Fresh Fruit Smoothie

I'm finally getting another post out.  What a whirlwind the last few weeks have been!  I know I've said this before, but when your time is short with people, you really make the most of it.  We had such a memorable Christmas sharing it with friends and extended family but especially our kids.

We had all of our usual traditions.  Hubby and Son take care of Christmas Eve dinner.  We always have lobster, complete with lobster races on the kitchen floor.  Little Brown Dog goes nuts!  The Girls did the whole Christmas Day brunch and I took care of contributing to Christmas dinner at my brothers.  Sounds like all we do is eat.  That's pretty much it... food, food and more food! 

Hubby and I flew out Christmas night, arrived on Tortola the next day and literally hit the ground running.  We set-up the boat, cleaned and provisioned and picked up our guests on the West End of Tortola a day and a half later.

Our guests were fellow Californians from Marin County and were a family of four.  Coincidentally, they are friends with our next door neighbors in Santa Barbara... such a small world!   They were awesome and such a pleasure to have on board.  I'm always amazed at how fast the week goes by with guests.  We dropped them off yesterday.  Goodbyes are always tough.  Really hope to stay in contact with them. 

Right away I got the laundry and errands taken care of on Tortola before taking off.  When we have time, we like to head to the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda.  We arrived early evening, got cleaned up and headed straight to Fat Virgin for dinner.  As much as I enjoy cooking, I certainly wasn't preparing a meal!

I had dreams of sleeping in.  Didn't happen.  I guess I was still on charter time.  Exercise was definitely the first order of business for the day.  A hike in the beautiful North Sound was a great way to take care of that.  We didn't even eat breakfast first which is unusual for us. 

Just check out this view!  I couldn't wait to see it again.  It takes my breath away every time!

 We started our hike on Guy's Trail.  The Bitter End anchorage was still quite full but nothing like it was New Year's Eve.  We spent New Year's here with our guests.  I haven't seen so many boats in the anchorage for a long time.  It was great to see things so busy.

This view of the Atlantic Ocean is equally spectacular.  We took the Orchid Trail route that drops down to Biras Creek Resort.

There are usually one or two Iguanas creeping around.  They aren't my favorite creatures... that's for sure!

From Biras Creek we got on the Mangrove Trail back to Bitter End where we left our dinghy. 

We worked up an appetite, but there was no way I was getting close to that stove... at least not yet.  As much as I love cooking, I definitely need a break so I can get excited about it again.  So the logical thing to do was whip up a smoothie. 

It was a perfect idea with all of the leftover fruit from this charter.  I tend to overbuy because I like to get my produce at different stages and I'm not sure how things are going to ripen and last.  I had an awesome variety.  A fruit smoothie is a great way to use up your fruit.  It can even be a little over ripe.  What I didn't use in this smoothie I cut up into small pieces, threw in a zip top bag, and put it in the freezer for a later time. 

I like to add these little goodies to my smoothie but it is all very optional.  I bring my Udo's Oil, Flaxseed Meal, Chia Seeds and Protein Powder from home.  Although, I'm sure I could get Protein Powder here at the little health food store in Road Town.  This isn't my favorite brand of Coconut Water but it's what I can get here in the BVI.

I soak my Chia Seeds in water and keep them in the refrigerator.  It's not absolutely necessary but they are easily digestible that way.  I won't bore you with the health benefits of all these little goodies.  You can easily find that info on the internet.    

In this smoothie went blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, banana, mango, pineapple, freshly squeezed orange juice and the passion fruit on top... yum!  The beauty of a smoothie is you can add whatever and how much of anything you want.  You could even add yogurt for a creamier texture, but I think the bananas take care of that.  If your fruit isn't frozen then add more ice to the blender.  No recipe necessary.  Just add whatever you like and you can't go wrong.  

Smoothies will be our breakfast for the next couple of days until we pick up our next group of guests... then it's back to cooking!