Hummingbird Cake Smoothie | Silk

My husband makes smoothies every morning. The whir of the blender echoes through the house and I know that there is some combination of bananas, strawberries, greens and protein powder happening in that blender jar. Nutritious, yes, but also ho-hum.

I'm all for smoothies, but it's easy to get into a rut and enter the realm of "Blender Boredom." And there's just no excuse for such things, especially when a little creativity is all that's required to make something that's exciting to sip on.

Left to my own devices, I can't help but create smoothies that resemble my favorite thing: Dessert. 

I mean, it's not like I'm tossing a piece of cake in the blender along with my fruits and veggies... but I see nothing wrong with making my mouth think I am. 

What happens when you combine banana, pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon, pecans & creamy Silk Cashewmilk? You get a Hummingbird Cake smoothie.

Hummingbird Cake is a popular Southern spice cake that happens to have many of the same ingredients that work well in a smoothie. The tender cinnamon-spiced cake is anything but dry with mashed banana and sweet crushed pineapple incorporated into the batter and smooth cream cheese frosting slathered on top. Crunchy pecans lend some texture and nuttiness to this yummy dessert.

Eating a slice of Hummingbird Cake on-the-go? Probably not the easiest task. But whipping up a tasty {and guilt-free} alternative for the road? Totally doable.

So, if like my dear husband, you're going to blend up a smoothie every day... why not make it an enticing one?

Silk's recipe page has a multitude of exciting "Smoothie Solutions" made to banish "Blender Boredom": Lemon Cream Pie Smoothies, Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothies, Silky S'mores Smoothies... you won't know if you're in your kitchen or at a bakery!

Have some creative ideas of your own?  Silk's Smoothie Solutions contest, live from May 4 to June 5. {Nab a coupon by signing up for Silk's Newsletter!}

Hummingbird Cake Smoothie

1 banana {frozen for a creamier texture}
3 tablespoons crushed pineapple
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
4 ounces Silk Original Cashewmilk

1. Place all ingredients in a high speed blender. Blend until smooth.

2. Pour into a glass and garnish with extra pecans, if desired. Enjoy!

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

Coming Clean: Blueberry-Ginger Cobbler Smoothie

Do you know the one thing I have not been able to shake cravings for during this whole Clean Eating adventure?

Ice cream.

The most heavenly combination of my two favorite {naughty} things: sugar and dairy.

I have been so very good and, before my vacation a few weeks ago, I didn't cheat at all. But, tell me... how was I supposed to pass up an ice cream cone from the ever-lauded new phenomenon that is Smitten Ice Cream?

Yeah. That's what I thought.

{P.S. I'll be telling you a little more about our San Francisco/Napa food experiences very soon!}

Anyway, smoothies have sort of become my go-to for staving off ice cream cravings. They're sweet, creamy, and satisfying, but have the added benefit of actually being good for you, too! You can make them out of just about anything you have on hand, and they're super quick to throw together... not to mention, they're highly portable for the days when you've got to eat {or drink} on the run.

I have experimented with a variety of flavor combinations that have been absolutely delicious:

Banana + Almond Butter + Coconut Milk {in the carton}

Orange + Almond Milk + Banana + Greens

Pineapple + Banana + Coconut Milk {in the can}

It's almost hard to make a smoothie that isn't fantastic.

Today I'm sharing a fun concoction inspired by Clean Cuisine, which I've deemed a culinary bible for those trying to get the hang of the anti-inflammatory diet lifestyle.

The Blueberry-Ginger Cobbler Smoothie

Packed with antioxidants from the dark-skinned berries, anti-inflammatory properties from ginger, fiber from oats, omega-3s from walnuts, and rounded off with sweet dates and creamy coconut milk... it packs a pretty healthful punch, not to mention tricks your sweet tooth into thinking it got its way.

The next time you're tempted to dive into a pint of the creamy stuff, give this a try first. It's all the goodness and none of the guilt you're seeking for a cool summer treat!

Blueberry-Ginger Cobbler Smoothie
Adapted from Clean Cuisine

1/4 cup raw rolled oats {you can use gluten free if you prefer}
2 tablespoons walnuts, roughly chopped
2 pitted dates, soaked in warm water to soften
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 handful raw spinach
1 cup coconut milk* or almond milk
1/2 cup ice

1. In a high speed blender, process oats and walnuts until pulverized.

2. Add dates, ginger, blueberries, spinach, coconut milk and ice and blend until smooth.

*I use So Delicious Brand Unsweetened Coconut Milk Beverage, which is different than that coconut milk you will find in a can.