8 June 2008

Pina Colada Smoothie

Pina Colada Smoothie
Last Tuesday on our mother/daughter night we had a wonderful barbecued meal from start to finish starting with Grilled Flatbread with Ricotta and Tomatoes . It continued with Grilled Lamb Chops with Tzatziki , Minted New Potato Salad and Grilled Asparagus with Lemon & Chive Dressing (neither of which has been posted as yet). In keeping with the whole barbecue theme I also barbecued fresh pineapple slices with a little rum and maple syrup and topped it off with lemon sorbetto.


This light barbecued dessert left me with leftover pineapple. So what do I do with leftover pineapple? Make smoothies!!!!!!!!!!!!

During the week breakfast is often a quick and rushed affair. This smoothie is not only packed with vitamins and minerals but gives me a trip to the tropics while I am getting ready for work. A bonus is it is packed with flavours and I can take my virtual trip to Jamaica "mon". Do they grow pineapples in Jamaica? Too early in the morning to think about it!

For anyone out there reading my little blog I must let you know that my posting for the summer will be more scattered, meaning just not as regular as it has been. I will attempt to post whenever I can or include simple, but tasty treats such as this. Why you ask?

You may be interested to know that my life has moved in a totally different direction, at least for the summer. As many of you know I have worked in a respirology and allergy health clinic for the past 11 years. I loved my job for many reasons but the people I worked with made all the difference in wanting to make this my life calling. Well... our doctor retired, life changes and you have the need to move on. When life hands you lemons you make lemonade or in this case Pina Colada Smoothies....wink...wink...

For the summer I have taken on a job that is very far removed from anything I have ever done. I have worked in offices since the beginning of time... my entire working career. I will be working at a camp for mentally challenged children sponsored by the Lions Clubs of British Columbia as a camp cook!!!! Yes me!!!! We have 40 counsellors and their youthfulness and endless spirit and enthusiasm is so contagious. It is like being a kid again and back at camp with songs, and games and plenty of laughter...and of course camp food..but... since we are in charge excellent camp food!!! The head cook is a baker so makes wonderful desserts ( I hope to stay away from those as much as possible....but who am I kidding!!!!) The moral of this story is that I will be eating 3 meals a day at camp so very little cooking will be taking place at home except on Mother /Daughter Tuesdays. The camp is 15 minutes from my home which is also an added bonus. I do have days off as well so I won't totally abandon you. I also have a few unposted posts that may give you an insight into what keeps me occupied.

I am so looking forward to the summer. It will be challenging working so many hours but I see the prospect as exciting too!!! I will be meeting so many sunny faces in these children who are so full of life and innocence of nature. So....I bid you adieu....I am off to work today cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks a day for..... 100. Bon chance!!!!

**Pina Colada Smoothie**

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 banana
1/4 cup ice cubes
2 teaspoon honey, optional
Pineapple wedges, for garnish

In a blender, combine the pineapple chunks, coconut milk, banana, ice and, if desired, honey. Puree until smooth. Pour into 2 large glasses. Garnish each serving with a pineapple wedge.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison. Best Blogger Tips

34 comments:

  1. Val, I wouldn't mind a splash of rum in here...just to take the edge off of the heat here in the East.

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  2. Hey, sis next time make one for me please.
    I added the new blogger feature which is called "Blog List" where you add your friends' URL and can see on your blog if they have posted something new. Isn't that great. I won't miss another of your posts.

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  3. AnonymousJune 08, 2008

    if you take some of your recipes to the camp, you'll be regarded top knotch and they'll love you for it!

    congrats on that. I say anyone working with kids is a beautiful person.

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  4. AnonymousJune 08, 2008

    These look wonderful but good for you doing something totally different.

    I do hope you bring your camera and keep us abridge of camp food.

    I think it would be very exciting for many of us to relive our camp food experiences!

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  5. AnonymousJune 08, 2008

    Camp cook! How fun is that?!
    I could go for a pina colada right now. It looks so nice and refreshing and it's so hot here :)

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  6. AnonymousJune 08, 2008

    Wow, a cooking job...you're going pro! Congratulations on a new adventure, may it be a lot of fun for you.

