What kind of person sips a frosty {sub} tropical smoothie in front of a blazing fire, wearing fuzzy socks, in the middle of one of the coldest winters ever??
Hello There!
It’s me!!!
I’m pretty sure by now, you guys think I’m crazy with all this talk of cold weather.
And, I really don’t blame you, because we Southern Californians’ are big babies when it comes to the weather.
Just see what Jimmy Kimmell has to say about the weather in this funny You Tube video…
Los Angeles Overreacts to Cold Temperatures
So naturally, what do I do to deal with the cold?
I make a freezing cold {sub} tropical smoothie, and enjoy it in front of a roaring fire while I dream of warmer climates…
I call it a {sub} tropical smoothie because in addition to the coconut milk, pineapple juice, mango, and banana, it also contains strawberries and my favorite in-season cara cara oranges, both which grow here in San Diego…not exactly the tropics!
Not only is it a deliciously easy smoothie to whip up, but it also provides ~ 1/3 of your recommended daily fiber intake, and it’s rich in Vitamin C. While there’s no evidence taking Vitamin C will help prevent colds, or taking it at the start of a cold, will lessen the symptoms, there is some evidence Vitamin C may have a modest effect on shortening the duration of a cold {~ by 1 day} when consumed year round.
And, cold fighting or not, it just tastes great! Here’s the recipe…
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup frozen tropical blend fruit {bananas, mango, strawberries, and pineapple}
- 1 whole cara cara {or other} orange, skin & seeds removed, and cut in to chunks
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- optional, 1-2 scoops protein powder {whey, egg white, rice, hemp, etc}
- ice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a powerful blender, such as a Vitamix. Add ice as desired to achieve your desired level of frostiness and blend until all ingredients are well combined. Enjoy!
Enjoy a single serve {with protein} for a main meal…
Or enjoy a smaller serving {protein optional}, along with the rest of your meal…
How do you like my tres chic barware???
Santa brought them to SiSi and Big Tex for Christmas, and I’m pretty sure my kids {who weren’t quite sure what they were} thought maybe Santa had knocked back a few too many glasses of eggnog, or something to that effect.
No matter what my kids think though…
These glasses definitely add a little sparkle to life on a freezing cold day!!
What brightens you up on a cold winter’s day? Any new favorite smoothie combos you’ve tried? Planning a trips to a tropical spot anytime soon? Please, pretty pretty please, take me with you!!!
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“Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all it’s flavour.”
William Cowper, 1785. 
Oh I don’t blame you for freaking out about the cold! Here in Ohio we had 2 winters that weren’t very cold, and now this year it’s finally COLD and people are freaking out! It’s hilarious. And, I’m with you on the cold foods during cold weather, Nick and I still eat our ice cream on cold winter nights
And, I LOVE cara cara oranges!
Thanks so much about not giving me a hard time about the cold Gina! You know what’s really good? Vanilla Ice Cream topped with Cara Cara Oranges
Ahhh, must make this immediately for our next fireplace fire. I just got a big bag of Cara Caras at Trader Joes today. Will absolutely be making this over the weekend!
Lucky you to have a big bag of cara cara’s. We had some tonight with dinner-love ‘em! Hope you enjoy this as much as I do by the fire
Great recipe, EA! The mason jars are a great touch!
- Alicia
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
Thanks so much Alicia! Love the jars too
It snowed overnight here. This causes such a panic that schools close, all the network TV shows were preempted for news about the snow–oh, it’s crazy. People in warm climates sure do have a tendency to freak out about cold weather, huh? I love this recipe and I am coveting your fireplace too!
Glad you like the fireplace Kirsten
. Even though its finally warming up here, I’m enjoying Saturday morning with my coffee in front of the fire! When I lived in Dallas, it was almost like the world was coming to an end when we had snow. I can’t imagine how crazy it would be if it snowed in Del Mar!
So funny – I would love it where you live! Supposed to be high of 20′s next week here in CT! Love your tropical smoothie.
I’m such a whiner, aren’t I Jeanette?
And, now I have no reason at all to complain, since out cold front turned in to a heat wave and we’ve been enjoying days in the 70′s! Sending some warmer weather your way 
I love this – AND your fancy barware. The adult sippy cup
. Seriously, I’ve got some coconut milk I need to use, and fruit, etc. All I need is the pineapple juice. As I sit looking out at the snow in Tahoe, it feels like the perfect drink to sip by the fireplace!
Thanks so much Susan, and glad you like my barware too
. Tahoe sounds wonderful right now! Are you skiing???
Those jars are adorable! I’m one of those crazy people who loves iced drinks no matter what the temperature. Here in Seattle it’s frosty cold, and I’m still sipping my iced coffee, but I’d rather have your tropical smoothie and be dreaming of sunnier weather.
Sending some sunshine your way Kristi
Funny, I love frosty smoothies year round too, but am much more of a hot coffee lover, than iced coffee. Hope it warms up a little for you soon!