Orange-Pineapple-Coconut Frozen Yogurt

I was organizing my freezer today and found a forgotten quart size ziplock of frozen pineapple. I decided to experiment but didn't pay a lot of attention to amounts. I'm blogging this in hopes of refining the details in the future when I attempt to duplicate it. So, for now, weights and measurements are in the 'best guess' category.

1 whole Cutie mandarin

2-3T raw organic honey

8oz. frozen pineapple

2T lemon juice
1-2t pumpkin pie spice
1c± whole milk plain Greek yogurt

1/2c canned coconut milk or coconut cream

~ ~ the thick kind that has to be spooned -not poured- out of the can

Cut the orange into little chunks, with the peeling on, into your blender jar. Add everything else and blend until smooth. Freeze in a 16oz. container.

Homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt freeze rock hard. Put the container on the counter a half hour or so before serving to soften it enough to scoop. . .Mmmm, the bright flavors of this were just perfect and although this is frozen yogurt, it tastes more like a fruity sherbet-sorbet. . .Lin

Pineapple Ginger Turmeric Yogurt Smoothie

I just wasn't feeling right this morning. My sweet pup and I went for a long walk in the sunshine which was wonderful, but didn't fix how I felt. I was also hungry and this sounded like a good option. I blended together:

5oz. whole milk plain Greek yogurt

5oz. frozen pineapple

a splash of pure vanilla

1T raw organic honey

about 1c -or so- of cold herb tea

~ I used Aldi's ginger turmeric

Not sure this will help with my current 'ick', but it was quick, easy and tasted great. Around 225 calories, if you're counting. . .

Pineapple contains bromelain which helps with inflammation and digestion. The yogurt can also help with gut issues. I think a blueberry version of this would also be excellent. . .Lin

Antioxidant, Anti Inflammatory, Anti-Everything-Bad Smoothie

Well now, this was an interesting idea that turned out really well! Something I'll definitely make again.

Drop these into your blender container:

15 chunks± frozen pineapple

1c± Chobani whole milk plain Greek yogurt

1/2 can Bubbly

1/2 lemon - cut in chunks

1-1/2" fresh ginger - cut up

1-2T honey-fermented garlic

Be sure to blend this well on high since the garlic, ginger and lemon contain a lot of natural fiber. Pour into a big glass or mug and sip on it until it's gone.

This will be followed up later by the slow-steeped Buckwheat Tea I'm making right now in my all purpose, trusty Mr. Coffee. Contrary to its name - buckwheat is gluten and caffeine-free, and makes an excellent, healthy tea.


Be Adventurous - Create some healthy new food and drink options. Your body will thank you! . .Lin

Carrot Fruit Cake-Bread

2 big carrots - finely chopped

1c chopped frozen pineapple 

1 mashed banana

1"cube fresh ginger - minced

1 whole mandarin orange - zest and chop

1/2c coconut sugar

1/2c brown sugar

3 lg. eggs

3/4c light olive oil

3/4c sunflower kernels

- - walnuts or pecans would be better

1/2c plain Greek yogurt

1T white balsamic vinegar

Preheat the oven to 350° Chop, zest, mash and combine everything above, in a medium glass bowl. In a larger bowl, whisk together the following dry ingredients:

1T cinnamon

1/2T baking soda

1/2T baking powder

2T ground chia + flax

1t salt

1c corn flour

2-1/2c all purpose flour

Pour the bowl of well combined wet ingredients into the flour bowl. Working quickly with a big silicone spatula, fold and combine these into a heavy batter. Today I transferred this to a buttered and sugared 8"x12"x2" glass baking pan to make a snack-coffee cake. This would have also made wonderful  muffins! Bake the cake for 50-60 minutes. If making muffins, cut the baking time way down, start with 20 minutes then do the toothpick test. Let the cake cool an hour before cutting.

My daughter was here while this was cooling. She suggested a cream cheese drizzle to accentuate the flavors. I didn't have cream cheese, so instead made this butter-cinnamon-vanilla glaze:

3T melted butter

1t Mexican vanilla

1c powdered sugar

1t cinnamon

2T heavy cream

Mix these together until smooth in a small bowl. Pour and spread over the top. 

Have fun with your creative combinations. . .Lin

Coconut Fruit Smoothie

1c coconut milk - from a carton

2c mixed frozen fruit - today I used

pineapple, mango, strawberries, blueberries

1c plain Greek yogurt

1T± Mexican vanilla

Put everything in a blender jar, pulse and blend until smooth.

My neighbor texted me yesterday to see if I wanted some extra coconut milk they had. I've used canned coconut milk before, but never this, the thinner type, in a carton. This Stuff Is Good!  For a while now, the liquid in my yogurt-fruit smoothies has been a variety of fruit juices. I like this much better. It seems to create a more natural balance of flavors, plus it's lower in sugar than fruit juice.

These amounts made 2 big servings, containing 240 calories each. Ohhh, this was good! Give it a try!  Get creative with your fruit choices. Bananas, frozen cranberries, frozen cherries, a whole-unpeeled mandarin orange are also excellent choices.  .😃. .Lin