The sun is shining bright and we are expecting a hot summer day here at Twin Oaks, with maybe our first swim in the pool!!

I thought I would share this smoothie recipe with you all first!

The kiddos call this a “Florida” smoothie.

Blake and I have traveled to Naples, Florida, twice now for an anniversary trip, and I came home from our first trip determined to recreate a smoothie that we had and loved while we were there.

We make smoothies both for breakfast or for a snack, and they are always a favorite here!

Don’t be intimidated by the green color – I promise you cannot taste that green kale in there!

A Green “Florida” Smoothie

3 to 4 cups of coconut water
1 and 1/2 frozen banana, broke into chunks
equal amounts of frozen pineapple, peaches, and mangoes
2-3 leaves of kale – just the leaves, not the stem
1-2 inches of fresh ginger, peeled and cut into chunks

If you have a powerful blender, have your frozen fruit come up over your liquid ingredient just a bit. This will ensure a thick, spoon-able smoothie. Add the kale and ginger on the top. Blend until smooth, using the blender’s tamper to push the smoothie around in the blender while you blend.

*we sometimes add a splash of orange juice to this too!

*if we are not having this smoothie with other food, I will add a source of protein or fat – like some coconut oil, an avocado, or some chia seeds.

Enjoy!!

Well, of course math went out the window and we had to stop and make the recipe!

It is a great memory and this recipe has stuck around since that day.

These no bake cookies are that good!

To give credit for this recipe, I will say I am positive it was an ABeka math book, but I do not remember what grade Lane was in.

Of course we revised the recipe anyway, to fit our dietary needs!

This is the dairy-free milk and “butter” we use.

I buy our gluten-free oats off of Amazon prime, and this is the brand we use.

These cookies are a great summer treat, because you do not have to turn on the oven!

Let’s get to it so you can go and make them!

No Bake Cookies

1 1/2 cup sugar (we use coconut sugar and only 1 cup)
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup margarine or butter
3 cups quick cooking oats
1/4 cup peanut butter

Melt the first four ingredients in a sauce pan on the stove, stirring often. Let it come to a boil, and boil for one minute. Turn off the heat and add the last two ingredients. Stir the oats and peanut butter in thoroughly.

Drop by spoonfuls on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place the tray into the freezer to set, and then move the cookies to an air tight container in the fridge.

*we use the small cookie scoop to drop these cookies, and it is fast and efficient!

Enjoy!!