A Healthy Weekend Start

Cherry Berry Smoothie

Cook's Notes: The beauty of a smoothie lies in its endless possibilities. You can incorporate whatever fruits and veggies you like and then custom blend them according to your needs with add-ins like protein powder, seeds, or whole grains. That means how healthy your smoothie is will largely depend on your ingredients. 
This recipe serves 2 and comes from Midwest Living
I am on my third bag of fresh cherries this season, as they are so good this time of the year. 
Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh pitted cherries
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 1/4 cup plain fat-free or low-fat yogurt 
• 3/4 cup blueberries
• 1 tablespoon cherry or cranberry juice or concentrate that has been thawed
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
• 8 ice cubes

Directions:

• Chill glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes.
• In a blender, combine all ingredients and any desired add-ins. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and blend for 15 seconds.

 Note I enjoyed the smoothie outside since the sun was shining and it wasn't raining. 

Corn, Blueberry, Avocado Salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing

Cook's Notes: A salad loaded up with juicy blueberries, fresh sweet corn, creamy avocado, tender greens, and fresh basil is all deliciously in season right now. Toasted almonds and red onion are added in for extra crunch. Optional: Add crumbled feta for a bit of creamy tang. A honey citrus vinaigrette brings it together with the best summertime. Recipe inspiration gimmesomeoven and serves 4.
Salad Ingredients:

• Mixed greens (I used a combination of romaine and baby spinach)
• 2 large avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
• 2 cups blueberries
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup chopped toasted almonds
• 1 cup whole corn fresh, grilled, or use a can of Steamfresh corn, pan-fried
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
• Optional: crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

Toss the salad in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle evenly with the dressing.

Honey Citrus Dressing
Cook's Note: If dried red pepper flakes are used, start small and test the taste first.
Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar (good quality) 
• 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed from 1/2 large orange
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed from 1/2 lemon
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil, extra virgin
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
• 1/2 small Thai red pepper, very finely chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried red pepper  flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a blender or shake well in a small Mason jar.