I have a confession to make. I have an addiction. An addiction only a few people are privy to. I’ve confided in my husband, my little sister, my BFF, Andrea and now y’all. Ugh. I hate coming clean but here goes. I only ask you not judge as we ALL have our crosses to bear. Hard to believe but I lose every bit of self-control when I have access to Winn-Dixie brand gummy worms. I’m absolutely fine in Publix but in the Dixie? I can’t even walk down the candy aisle. I’m pretty sure you feel it’s no big deal but, hey, eating a one and one half pound bag of gummy worms in one and a half days sounds like a bit of a problem to me! Yes, they carry a big ol’ bag as well as little bags. Y’all, they’re just the best thing you’ve ever tasted when it comes to junky, crappy candy. Winn-Dixie brand gummy worms are soft and juicy. And the flavors… oh my. For instance, I assumed the green gummy flavor was lime… smh… not my favorite by a loooong shot. But, no. It’s watermelon! Yeah. I think maybe y’all are starting to feel my pain now. Well, I have to cut them out of my life. Completely. I can’t eat simply one or two. I continue eating them even as I begin to feel nausea creeping in. I don’t have an off switch. I stop eating them when I run out; when the bag’s empty and there aren’t any more. I just canNOT have them in the house. To help fight this addiction I began to whip up this smoothie in the morning. As the day progressed I’d have a few spoonfuls or sips and that stopped any sugar cravings in its tracks. As long as I’m baring all I may as well let you know that I stumbled yesterday afternoon. I did. I bought two small bags of my “gummy crack” and by last night had consumed 1 1/2 bags. I’m tellin’ ya, it’s bad. Anyway, this morning I threw the remaining worms in the trash and prepared this thick, yummy and satisfying smoothie for breakfast. It’s 1:09 p.m. and I’m good, y’all. I’m good.
This so-good smoothie has almost saved my waistline. Chock-a-block full of fibre, vitamins and minerals, this smoothie will hold you in good stead, chasing away any hunger pangs for hours after drinking. Peanut butter powder is found in the nut butter and jelly section of your grocery store. Straight forward and direct, this powder tastes only of peanuts; there’s no funky aftertaste. Here’s the best part. Peanut butter powder has 70% less fat and calories than conventional peanut butter. 70%! Pretty great numbers, huh? The oats called for make a thicker smoothie, help fill you up and keep you satisfied. I use low-fat and low-sugar yoghurt, sometimes vanilla or strawberry flavored. If I prepare a strawberry PB&J smoothie I add closer to 1/2 cup of oats. Blueberries are not as juicy so that smoothie would call for less oats. I use almond milk, Elmhurst to be specific, but any kind of milk may be added from whole cow’s milk to coconut or any of the nut milks on the market. I sprinkle a little stevia in my smoothies to sweeten them up a bit but any sweetener you wish to add is fine. The peanut butter flavor is strong and savory, coupled with fruity berries, well, this PB&J treat will make you feel like a kid again.
Low-fat PB&J Smoothie
- 1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup low-fat, low-sugar yoghurt
- 1 cup fresh berries, if strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 2-3 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
- 1/2-3/4 cup almond milk or milk of choice
- 4-6 ice cubes
- stevia or sweetener to taste, optional
- Add oats to blender and pulse until they resemble coarse flour. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- To the blender add yoghurt, berries, powdered peanut butter and almond milk. Pulse until smooth.
- Add oat flour, stir well then pulse several times.
- Add ice cubes, sweetener and pulse until smooth.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving. This smoothie will thicken as it sits.
The Irreverent Kitchen 