Banana and Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Do you have a sweet tooth but are trying to be healthy? Or, do you love bananas and are looking for another way to enjoy them? If you answered yes to either of these questions, than you must try this recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod. Whenever Kev goes out of town, I take advantage of it and make recipes that I know he won't eat (and are usually healthier too) and this was definatly one of them. Although it isn't his cup of tea, I absolutely loved it! It had the sweetness of ice cream, but far fewer calories, making it great for the waistline! The recipe listed is indicated to yield 4 servings. I served myself a serving and froze the rest for about a week. It was still amazingly perfect! This would be great to make in the spring or summer especially in a large batch for parties. For a more decadent treat, you could try adding cocoa powder or chocolate syrup of you like! Enjoy now or wait until it warms up!

Banana and Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Ingredients
4 large very ripe bananas
2 Tablespoons peanut butter

Peel bananas and slice into 1/2 inch slices. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for at least 1-2 hours.

Once the bananas are frozen, place them in a blender and puree, scraping down the sides as needed, until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Add the peanut butter and pulse a few times to combine. Serve immediately for soft-serve ice cream consistency, but if you prefer harder ice cream, place in the freezer for a few hours and then serve.

*The "ice cream" will melts quickly so I prefer to put it in the freezer for a little bit.

A Few More Smoothie Recipes

You may recall last Thursday I posted some of the smoothie recipes I cycle through on a daily basis. Well, here are a few more to give you more of a variety! I usually have my smoothie packs pre-made in a freezer bag with everything but the protein powder and liquid. It makes it super convienient when you are in a hurry. Plus, it is helpful for those fruits (like bananas) that are very ripe to the point you need to eat it or throw it away. Just pop half or the whole banana into one of your smoothie packs and it will save it! If you don't like your fruits and veggies frozen, you can assemble your smoothie the night before in your blender and place it in the refrigerator the night before. The best part is there are endless possibilities. You can use numerous fruits, veggies, and liquids in your smoothies! Enjoy!

This smoothie is a no brainer. Strawberry and banana combinations have been around for quite some time, but I still thought I would share. Sometimes we don't see the easiest things in front of us to make. It tastes like strawberry with a hint of banana. Adjust the flavors to your liking! 

Strawberry Banana

1 cup strawberries

1 banana

2 handfuls kale

scoop of protein powder

8-12 ounces unsweetened almond milk

Blend all ingredients in your blender!

I had extra apples on hand and had never tried them in a smoothie before. I figured with the strawberries I wouldn't really taste it, but it tasted just like I was drinking my Granny Smith apple and I couldn't taste the strawberry at all. I didn't mind though, I love apples!

Apple Strawberry

1 apple, fresh

1/2 cup strawberries

2 handfuls kale

8-12 ounces unsweetened almond milk

scoop of protein powder

Blend all ingredients in your blender!

This smoothie (in the corner there) is my go to smoothie. It was the first one I ever tried to start my green smoothie kick. I buy bags of frozen blueberries and strawberries and assemble my packs in one sitting so they are really easy to grab and go. Some of the others you need the ingredients fresh, but not this one!

Strawberry, Blueberry, and Banana

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 banana

scoop protein powder

2 handfuls kale

8-12 ounces unsweetened almond milk

Blend all ingredients in your blender!