This is my first time participating in the Crazy Cooking Challenge at Mom’s Crazy Cooking. I was a little hesitant, being so new to blogging and not really knowing what to do. Truth be told, I’ve learned a lot … and I am continuing to learn a whole lot more! I am excited to see how my first link-up goes and may participate in more Cooking Challenge’s in the future!
This month’s theme is fruit smoothies/shakes. It seemed like a pretty easy challenge to get in on … and then I realized … there are like a bazillion fruit smoothie and shake recipes online! How in the world am I going to narrow this down?!? After days (literally) of searching high and low, I found the perfect recipe to try – Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake by Budget Gourmet Mom! When I saw Krista’s shake, I knew that was the one I was going to use. I like her recipe for a couple of reasons … One, it has chocolate! Winning! Two, it seemed like I could easily adapt other fruits and yogurt flavors in the future. I can’t even remember the last time I had a shake or smoothie before this. Years, probably! I don’t even know why I don’t make them … I like them, I just “forget” about them! I think after this Cooking Challenge experience, I will have fruit smoothies and shakes a little more often than every two or three years! 😉 I found a ton of recipes I want to try! (To see some of the recipes, click my Beverage/Drink board on Pinterest.)
When looking over Krista’s recipe, I did have to Google “Nature’s Sunshine Smartmeal Chocolate“, because I had no idea what that was. When I saw what it was, I had no intention of spending $20-35 for a bag of this stuff. I didn’t have any other protein powder on hand and really didn’t want to buy something I may never use again …. I had some Nestle Nesquik Chocolate Powder Flavored Milk Additive (you can pick this up at most regular grocery stores near the hot chocolate) so I decided to use that. I used chocolate milk instead of regular milk (I never drink milk – ever … chocolate-flavored was the only way it was going in my shake). Everything else, I kept the same.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Shake
I found the perfect recipe to try - Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake by Budget Gourmet Mom!
Ingredients
- 2 scoops Nature's Sunshine SmartMeal Chocolate (I used the one-serving equivalent of Nestle Nesquick Chocolate Powder Flavored Milk Additive)
- 1 cup skim milk (I used chocolate milk)
- 6 oz. low-fat strawberry yogurt
- 1/2 banana
- 4-5 frozen strawberries
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large blender and blend until completely mixed and frothy.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 531Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 223mgFiber: 6gSugar: 76gProtein: 18g
This was quite yummy! Even without the protein powder, I felt full. Thanks for a great recipe Krista! You can find her blog HERE. Stop by and check out all her yummy stuff. 🙂
Why have I never thought of this before? Oh yes! Chocolate and strawberries together, and to be able to drink it with a straw! I think you are my new BFF!
Ha! Having chocolate was a prerequisite for me 😉
So yummy! You can't beat chocolate and strawberries 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Melissa! I totally agree 🙂
Hi Jamie, I'm glad you decided to join the Crazy Cooking Challenge. I luv your chocolate covered strawberry shake and of course I'm going to have to make it. The warm weather gives me the 'o.k.' to make smoothies and shakes instead of eating a sandwich. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks also for following me, I appreciate it. Please visit my Berry Smooth at CC #17..
Joanne
Thanks for stopping by! I had a lot of fun with the Challenge! I look forward to participating in many more 🙂
This is one of my favorite blog linkups! Your smoothie looks amazing!!!
#31
Thanks for stopping by Jen! It may very well become one of my favorites as well 🙂 Loved your Banana Fosters Smoothie as well!
Chocolate – that does it. This is a wonderful combination.
Thank you Chaya 🙂
Looks like a great smoothie. And I LOVE all your pinterest boards (following you now). I have vowed to make smoothies once a day all summer long, breakfast or a dinner substitute on hot summer days and I can't wait to try ALL of the Crazy Cooking Challenge recipes from this month. Thanks so much for participating.
