This heat has me craving something cool and wet in the drink department.  Not too tough to figure out when I remember I have some really yummy pineapple juice in the fridge, as well as a container of organic low fat plain yogurt.  And a dead ripe banana is in the fridge, making three critical ingredients. This smoothie is nothing new but it is sure worth revisiting during these dog days of hot humid Pennsylvania summer.

So out comes the blender, in goes the peeled banana, two big spoon scoops of plain organic yogurt and a healthy glug of pineapple juice.  Maybe 2/3 cup of pineapple juice and half a cup of the yogurt. I don’t really measure.  It is a dump process, measuring cramps my style. The best quality yogurt makes the tastiest smoothie so go for the good stuff, not that non-fat crap either!  Then you add either some low fat milk or seltzer water.  Maybe 2/3 to 3/4 cup depending on how thin you want your drink to be.  The milk makes a more substantial drink than seltzer produces.   Thinner tends to be more thirst quenching in this heat and humidity.  Top it off with 4 ice cubes. 

Sometimes I add a tablespoon of flax seed meal to it.  When I want to be extra healthy and virtuous!  Then blend the heck out of it.   At last a minute or two. When it is good and frothy and the ice cubes are fully broken down, pour it into two glasses.  Drink up

Oh so thirst quenching and healthy.  Low calorie and if you have a cough it will help as pineapple juice is a natural cough suppressant.  I make it because it tastes so good on a hot day when I come in from working in the garden. It is naturally gluten free. It fills the void for a snack when there are no gf brownies or cookies around. Plus, it can be modified to fit whatever you have on hand.I wanted to remind you readers that a smoothie doesn’t have to have weird stuff like kale or chia seeds or even flax seed meal.  Or funky fruits like mangoes, kiwi or white nectarines. Go with what ever fruit and juice you have on hand.  The yogurt makes it a bit creamy and is good for you.  The ice is critical for that chill feeling as it slides down your throat.  It is a great way to get rid of ripe bananas or peaches before they can spoil.  Don’t use under ripe fruit as they are less flavorful.

 One last thought; a smoothie can even be a bit decadent if you add some ice cream!