STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE SMOOTHIE

Many years ago, Allen flipped a screwdriver into his eye when working on a car engine.  He and friends cleaned up the injury, he came home and tried to deal with the pain. It took many hours, but I finally convinced him to go to the emergency room. (Now I ask you, does that sound familiar to any of you?!)

THE BENEFITS OF OATMEAL

Allen’s eye was cleaned out by the ER staff, but they made an appointment with an eye specialist for the very next day because it didn’t look good. The specialist took a look, told Allen to sue the ER doctors, and told us that Allen might lose his vision in that eye. But, he also said that eyes regenerate and heal quickly. Especially with the help of B Vitamins that are prolific in oatmeal.  He told Allen to eat oatmeal every morning, and Allen did. The eye healed, and I never forgot how good oatmeal was for B vitamins.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE IN LIQUID FORM

One of Allen’s favorite desserts was strawberry shortcake.  As his disease progressed, he needed something easy to swallow. Allen, however never cared for the green smoothies I liked. But I had been researching and trying to find healthy, thick smoothies.  After I read about adding cooked oatmeal to smoothies to thicken and provide more vitamins, I knew I could come up with something Allen would like. I developed this creamy, luscious smoothie and it fit the bill. Use a spoon or thick straw for soothing, cooling deliciousness.

Even now, I sometimes make a double batch of oatmeal in the morning and store it in the refrigerator for the next day’s smoothie.  Sometimes I add some fresh kale or spinach when I want a healthier version but be forewarned. The color is certainly different, and it doesn’t really taste like strawberry shortcake anymore when it turns green.

To make this, simply add the ingredients in the order listed, and blend on high.  Since it is thick, you will probably need to stop the blender, scrape it down and finish with a final whirl.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE SMOOTHIE

• 1 Cup almond milk
• 3-4 Tablespoons Protein powder
• 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal to the blender
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 a banana
• 1 teaspoon ground flax seeds
• optional: 1 teaspoon sugar, agave, honey or other sweetener
• optional: 1/2-1 cup fresh spinach

Add ingredients to blender in order listed.

Blend until smooth.

If adding spinach or kale, it won’t taste like shortcake anymore, but is still good.