Thank you so much for hosting this fun challenge Tina! I honestly forgot how easy smoothies/shakes are to make … This has motivated to have more of them too! Pinterest is one of my many addictions … I'm sure you could tell by all my boards 🙂
Welcome to the Crazy Cooking Challenge. Love Chocolate, Love Strawberries, and I am totally with you on the chocolate milk thing! Good Choice!
I normally don't even do chocolate milk! LOL Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Hee, I'm not a milk drinker, either–so I'm with you on the addition of the chocolate! =) Stopping by from the Challenge!
Glad I'm not alone 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
This looks and sounds delicious! You can never go wrong with chocolate and strawberry! I am a new follower. Check out my smoothie # 22!
Thanks for stopping by Teri 🙂
Yum! I can get my chocolate fix and still tell myself that it's healthy. 😉
Absolutely 🙂
Oooh, this sounds amazing. Chocolate and fruit are meant to be together. I'll have to make these and maybe substitute cherries.
I bet cherries would taste yummy!!
Ooh! Yum! Strawberries are one of my FAVORITE fruit. This looks like something I could drink all day!
Thanks for stopping by Cathleen! It is quite tasty 🙂
Yum! I love chocolate covered strawberries! this sounds good!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love chocolate covered strawberries! Definitely need to try this one soon 🙂 It looks super yummy.
I stumbled, pinned, tweeted, and FB'd your entry!
<3
#26
Thanks, Sarah! I stopped by and returned the favor 🙂
Welcome to the CCC and your smoothie sounds wonderful, I adore chocolate and strawberries together, great entry.
If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my CCC entry: Mango Melon Banana & Chia Smoothie.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
Thanks for stopping by Lisa!I will check it out 🙂
For being a newbie blogger, you're doing a great job! This recipe is right up my alley – strawberries and chocolate. Perfect match! Stopping by from CCC #29 🙂
Thank you so much!
Good call on the chocolate! I love Nesquik; that was a great substitution. Sounds amazing!
Nesquick is so much easier to find – not to mention cheaper 🙂
Your smoothie sounds soo tasty. We enjoy smoothies a few times a week and this one is gonna be next! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoy it – I've made this one a few times and we really enjoy it 🙂
Welcome to The Challenge! Love your choice … chocolate and strawberries are a PERFECT pair. I'm a fellow NC blogger – nice to 'meet' you!
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground
CCC #24
Thank you for stopping by! It's always nice to meet other people from NC 🙂
Sounds yummy – chocolate and strawberries are a great combo!
Loved it 🙂 I also tried all strawberries without the banana … good also!
This would make a great breakfast! Sounds yummy!
Jen #59
Yes it would – Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I think I will be trying this one out. The kids are really getting into homemade smoothies/shakes.
It's great when they will willingly eat something healthy for them 🙂
I never would've thought to make a chocolate smoothie …
Definitely try it! So yummy 🙂
What fun! Crazy Cooking Challenge? I so need to check this out. I love your shake, chocolate, strawberries and some banana, perfect! Thank you for sharing at Freedom Fridays. Now I am off to check out this Crazy Cooking Challenge:)
Here' the link if you're interested – it's Fried Chicken for July 🙂 http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/p/crazy-cooking-challenge.html
If you enjoy smoothies/shakes/fruit, this is so yummy – and so easy!
Super yum! That sounds wonderful!
Thank you so much Dorothy!
Mmmm sounds delicious!!! I love different shakes, especially strawberry ones!!! And the addition of the chocolate is just a bonus!!!!! YUM!!!!
~Maria @ http://www.shopgirlmaria.blogspot.com
This one was so yummy – I don't know why I don't make them more often!
Mmmmm, This sounds super yummy! Thanks so much for stopping by Creative Thursday last week. I couldn’t do these parties without you. Can’t wait to see what you link up this week. Have a great week.
Michelle
Thanks for stopping by! Nice change of pace for breakfast or snack!
that sounds delicious! I am going to try this today for lunch!
It is so yummy! I hope you like it 🙂
Yummy! perfect combo thanks for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.
Thanks for stopping by Kadie!