Wow! I think it’s about time this heatwave took a long walk off a short pier and jumped in the lake to cool off! LOL! Sounds kind of good actually, doesn’t it?  I so wanted to when I ran out and quickly snapped 4 shots hoping I got an even “ok” one for you to see so that I wouldn’t have to go back out! Even the birds are too hot to chirp! The only creatures fully enjoying this are the butterflies and the ants! I think even the ferns are overheated, as they seemed to be saying “Thank you”, gently swaying  every time a breeze strolled past. This super hot weather is supposed to continue through the entire week, so I see a LOT of smoothies in our future! They’re so fun to make, easy, healthy and come together quickly in the blender! I cut up and froze a nice fresh pineapple yesterday that added the most refreshing flavor! Along with the frozen banana and strawberries, I knew it was going to be a delicious tropical blend. Whirled together with creamy lemon-flavored Greek yogurt, pineapple-orange juice, sweet flaked coconut, a touch of honey and a splash of vanilla, this was turning out to be one of my best smoothies yet! (I was temped to add a splash of rum in there, but it wasn’t even noon yet!) Maybe another day. 😉 This one came out super extra creamy, almost more like a milkshake, and was absolutely dreammmmy! Something I could see being served at a tropical island, oceanside tiki bar with cute little paper umbrellas! Mmmmm, if I close my eyes I’m there! Well, one can dream! To say it was very much enjoyed, doesn’t even come close to doing it justice. I know you’re really going to love this one! If serving for company, you could even garnish the rim with a nice plump strawberry, a wedge of pineapple and a maraschino cherry, and of course some of those little umbrellas! I just love those pretty little umbrellas! So if you’re suffering from this blast furnace of a heatwave too, this is sure to cool you down and healthy to boot. Heat always seems to drain the energy right out of me, and this really helps to pick me back up again. Enjoy, and have beautiful summer day! 

TROPICAL PARADISE 5-FRUIT SMOOTHIE with COCONUT & LEMON-FLAVORED GREEK YOGURT

2 servings

1 frozen banana, peeled and cut into 2″ pieces

1/2 rounded cup fresh frozen strawberries

1/2 rounded cup fresh frozen pineapple chunks

1 Tbl. honey

1/4 cup (packed) sweetened flaked coconut

1 – 6 oz. container of Chobani Lemon Greek Yogurt

1 tsp. vanilla

1 – 6 oz. can Dole Pineapple – Orange juice

DIRECTIONS:

Place all ingredients into blender adding in order. Blend on high until smooth. Pour into 2 large glasses. Garnish rim with fresh fruits if desired and serve with straws.