Spring sweets: berry smoothie

Between blizzards, chilly rain and dreary skies, this year's harsh winter to spring transition was crazier than usual. Thankfully, it seems like spring is finally here! Fingers crossed that it will stick around, but to make up for lost time, SCO is bringing you a weekly recipe series celebrating spring and featuring fresh, bright and seasonal ingredients. Our first installment is something easy to start you off: a fresh berry smoothie. Light on prep, but heavy on snack satisfaction, this smoothie has the added bonus of being packed with vitamins and protein thanks to the fruit and yogurt.

The base is simple: a combination of fresh and frozen fruit, Greek yogurt and orange juice, but one of the best things about smoothies is how customizable and simple they are. It's easy to sub out ingredients to suit dietary needs or personal tastes. Plus, if you make a mistake or accidentally add too much or too little of something, it's an easy fix. In this recipe, for example, you can substitute a banana, soymilk or even avocado if you don't like yogurt to up the creaminess factor.

I went with a fresh berry smoothie because mid-spring is peak strawberry season. Sometimes too much fresh fruit can make a smoothie lose some of its thickness, while adding ice can water it down. My solution was to use fresh strawberries but frozen raspberries and blueberries. Frozen fruit is often cheaper, lasts longer and tastes just as good blended up in a smoothie. Feel free to use whatever fruit you have on hand. Lastly, I know that smoothies, like most desserts and snacks, depend a lot on personal preference. I liked the tart flavor of this smoothie, but adding a teaspoon or so of honey to sweeten it up is a great idea for anyone who needs a little more sweetness, be it in life or in their smoothies.

In the coming weeks as the temperature climbs, enjoy the warm weather while sipping on a fresh, cold and flavorful berry smoothie. Stay tuned next week for something on the less healthy but equally delicious side of the spectrum!

Ingredients (Serves 1-2, depending on hunger):
•3/4 cup fresh strawberries, sliced into halves
•3/4cup frozen raspberries
•1/2 cup frozen blueberries
•2/3 cup Greek yogurt, any flavor
•2/3-3/4 cup of orange juice (or any liquid you'd like to add)

Instructions:
1.Wash strawberries and slice into halves or quarters. Measure out frozen fruit and yogurt and set aside.
2.In the blender, add the strawberries and raspberries and about 2/3 cup of the juice. Pulse/blend for fifteen-thirty seconds (timing varies on blender speed and strength) until smooth.
3.Add blueberries and yogurt and more liquid if needed or desired. Blend until the mixture is smooth and the yogurt is entirely incorporated. Taste and add honey if desired.
4.Pour into glass and enjoy!