Mixed Berry Coconut Smoothie (And Wildberry Coconut Cocktail)

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I was sick as a dog last weekend. I'm not even sure what "sick as a dog" means, but whatever it is, I was it. Headache, throat ache, nasty cough bark, the whole sha bang.

So what'd I do? Darn right, I made myself a smoothie! My mom used to make fruit smoothies when I was sick so I "Pulled a Bonnie" and did the same.

Only a sick person has much less energy than her energizer bunny mom. So, I couldn't even think about combining lots of freshly cut up fruit. Enter frozen fruit, my best friend. And coconut milk, my other best friend. When combined, the two make a lovely child.

Note: This would be to die for with rum. Malibu is high in sugar but might be worth it if you like it sweet. Otherwise, stick with a light rum that is either normal flavored or berry flavored.

Mixed Berry Coconut Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Frozen Fruit (I used a bag of mixed berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries)
• 1/2 cup Coconut Milk
• Optional: 1 tablespoon Agave Nectar

Directions:

1. Combine in a blender and mix well. If the blender gets stuck and won't mix any further, add coconut milk in small increments until you are successful!
2. Serve!

Wildberry Coconut Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Frozen Fruit (I used a bag of mixed berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries)
• 1/2 cup Coconut Milk
• 1 1/2 shot, White Rum

Directions:

1. Combine in a blender and mix well. If the blender gets stuck and won't mix any further, add coconut milk in small increments until you are successful!
2. Serve!

Blueberry & Chambord Patriotic Cocktail

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This cocktail is... complicated. On the front end, a burst of delicious blueberries and black raspberry liqueur speaks of freshness. A moment later, a rich, vanilla flavor creeps in, the remnants of well-infused Chambord.

Summer is, by far, my favorite time of year. I know I'm not alone in this, but I feel it very strongly. I pretty much whine and moan all winter, complaining about how much I despise Chicago winters. I even went down South to Memphis, Tennessee for 4 years of college, and thankfully was able to escape the cold... temporarily. I recall, as a kid, my mom trying to remind us to savor our summer days. And I also remember hearing her once say that, once you reach the 4th of July, summer suddenly speeds up and ends soon.

We only get about 10 weeks of wonderful weather each year in Chicago. And the whole city buzzes and hums and glows with delight.

So this year, on the 4th of July, I plan to take that moment to savor the summer. And to be gosh darn patriotic. Because the safety and comfort of wonderful weather deserves some red, white, and blue. And because, let's face it, what is better than a cocktail that fits the occasion? St. Patty's Bombs on St. Patty's Day. Whiskey Apple Cider in a mug while you sit in front of a fire next fall. And this delicious patriotic cocktail on the 4th of July.

Notice the Chambord? It's a french liqueur made of raspberries, blackberries, various herbs and spices and some vanilla added in. Why's it in this cocktail? Hello, people. The French helped us gain our independence, did they not? ;-) Gotta pay a little... homage. 

Blueberry & Chambord Patriotic Cocktail

Servings: 1 per recipe

Ingredients:

• Ice Cubes
• 1.5 ounces Vodka
• 1 ounce Chambord (if you don't have Chambord, a cranberry juice would only slightly change the flavor)
• 1 handfull Blueberries
• ~4 ounces Club Soda

Directions:

1. Fill a highball glass or tall mason jar with ice cubes. Add Vodka and Chambord.
2. Add half of the blueberries, then top off with club soda.
3. Sprinkle remaining blueberries on top and serve!

Fruit Infused Water... Chug it, baby, chug it!

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According to the Mayo Clinic, we need between 2.2-3 Liters of water per day (2.2 for women, 3 for men). On your average, regular day. Once you've factored in the summer heat (which is in the 90s lately), that goes up. If you work out every day, it also goes up. So I'm guessing I should be drinking around 2.5 Liters, as a ball park estimate.

That's a tough feat for me. I generally start my day with a delicious cup of coffee (and, in this heat, perhaps a cold brew... try it out!), then try to keep filling up my fabulous chevron cup from Holland. I draw myself 8 water drops on a piece of paper and try to color them in after every cup of water I consume. But sometimes... okay, a lot of times... I still miss the mark.

And when you're going on a two hour bike ride on a hot summer day, you sure as hell are gonna need to be hydrated.

