Fruit & Oat Power Smoothie {she made, ella hace}

Uuuuummmmm....was I complaining about how cold it still was around here one month ago?  I think that I was.  I mean, I do love to complain about mother nature skimping out on Spring and Autumn.  Because of course I would get the shaft when it comes to my favorite seasons.  The ones that allow me to breathe.  To relax.  To gear up for the bitter cold or the sweltering heat, whatever the case may be.  So allow me to complain about the ridiculous heat we've been having lately.  You know, just to prove my point.  Snow one month ago.  Temps in the nineties today.  I miss you Spring.

What's my point?  I know you're beginning to wonder.  Well, as you can see, it's she made, ella hace time today - the time when I get together with Leslie and we both make our own versions of a dish...or take a theme and roll with it.  Leslie suggested that we do "breakfast" as our theme this month, and I whole-heartedly agreed.  I mean, I'm constantly craving my favorite breakfast, which is Chilaquiles.  I figured it would be the perfect time to share another variation with you.

Then the month got crazy.  And it got hot.  And I loathed turning on any source of heat unless it was absolutely necessary.  I guess the short of it is, that I basically got lazy.  I didn't feel like making Chilaquiles...and actually measuring out ingredients and writing them down.  I mean, whip up some salsa, fry up some chips, pour the salsa over the chips and stir, top with queso, maybe an egg, probably some crema and avocado.  Lazy, I say.

So, the day before yesterday, I told Leslie how much I sucked and she suggested we do a breakfast drink.  That lady is brilliant.  Just one reason I like her so much.  Cold drinks to start off a hot day are just right.  Today, it's smoothies, to be precise.

These smoothies are packed with fruit, oats, wheat germ, and chia seeds to start the day off right.  Not only are they refreshing and delicious, they're such a healthy way to start off the day.  And, as often happens, Leslie and I were thinking along the same lines.  Just head over and check out her Strawberry Oat Smoothie.  You'll see.

Fruit & Oat Power Smoothies

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: n/a

Keywords: blender beverage breakfast vegetarian oats papaya cherries strawberries American summer

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 1 cup milk (almond, rice, soy, dairy)
• 1/4 cup uncooked rolled oats
• 2-2 1/2 cups chopped fruit (whatever you like)
• ~2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
• 1 tablespoons wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

Instructions

Place everything in the jar of a blender and puree until thick and smooth. Serve immediately.

other options:

It's a smoothie, switch up, remove, substitute - the possibilities are endless. (pictured) Cherry-Berry (Cherries, Raspberries, Strawberries) and Papaya-Cherry. Use fresh or frozen fruit.

Brown rice syrup is slightly less sweet than honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar, so you will want to adjust to taste.

Try adding a couple of pinches of spice if it goes with your ingredients: ginger, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg. Or if the fruits fit, try adding a bit of fresh mint or even basil.

Add a scoop of nut butter.

Add a handful of greens to the mix (spinach and kale both work well).

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What happens when two American girls who are both married to Mexican guys find out that although one of them lives in the U.S. and one of them lives in Mexico, they both love eating the same food?  Well, naturally they decide to get "together" the only way they can and cook up the same dishes.  Or perhaps take the same ingredients and talking about them in their own voice or using them in their own way. 

Leslie and I have teamed up to occasionally cook/bake/make a our own versions of the same food.  We want to see how similar (or how different) they turn out.  Other times we will pick an ingredient and use it however we choose...or maybe just talk about it.  Good food knows no borders and we hope to share the food we love with you.  It's not a competition, it's a showcase.  We will post on the same day as each other and would love to hear your thoughts on what we've made and how you make it. 

Join me (here at girlichef) and Leslie in her kitchen (at La Cocina de Leslie) for some delicious food.