Cool, nice, frosty, cute Friday-type things are on my mind this sunny day as we head into the weekend. Watching (and photographing) my kitty cat roll and tumble in a glossy beam of sunlight spread out over the hardwood floor was just about as serious as my mood wanted to get this morning. So I think today's whimsical post should match my content and daydream drifting mood.
I hope you have some excellent weekend plans or at least something to catch your breath and make you pause to inhale the sunscreen, coconut butter, watermelon-scented bliss that is summertime.
To inspire a cool down of sorts, here is my latest frosty creation .. Cashew Ripple Strawberry Shake + another look at my favorite smoothie of right now. It's green. Can you guess it? You probably can since I won't shut up about it 🙂 .. Oh, and I'll share those kitty cat photos that delightfully distracted me all morning..
Pink or Green? Choose your shake to fuel your day..
Green matcha..
Or Pink Cashew Ripple (shown at top).
I always feel ready for anything when I start the day with my energizing Matcha Chia Shake. (It is my fave shake of right now).
Of course leaving behind this perfect little creature is ALWAYS hard. Wish cats liked sunny days out and about too.
AM Sunshine? Check.
Frosty Pink Shake? Check.
Velvet-y ripples of pink banana-berry frostiness swirling with a rich hint of cashew butter. That creamy nut butter gives this shake an extra dessert-y quality that I totally love. Any nut butter will work.
Cashew Ripple Strawberry Shake
vegan, serves 1-2
¾ - 1 cup soy milk, vanilla
½ cup strawberries, frozen
1 ½ bananas, frozen
1 heaping tablespoon creamy cashew butter, salted (or substitute with almond, peanut, sunflower seed or walnut butter)
optional: ¼ cup frozen watermelon cubes (my secret smoothie ingredient for frosty, light soy shakes)
note: you could switch out the strawberries for any pink or red frozen fruit (watermelon, cherry, raspberry).
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to blender - except the cashew butter.
2. Blend from low to high until smooth.
3. When swirling, add the cashew butter. Reserve a small dollop to swirl into the shake after you pour into serving glass.
Serve chilled with a spoon...
And if you are in a more matcha-y mood .. like I ALWAYS am lately. Tr this Secret Ingredient Matcha Shake on for size..
Laura Brockway says
I'm intolerant to bananas, which really totally sucks because I love bananas, so could I replace it with avocado? Or do you have any banana smoothie replacements I could try? I'm severely ill and bedbound so smoothies are literally a life saver but normally my fiancé just shoves everything in! So we'd like to try more recipes and it's frustrating because all of them seem to have bananas 🙁 sorry about the moan! But I'd love your help 🙂
Cici says
I'm having the Cashew Ripple Shake today and I love it!!!! It's like snicking in a milk-shake for my morning snack but it's healthy. OH YEAH! Thank you for the great recipe. 🙂
mallikab says
ahh the strawberry one is so good, just made it! think I used too many strawberries though, mines considerably more "hot pink" than yours!
Erin says
The strawberry shake was actually as delicious as the expectations created by the pictures. I will make this again and again!
TheHolisticHealthCoach says
This looks so yummy!
Msrose says
This is soooo good! You were right when you said it has a dessert quality.
Sara says
Gorgeous! Do you think frozen cantaloupe chunks would work in place of the watermelon?
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes they would!
Sara says
Woohoo! I'll be making this tomorrow for breakfast and then blogging about it. Thank you!
Jaine says
These look soooo yummy! And your kitty reminds me of mine, she's a tuxedo cat and loves the yoga mat as well. 😛
Veganlife says
Kathy, can you use your magic vegan powers to make a non-raw vegan tuna melt? That's the only thing I miss since I turned vegan and I feel like you'd make it the best.
Kathy Patalsky says
Hmm... Interesting idea!!!.. Will think of this 🙂
Christina says
This looks delicious! I have to try it ASAP 🙂
GlutenFreeHappyTummy says
oh my gosh that shake looks SO creamy and delicious! YUM!
FBFDirector says
Might be trying this one today as I conveniently have all of the ingredients! Yay~!
Msrose says
"3. When swirling, add the cashew butter". Does this mean to swirl in with a spoon, so it's not completey mixed or while it's still in the blender?
BTW, I've made your green smoothie quite a few times now!
Kathy Patalsky says
I do both. Swirl some in the blender and some just on top with a spoon. Most of it goes in during blender though to create richness.
Glad u enjoy the green smoothie! Addicting, right?! 🙂
Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This sounds absolutely fabulous!
KristenParks says
Awww, your cat is adorable!
Elpoo says
I can not publish photos that show my kitchen floors. You are a God unto me.