Spring is in the air! For me spring is when everything starts to come back alive. It feels as though everyone is waking up from the long slumber of the cold winter. The days are getting longer, and here (in northern Europe) we are beginning to see the sun make more appearances. People seem to smile more, it’s definitely the effects of sunshine and warmer weather, I’m sure. My chile plant and rose bush are beginning to bloom, soon there will be chiles to spice up my food and mini roses to brighten my home. I can now hear the little birds singing their beautiful morning melodies, welcome back birdies.
Another thing that awakens from the winter slumber is the selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. No more root vegetables and no more boring fruit selections. The biggest sign (produce wise) that spring is on its way is the sudden appearance of strawberries. Large, bright red, sweet strawberries. Oh how I long for that sight all winter long. The taste smell and sight of strawberries will help awaken you from your deep winter slumber. Every spring I eat my weight (times one hundred) in fresh strawberries. I love to start my spring days with a strawberry milkshake, it’s healthy and the natural sugars will give our bodies energy that releases slower into our bodies. Sometimes the milkshakes are made just with strawberries and other times (to keep it interesting) other fruits get added to the mix. Another variation I like to play with is the milk used. You can use soy, almond or regular milk and all will give you a delicious variation. Play around with the variations and let your mood or pantry decide how to get your spring morning off to a deliciously fruity start.
- 6 large strawberries
- 1 small banana
- ½ cup or 118 ml soy/almond or regular milk
- honey to taste, optional
- blender
- Peel the banana and slice into 4 pieces, place inside blender. Remove the stem from the strawberries, cut in half and add to the blender. Next add the as much honey as you like. Then pour in the soy milk (or other milk choices) into blender.
- Blend until the fruit has broken down into a smooth thick mixture. If you would like a thinner smoothie feel free to add more soy milk.
Last April I posted my recipe for Strawberry Green Tea Smoothie. That recipe contains caffeine so it will give you more energy. If you don’t fancy a milkshake for breakfast then enjoy it as an afternoon snack or pick-me-up. Now grab a good book, sit back near a bright sunny window and let the sweet fruit flavors fill your mouth. I can’t think of a better way to welcome the sunny days of spring, can you?
Delicious and so beautiful as always!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you Sandra,you are such a sweetie :)
Love your story about spring. I love soy milk, I'll sure include that with fresh fruits.
Happy Spring! I bet this is wonderful with your almond milk…I am allergic to strawberries, but I am sure another fruit would be lovely as well :)
Gorgeous photos as always!
That looks really good! I love smoothies/shakes. Yours is very spring-y. Love the flavors and the color.
I feel like I wait all year long for Spring to arrive!
@Victor, Thank you :) It's a great combo.
@Alisha, Happy Spring my friend :) Yes will try it next batch of almond milk. Oh no! That is sad to me :( Any other fruit would be great too.
@RavieNomNoms, The seasonal beauty is always an inspiration. Thank you:)
@Laura, Me too!
Can't wait for strawberry season here at home. Your photos are awesome and thanks for the help with YBR badge!
@Sandra, Thank you and it was my pleasure :)
A healthy punch in the morning. :)
i like this fruit combination looks wonderful
great post about Spring, my favorite season.
Wonderful photos as usual.
Thanks for sharing Nancy
Nancy, love your ode to spring with this refreshing strawberry smoothie.
I can't wait for strawberries! This shake sounds delish- gorgeous photos!
oh how stunning, I spotted this pic on foodgawker, I love your morning milkshake, a green tea version, I am all about a little caffeine in the morning..I cannot wait to check this recipe out, I enjoy your moody dark photos, I love your style, I also prefer darker images..take care
sweetlife
i agree with you completely. Spring is beautiful and lively and my fav .. colorful :)
This looks great, and I love strawberries and bananas together! Your photos are really beautiful, I love the white light. :)
I think I actually have all the ingredients for this right now! I'd love to start my morning off right with it!
Michelle, TorviewToronto,Roxana, Anna, Scrambledhenfruit,
Thank you ladies :)!
Sweetlife, Hope you like the green tea version. Thank you and it's really nice that you agree :)
Kankana, The Cilantropist, and Peggy, Thank you both very much :)
We love our smoothies here as well, although we almost always add protein powder. I LOVE the green tea smoothie! I had one in a restaurant years ago that was phenomenal and couldn't figure out how to replicate it. Thanks!!
Refreshing and delicious! AND … PINK (my favorite color)! :D
My smoothie partner is off to college again! Darn, looks like I'll have to have doubles on this lovely recipe! I do enjoy your stunning photography :)
MsByn, I've never added protein powder but sounds healthier. I hope you try out the green tea one, you'll love it.
Tiffany, Thank you :)
RedKathy, Doubles aren't such a bad thing, hehe :) Thank you!
Happy Spring, I can hear the birds singing in the background! Beautiful and inspiring photos as well as a delicious looking recipe for a healthy start to our days, thanks Nancy;-)
We still have some strawberries. better make some of this before it goes away again.
Beautiful presentation of a lovely spring-y drink. I won't begrudge you your spring, that's for sure… we're still stuck in summer here! Breaking records for consecutive days over 30 degrees, but at least it's not over 40 any more, phew!