (he patiently teaches me) it is a fat that helps your body burn other fat and has less “fat” calories than any other. Apply it topically and it can help reduce bruising and it taste great… now that’s my kind of fat! I picked up a jar from our local organic food store and left it in the sun to liquefy (it’s like honey that way). My daughter had already purchased a huge tub of vanilla ice cream whey protein powder a while back. Another food writer, Dan from Dan’s Good Side, sent out an email about a Calgary Co-op Contest to lighten up a comfort food recipe. Then the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place was the appearance of Clementines as a snack at orchestra practise! That’s it… I would do a healthy make-over of a favorite childhood treat… the Creamsicle would become the Dreamsicle Smoothie!

This one was so fast, easy and delicious! Play around with the ingredients as you wish for taste. I know Creamsicles weren’t known to have coconut flavor, but I decided.. if it’s healthy I want it in my shake. I like the addition of lots of ice so it blends to an frosty/icy texture. Extra clementines, more banana, or replace the milk with Vegan Almond Milk, you decide… and you’ll have a healthy Dreamsicle Shake to enjoy. I poured my extra into a few popsicle trays to enjoy when I get home from Hot Yoga class. Once frozen, I found the banana flavor tended to dominate.. so if you’re going for orange, perhaps use half the banana when freezing.. No chemically enhanced orange coloring here… just pure flavor…

Dreamsicle Smoothie

Dreamsicle Smoothies

 

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Ingredients

• 8-10 Clementines squeezed (1 cup)
• 1 small banana
• 1 scoop vanilla (ice cream) flavored protein whey powder
• 1/4 cup skim milk or almond milk
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2-1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and mix on high until ice is crushed and the drink is frothy.
2. Pour and enjoy!
3. Pour into Popsicle Trays if you wish to make healthy frozen pops!

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