But this summer, I've finally found my water drink of choice :) By adding some fruit to my water, I can very lightly flavor it. Somehow, this very light flavor manages to keep me coming back for more. I've been hitting the water mark every time.

Lemon & Berry Flavored Water

Calories: <5 per glass
Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• 5 frozen raspberries
• 3 frozen blackberries
• 1 sliced fresh strawberry
• Ice!

Berry & Ginger Flavored Water

Calories: <5 per glass

Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• 3 frozen raspberries
• 3 frozen blackberries
• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• (Optional: 1 tbsp Truvia or Sugar)
• Ice!

Lightly Flavored Strawberry Lemonade

Calories: <5 per flass

Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• Juice from 1/2 lemon (the other half)
• 1/2 lime, sliced and squeezed
• 3 strawberries, sliced
• 1 tablespoon Truvia or Sugar
• Ice!

Notes:

• Frozen berries work better! Unlike most dishes, when fresh has more flavor, when it comes to dropping things in water, the frozen berries share their flavor more quickly than the fresh ones. I expect it's because they've already been squished, frozen, melted, etc so many times during their journey from their home to my home.
• These lightly flavored fruit drinks are delicious alongside summer fruits like berries and watermelon! They are also paired wonderfully with cheese.

Protein Packed Chocolate Frozen Yogurt with Berries

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May I Have Your Attention, Please: This Just In! Ice Cream Is Finally HEALTHY For You! Go ahead, eat as much of this creamy, rich chocolate frozen yogurt... it will melt in your mouth, but only after wowing you with its sweet chocolatey ways.

Ummmmmm, froyo is the bomb. I first developed an addiction during my Senior year at Rhodes College, when a local Memphis froyo joint called "YOLO" opened up less than give minutes away from my apartment. I was a goner. So were my friends. Pretty much everyone I knew. (Sidenote, if you work at YOLO, you're welcome... we probably single handedly paid your operating expenses that semester).

I have to be honest with you here, this was sort of an accident. It all began with a lack of milk (sounds like the opening line for a hilarious book). You see, this workout-a-holic needed her post-workout protein shake. But how's a girl to nom some protein shake sans milk? 

Suddenly, I thought... I could make yogurt! And then another light bulb... and a scream... FROZENNN YOGGURRRTTTT! Imagine Justin's face as I stood in the middle of the kitchen, screaming about frozen yogurt. What a lucky man. ;-)

Have to give some mad props to my friend Monique over at Ambitious Kitchen for this one... After making this frozen yogurt as plain chocolate a few times (and eating it up before I remembered to snap a pic), I finally got a few shots of it con blackberries after I caught a glimpse of her Blackberry & Chocolate Greek Frozen Yogurt Cones and was truly inspired. Seriously. I actually ran back into the kitchen to make this again and add blackberries (after all, my favorite ice cream from Graeters is Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, which seems fitting).

Protein Packed Chocolate Frozen Yogurt 

Servings: 4

Calories Per Serving: 145

Grams of Protein: 23g per serving

WW Points: 3

WW PointsPlus: 3

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Greek Yogurt, Vanilla (I used Chobani)
• 2 scoops Chocolate Protein Powder
• 1 heaping handful of Blackberries
• Optional (for thinning): 2 tbsp Coconut Milk

Directions:

1. Stir Chocolate Protein Powder into Greek Yogurt. You can either stir it in completely or leave it swirled. Up to you!
2. Freeze for 2 hours. 
3. Remove from freezer and let sit for 30 minutes, or until you are able to stir it a bit around the outside. 
4. To mix it up (which gives it the smooth texture), either pop it in a blender or add 1/2 tablespoons of Coconut Milk and try to stir until you're able to stir it up with a fork.
5. Add blackberries and serve. :)

Notes:

• You can make this with any flavor of protein powder! If you're looking for Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, stir in some vanilla protein powder. I've also tried Cookies and Creme protein powder, which would be wonderful in this treat! 
• Are you going to make this? Send me a pic! I'd love to share it with readers, whether you follow the recipe exactly, or add your own twist! Email it to carly@createliveblog.com or post it on my Facebook wall!

P.S. if you're a fan of ice cream-like desserts, but not into greek yogurt, try this recipe to make ice cream using bananas, this recipe for brown sugar tapioca and ice cream, these chocolate mousse filled edible cups, or this recipe to make a twist on Chunky Monkey Ice Cream... using pudding!