Mango, Pineapple, Banana Green 'Thickie'

So, I did try an entire week of the 'Green Thickie' Challenge (which you can red more about HERE), and I have to say that I am pretty impressed! In the 7 days that I consistently drank the smoothies for breakfast, I lost almost 3 pounds!
The only downfall was the morning prep time!  After a few days I decided to create a bunch of pre-made smoothie packs, with all the fruit and igredients pre-measured and ready for blending.
I've been trying a lot of different combinations and ingredients including beans, applesauce, nuts, cottage cheese, and various yogurts. I've come to the conclusion that the combo that fills me up AND has the best taste, is the oatmeal and Greek yogurt mix. The others were good (although you  need to make sure you drain the beans really, really, reeeeeally well), but I think this pair will be my go-to.
I went into this week really wanting to experiment with some pomegranate, but after wandering around the produce department for more than 20 minutes without being able to locate either the  pomegranate or someone to ask (and truthfully I as almost to the point here I wanted to throw my basket and yell "WHERE ARE THE FUCKING POMEGRANATES!!?") Sooo, I took that as a sign and went with manbgo instead ;-)

• 1/2 Oikos - Greek Nonfat Yogurt Plain- 60 cal
• 2/3 Cup- Frozen mango- 62 cal
• 1/4 Cup (dry measurement)- Quick Oats- 90 cal
• 1/8 Cup- Frozen pineapple- 35 Cal
• 1/2 Med. Banana- 53 Cal
• 1.5 Cups- Raw baby spinach- 10 Cal

GIVEAWAY!! Vermont Village Applesauce 'Pack the Pantry' Giveaway!

So having grown up in a family that owned (for 30 years!) a business here in Vermont, I have always been a very "buy-local" gal and still am! It's also no secret that I frequent the local natural food store and that we are really trying to instill in our daughter a love for organic foods at an early age.

I found a great combination of local, organic and *delicious* packed into Vermont Village Applesauce and am completely enamored with their product! Vermont Village is not only all natural and manufactured here in Vermont, but they work in collaboration with many local farmers, so not only do I feel great eating it, but I feel good buying it.

You may be wondering what the big whoop about applesauce here is, but let me tell you, this is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill, brown-bag-lunch applesauce. It has a rich texture- full of real, juicy apple and with a lively, full-mouthed flavor, it's almost like getting to eat dessert anytime, guilt-free! It tastes homemade because, well.. it is! They still make this the old fashioned way in small kettles, ensuring it's incredible taste.

The company sent us an assortment of flavors to try- all unsweetened and with fresh fruit varieties including Peach, Strawberry Banana, Mixed Berry, Raspberry and Tropical Mango, and the whole family has gone fruity (haha, get it?) over them! Vivi is enjoying the change from icky processed apples to this yummy variety (her fave is the mango!) and Mike (our resident chef) has been trying out some of their recipes, and is loving the applesauce salad dressing. And me? Well, I discovered they make Maple Applesauce and have been in 7th heaven ever since!

WIN IT!

We’re giving away a Vermont Villages Organic Pack the Pantry giveaway!! Our prize package will consist of 4 packs of each flavor pack in the following flavors:

♥Unsweetened♥
♥Cinnamon♥
♥Peach♥
♥Strawberry Banana♥
♥Mixed Berry♥
♥Tropical Mango♥

HOW TO ENTER:

To enter the Pack The Pantry Giveaway, leave me a comment (go to the bottom of this post and you will see a "click here to leave comment" button) and leave one of the following:

1. Your favorite recipe involving apples (it can be your own recipe or just one you've made)
or
2. Your favorite Fall photo

One comment entry per person, please read below for instructions on how to submit additional entries. Please include what state you are from with your entry! The winner will be chosen by random raffle after all entries have been completed. Contest will close on Friday, June 18th at 12:00 PM.

Additional Entries:

You can submit additional contest entries by doing to following:

1. “Follow” my blog and leave me a comment telling me why you think it is important to buy local.
2. Fellow bloggers can link my blog to yours and also gain an additional entry.

This product was provided free of charge by Vermont Village Applesauce. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind