copycat recipe & review - Wendy's chocolate frosty

I am a sucker for copycat recipes because hey if you can make it at home why go out and get it?

I have been peeping this copycat "healthy" version of the Wendy's chocolate frosty all over Pinterest for quite some time and I figured it was time to give it a try. So here is my attempt & review.

Pretty simple ingredients that you might have on hand already.

1 frozen ripe banana. 1 C unsweetened almond milk. 1 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder. 1 tsp vanilla 

1/2 tsp chia seeds.

the banana is crazy hard to peel frozen, but fairly easy to cut into smaller piece to blend - which I recommend. My fingers froze peeling it. 

add everything to your blender cup and blend away.

pour into a mug/cup with a cute straw and enjoy. 

so. dang. simple.

But does it taste like a Wendy's frosty?

Well, no. But it IS delicious!

With no added sugar, no dairy and no processing it does not come close to the unhealthy & deliciously sinful taste of a REAL Wendy's frosty but I will definitely be making and enjoying this again!

It is far too runny (perhaps adding another 1/2 banana or some ice would help) and most definitely not sweet enough to be a total copycat recipe, which I think is a good thing because what it DID do was curb my craving for a milkshake/ice cream frosty.

It is rich (thanks to the banana & almond milk), filling, and perfectly chocolatey.

I give it a 5/10 on the copycat scale but an 8/10 on the breakfast smoothie scale.

YUM! 

mixed berry & almond milk smoothies

I have weird food aversions in the morning (I have all my life). The thought of eating toast in the morning makes me want to gag. I tend to like to drink my breakfast and seeing as that usually turns into an acidic coffee fest with no sustenance I have come to be a big smoothie fan!

Here is one of my go-to smoothies in the morning and some link love for some that I want to try!

This is a VERY basic smoothie with basically no creativity or thought- which is great for the morning!

Mixed berry & Almond Milk smoothie 

• 1 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds

Blend mixed berries & almond milk on high until combined - add more liquid if it is too sticky, and more fruit if it is too watery! Stir in chia seeds with a spoon after smoothie is done - don't waste good roughage by blending the seeds!! Haha Add any kale or spinach if you have it - why not get those greens in?

see? so. simple.

I like to add garnish and a fun straw to make it more appealing to drink! But hey thats just me and my weird relationship with food! 

I get the bags of frozen fruit at Trader Joes. I rarely deviate from mixed berry, but will make the occasional tropical smoothie from time to time. And I love using almond milk because dairy leaves me feeling bleh in the morning and there are only around 40 calories in 1 cup of almond milk so - score!

Here are some smoothies I have been wanting to try!

Pioneer Woman's pumpkin smoothie - Sounds a little heavy for the morning, but hey tis' the season!

Ashley over at Pomegranate Bandit has some amazing smoothie recipes! I want to try them all! Her pumpkin smoothie seems to be less heavy than Lee's so I would definitely try it!!

Elsie + Emma over at A Beautiful Mess have some killer smoothies as well! I'm loving their Peanut Butter Hazelnut Smoothie as well as the Raspberry Coconut smoothie.

YUM!! 

breakfast in the rain.

This morning we woke up to the most glorious sound and scent. 

Rain slowing padding on the ground bringing up the smell of earth.

One of my favorite things in the world.

The whole backyard was drenched, our plans of hiking were ruined but sometimes you just need to stay in on a rainy day and make a greasy breakfast for you & the love of your life.

I couldn't have asked for a better morning. I love my husband so much and he makes me feel like home, he makes me laugh. He is definitely my best friend...and not just in a cliche married way...but legitimately we have crazy jokes and try so hard to make each other laugh, he's the first one I call when I have a bad day or something good happens. I loved sharing my morning with him before we both go off to do our thing today. 

early morning traditions.

I began to realize as I was going through my pictures the other day that I drink a cup of coffee every morning and a little something for breakfast set out on a small plate, and usually take a picture of it! It is just a sort of tradition of mine. Even if I'm alone, even if it is a piece of toast or a muffin I always get out a small glass plate or bowl and have a proper little breakfast and enjoy the morning. 

There are few things I love more in this world than holding a hot cup of coffee in my hands and enjoying a little treat. My favorite of course is sitting across from my love or a good friend at a coffee shop eating a pastry and drinking coffee but I have also come to love the quiet moments I spend each morning by myself with my own little homemade brew and breakfast.

What are some daily traditions you have?