Out of the Box: Christmas Smoothies

Posted On December 23, 2019

Out of the Box: Christmas Smoothies

Hello everyone…I hope you had a lovely week! However, it is hard to believe that Christmas around the corner! Every year my grown-up kids and grandkids come to my house to enjoy Christmas dinner. So, every year I surprise them preparing something different; in short, a few years ago, I made pork with the twist; also, last year, I baked meat dumplings. And today, I finally decided to go out of the box: to do easy Christmas smoothies that fit grown-up and kids.

So, my family loves smoothies, especially on Holiday Season. But since Christmas is a particular time, I want to create and share with you something different from what is usual, new, and, also, refreshing.

      What does Christmas Mean?

Do you know how did Christmas starts?Acording to Wikipedia, early Europeans celebrated the light and birth of Jesus in the darkest days of winter. In conclusion, every country celebrated Christmas differently. For example: in Scandinavia – Christmas season started from December 21 through January. And, in recognition of the return of the sun, the man of the house would bring home big logs and would set on fire.

So, in Germany, many people choose to stay at home. They believed the pagan God Open made natural flights through the sky to observe his people and then decide who would prosper or perish.

Also, in Rome, Saturnia – the god of agriculture – was celebrated. It was a hedonistic time when food and drink were plentiful. Businesses and schools closed so that everyone could join in the fun.

       The “True meaning of Christmas.”

The “ True meaning of Christmas.” is a phrase that began to appear in the mid- 19th century. Christians started to exchange gifts, and seasonal Christmas shopping began to assume economic importance.

This an early expression of “the true meaning” is found in The American magazine, vol 28 (1889):

“ to give up one’s very self – to think only of others – how to bring the greatest happiness to others – that is the true meaning of Christmas.”

Though these days, people decorate their homes with bright and colorful lights, and a Christmas tree, also gift shopping, and goodwill greetings, Midnight Mass or other church services, meals,  and etc.

                                                                                  Christmas Eve 

Though Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day; to clarify: the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus, and is a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day.

In short, that day, many cultures have exceptional food: people eat only fish or herring dishes ( no meat at whole), and prepare shakes and drinks in a particular way, also start eating food when darkness comes.

             Out of the box: easy Christmas smoothies and drinks

I love Christmas. I have a lot of memories of my childhood house full of aunties and uncles, cousins, and, of course, …glasses of smoothies and shakes… and, as a result, I want to keep my memories from childhood and pass on my kids and grandkids.

All these out of the box: easy Christmas smoothies and shakes are very refreshing and full of the flavor of the festive colors. Also, they are perfect for any holiday or occasion.

     So, get creative:

 Out Of The Box: Easy Christmas Kiwi Watermelon Smoothie

Preparation: 5 min.

Processing: 45 sec.

Yield: 2 ¼ cups (540 ml)

     You need:

Watermelon: 1 ½ cups ( 230 g.) peeled, diced

Also

Kiwi: 1 peeled, halved

Date: 1 pitted

And

Ice cubes: 1 cup 9 240 ml.)

    Workflow:

First, place watermelon, kiwi, date, and ice cubes into the Vitamix container and secure lid.

Second, select Variable 1.

Third, turn the machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

Then, blend for 45 sec.

 So, per 1 cup (240 ml.) serving:

95 cal.

1 g. Protein      31 mg. Calcium

0 g. Total fat    1 mg. Iron

And

0 g. Sat. Fat     3 mg. Sodium

24 g. Carb.       714 IU Vit A

Also

3 g. Fiber         52 mg.Vit C

And

29 g. Sugar       0 g. Cholesterol

   Out Of  The Box: Very Berry Easy Christmas                                 Smoothie

There is a holiday drink to mixed from fresh or frozen fruits, also ice cubes. It is kids friendly drink.

                         So, let’s start:

Preparation: 5 min.

Processing: 90 sec.

Yield: 1 ½ cup

                                                                                         We need:

Strawberries 1 cup, fresh or frozen

Cranberries 1/3 cup, fresh or frozen

Blueberries 1/3 cup, fresh or frozen

                 And

Ice cubes ½ cup

Water ½ cup

Vanilla or soy yogurt

                                                                Workflow:

First, place all ingredients into the Vitamix container and secure lid.

Second, select Variable 1.

Third, turn the machine on.

Then, blend for 90 sec on High speed.

       Enjoy!

            So, per 1 cup serving:

110 Calories    5 g. Fiber

3 g. Protein     16 g. Sugar

And

1g. Tot Fat       87 mg. Calcium

0 Sat Fat          1 mg Iron

Also

24 g. Carb        30 mg. Sodium

141 IU Vit A     42 mg Vit C

2 mg. Cholesterol

 Easy Christmas Cranberry and Mango Lemonade with Vodka Cocktail

Preparation: 5 min

Processing: 30 sec

Yield: 1 ¼ cups

                      We need:

Cranberry juice: ¼ cup

Mango lemonade: ¼ cup

Vodka: 1/4 cup

Ice cubes: 1/2 cup

                       Workflow:

Once we get all the ingredients, we need to mix them and enjoy the cocktail!

   Out Of The Box: Easy Christmas Cranberry                        and Pineapple  Punch

                    Preparation: 5 min.

                    Serving: 1

                                                                                                                You need:

Pomegranate juice: 1 oz

Cranberry juice cocktail: 2 oz

Pineapple juice: 2 oz

Sprite: 2 oz.

Ginger ale: 2 oz

Vodka: 1 oz

                                                             Also

Ice Chips:   1 cup

So, take the glass and mix all ingredients. Enjoy the punch.

           Out of the box: Christmas tangerine                                              punch

As everybody says, it is the best way to drink wine without any ingredients or fruits; however, juice, fruits, or any kind of ingredients reveal the unexpected taste of punch.

                                                                                   We need:

Tangerine juice       3 cups

Bloody Orange        1

Orange  liqueur        1/2 cup

White dry wine       1 bottle

To sum up, mix everything and enjoy the tangerine punch!

            In Conclusion, Most Important Tips:

1. So, before mixing all ingredients, chill the bottle of wine for a better taste of punch.

2. Usually, punches are on the sweet side, so I recommend to use dry white wine.

3. Also, open the bottle of wine right before pouring it to the punch.

                                                                   Conclusion:

In conclusion, Christmas is the most beautiful holiday season of the year with the carols, Christmas tree, a lot of food and, of course, smoothies, drinks, punches, and… happiness!

     Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  Please leave a comment below.

Jidrone Paliskis

HTTPS://WWW.SIMPLEFOODRECIPESFORBUSYMOMS.COM

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