Banana Avocado Smoothie

I saw a recipe for an avocado smoothie online, but as much as I like avocados, I just couldn't bring myself to try it.  Callen likes avocado mixed with banana, so I came up with this smoothie for us to share.  I know avocado may sound weird in a smoothie, but it is often used in desserts in other countries, and it's so good for you.

Banana Avocado Smoothie

1 ripe banana, sliced
1 ripe avocado, sliced
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar (optional)
2 cups ice

Put the banana, avocado, milk and vanilla in the blender and blend until smooth.  The banana and avocado with blend up faster if they are sliced first.  Add sugar at this point if needed.  Add 1-2 cups of ice depending on how thick you want it.  Makes 2-16oz servings.


Callen enjoying his smoothie.  He got mad when I took it away, but I was afraid he'd get his first case of brain freeze if he drank it too  fast.

Yummy Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

This year for Thanksgiving I made a pumpkin cheesecake and a pumpkin pie and ended up with some canned pumpkin puree leftover.  I gave some of the puree to my 1 year old and he loved it!  I tasted it and thought it was gross.  But pumpkin is pretty good for you and only 1/2 Tablespoon is a vegetable serving for my toddler, so I decided to find a way to make it appetizing for both of us.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

1 cup water
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree (up to 1/2 cup if you really like pumpkin)
1/8 cup packed brown sugar (or more to taste)
splash of milk (optional, makes oatmeal creamier)
1/2 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spices (I prefer the cinnamon).

In a microwave safe bowl stir water and oats.  Microwave according to instructions on oats (I do mine for 90 seconds).  Add pumpkin, brown sugar, milk and spices to the oatmeal and stir.  I like to add these things after the oatmeal is cooked because it helps them to cool off fast enough to eat them immediately.  I'm to impatient to wait for them to cool :)

Makes 2 servings

A few modifications and I made another yummy breakfast treat.

Banana Bread Oatmeal

1 cup water
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 cup mashed bananas (about 1/2 of a banana)
1/8 cup packed brown sugar (or more to taste)
splash of milk (optional, makes oatmeal creamier)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

In a microwave safe bowl stir water and oats.  Microwave according to instructions on oats (I do mine for 90 seconds).  Add banana, brown sugar, milk, spices and nuts to the oatmeal and stir. 

Makes 2 servings