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  7. I'm already looking forward to you coming back and sharing your camp stories!!!

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  8. Fantastic for breakfast and then after dinner you just add a splash of Pina Colada and you have a grown up dessert!!!!

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  9. By the way, Val, I taught mentally handicapped children for 15 years and it was the best time of my life....it is so rewarding and fulfilling. I wish you well, my friend!

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  10. Yay! Congrats on your new job! That's great. It sounds like a lot of fun. I always wanted to go to camp as a kid, and never got the chance.
    This is such a nice change for you...I think you're going to love it (if you don't already).

    The smoothie sounds great. I love pineapple. Does it grow in Jamaica?

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  11. The smoothie looks great and the camp sounds like an excellent challenge! I hope you greatly enjoy it.

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  12. Congratulations on the job change. Camp cook sounds like a very rewarding job! And the smoothie looks delicious!

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  13. Oh neat! Sounds like some good kitchen experience.

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  14. Great idea for a smoothie...although I'd like a little rum in mine thanks! Good luck with your summer job...I'm sure it will be very rewarding Val!

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  15. Val its the perfect drink for this hot summer.I have always loved Pina Colada.

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  16. Val also plz let me know how this award thingie works?Once I get one what do I do?

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  17. Wow Val - You don't just go out on a limb - you dig up the whole tree. Kudos to you - a really ambitious venture for the summer - feeding 100 people. I'm sure it'll be such a rewarding experience.

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  18. Wow, what a big change in careers! Very admirable to be working with special needs children, I commend you. It is certain to be an enlightening summer, enjoy!

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  19. i have a very young daughter who takes after her gourmet father when it comes to food. i can imagine spending some time drinking things like this together with her!

    my latest post is about the 100-mile diet, which i found out about from you - so i dedicated the post to you!

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  20. yes, i like pina coladas. but not getting caught in the rain. (unless i've had a few pina coladas, and then the rain doesn't seem so bad...) :)

    (i hope you're familiar with that song...if not, i just sound like a nutcase!)

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  21. Wow! What an exciting job change! I think it sounds like fun.

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  22. Val,
    BBQed pineapple with maple syrup and rum sounds just decadent! Your Pina Colada doesnt look half bad either!! :)

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  23. Oh Val - what an incredible job to have for the summer!!! It should be so much fun!

    Pina Colada Smoothie looks great too but I think I would have to do this later in the day. The temptation to add rum just may be too strong!!!

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  24. Ooooooh Val! This work sounds so thrilling!!! You must be really excited to get your hands on food... ups, sorry... excellent food all day long :D On the other hand I'll miss your daily posts... well, maybe this will be the way to catch you up in your blog ;-)

    Lots of Luck and have fun!!! Hugs♥

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  25. That does look refreshing! I could use one just now. It is so hot here. I made a mango lassi for breakfast yesterday. Eating light is the way to go right now.

    Good luck with your new job. Your diners are in for some good eats!

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  26. Mmmm, my mouth is watering Val. I love pina coladas and this smoothie looks perfect.

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  27. Oh yes Val.... lets chink glass and say cheers *smile*

    Rosie x

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  28. Congrats on your new job Val, that sounds like so much fun, You're going to be great!

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  29. Where's the booze?! lol, j/k--it sounds delicious! Also, congrats on the new gig--I hope you really enjoy it!

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  30. Wishing you the best of luck and many happy times ahead in your new direction! We'll just have to treasure you when we find you this Summer-
    xoxo

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  31. Those camp go-ers are in for a serious treat with you as the cook! I wish you all the best, Val.

    I'm so envious of your mother-daughter Tuesdays. Today was one of those days when I was really missing my mom. I think that's just lovely.

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  32. Add some rum and I'm there! Looks like a perfect predinner cocktail to me... but I wouldn't refuse it for breakfast either!

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  33. Definitly trying this one! Sounds great!

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  34. This sounds like such a refreshing smoothie! Yum!

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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