![Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie -- only 4 ingredients! [Vegan, gluten-free + clean-eating friendly] | by Foods for the Soul {amyshealthybaking.com}](https://amyshealthybaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/smaller-IMG_1698-edited-labeled-copy.jpeg)
The School District agreed to enact a “Late Day” policy just before I entered 3rd grade. Enough parents grumbled about the morning drop-off in bumper-to-bumper traffic (my school sat in the middle of a business park) and enough teachers complained about students arriving late to class that the School Board designated Wednesdays—“Hump Days”—as the official Late Day.
So once a week, kids and their parents slept in an extra hour, while teachers still came to campus at the normal time to sneak in an extra meeting or two. But I didn’t really realize the perks of starting at 9 am until I reached junior high.
![Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie -- only 4 ingredients! [Vegan, gluten-free + clean-eating friendly] | by Foods for the Soul {amyshealthybaking.com}](https://amyshealthybaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/smaller-IMG_1653-edited-copy.jpeg)
I was a band geek (as I’ve mentioned before!), so I showed up at 7 am for A Period so I could fit in my extra concert class during the day. 7 am! By the time my friends woke up, I had already run the mile or kicked around a soccer ball or shot hoops outside. (And I can assure you that football was not fun in the winter!)
But on Wednesdays, I came to campus at 9 am with everyone else—a whole 2 hours later!
Hallelujah.
![Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie -- only 4 ingredients! [Vegan, gluten-free + clean-eating friendly] | by Foods for the Soul {amyshealthybaking.com}](https://amyshealthybaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/smaller-IMG_1685-edited-copy.jpeg)
Eventually, one of my classmates came up with the brilliant idea to stop by Jamba Juice in the business park nearby and walk the remaining ¼-mile to school with a smoothie in hand. That craze caught on quickly, and by 8 am on every Wednesday, the Jamba Juice line stretched out the door and around the corner!
While I originally ordered their Razzmatazz, I later switched over to other strawberry-flavored smoothies. They offered lots—at least 16 different ones!—all sweet and sugary like any kid would love.
![Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie -- only 4 ingredients! [Vegan, gluten-free + clean-eating friendly] | by Foods for the Soul {amyshealthybaking.com}](https://amyshealthybaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/smaller-IMG_1673-edited-copy.jpeg)
I still occasionally splurge on Jamba Juice, but after purchasing a fancy new blender last spring, that doesn’t happen quite so often! I slurped up smoothies all summer long (see here, here, and here), and I happily finished out the season with this Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie.
![Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie -- only 4 ingredients! [Vegan, gluten-free + clean-eating friendly] | by Foods for the Soul {amyshealthybaking.com}](https://amyshealthybaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/smaller-IMG_1666-edited-copy.jpeg)
To make the smoothie, you’ll need frozen strawberries because they thicken the drink, whereas fresh contain too much moisture and turn it watery. Adjust the ice and milk to fit your tastes—I like mine thick!—and add your favorite sweetener if the pineapple is too tart.
![Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie -- only 4 ingredients! [Vegan, gluten-free + clean-eating friendly] | by Foods for the Soul {amyshealthybaking.com}](https://amyshealthybaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/smaller-IMG_1692-edited-copy.jpeg)
Despite autumn rapidly approaching, I’ll still sip on this Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie as long as the sun is shining!
![Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie -- only 4 ingredients! [Vegan, gluten-free + clean-eating friendly] | by Foods for the Soul {amyshealthybaking.com}](https://amyshealthybaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/smaller-IMG_1681-edited-copy.jpeg)
Packed full of fruit, this is a smoothie you can feel good about drinking! Adjust the thickness and sweetness to your tastes.
- Place all of the ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Drink immediately!
Notes: Use more ice for a thicker smoothie and less for a thinner consistency.
For a vegan version, substitute your favorite soy, rice, or almond milk.
These look way better than Jamba juices! Not to mention healthier 😉 I love the color too, it’s so pretty!
Have a great week, Amy! x
Thank you Consuelo! Even Jamba Juice’s “Make It Light” smoothies still have tons of sugar — the Nutrition Information scared me!
Late Day?!?! Unheard of!!! I sooooo wish my kids’ school would do that – early mornings are not my favorite. But maybe a smoothie like this one would make my mornings just a little bit better! I love smoothies … they are a favorite! (And so are rice krispie treats! :D)
You definitely need to talk to your school district! Late Wednesdays were what got me (and my mom) through the week, especially when teachers started piling on the homework and I had to stay up late to finish it all. I agree — smoothies are so fun and easy to make!
Ooh, this smoothie looks fantastic! The perfect drink to say goodbye to summer!
Thank you! That’s definitely true, although it’s going to stay summery where I live for another month. Temperatures don’t drop until Halloween!
I worked at a smoothie shop for nearly two years, and when I left that job I just HAD to buy myself a fancy blender!! Now I make all my smoothies at home. I am weird, and I don’t trust other people making my stuff like that. I need to know exactly what’s in my smoothie hahaha! This one looks delicious, they ALL do!
I don’t blame you Brittany! I started looking at the ingredients and Nutrition Information of Jamba Juice’s smoothies, and they all contain lots of sugary fruit juice. No wonder they tasted so good! Do you still make smoothies during the fall and winter?
We had the same thing, but we hit up Stacks, a breakfast place. That place was insane on Wednesdays!! I love Jamba, and these smoothies!
Thanks Dorothy! A breakfast place sounds even better to me, especially if I could order waffles or cinnamon rolls! (I can never make those at home or I’ll eat the whole batch…)
Looks so delicious and simple! Love it!
Shared on a page I admin today, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=412878428812542&set=a.405869092846809.1073741826.405855869514798&type=1&theater
That’s so sweet of you, thank you!! 🙂
I just made this and added bananas, it was great! My daughter who hates anything healthy loved it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kelly! I love your addition of banana; I’ll definitely have to try that. And that’s the biggest compliment coming from your daughter! 🙂
Sounds like a brilliant recipe 🙂
Is this smoothie thick or is it easy to drink? Thanks 🙂
Thanks Alexia! The smoothie is somewhat thick, but not as thick as a milkshake or other ice cream based drink. It’s still easy to sip through a straw!
This looks delicious! I never go by the ‘smoothie in the summer’ rule. In fact, my smoothie making interest started in the winter! I love trying new recipes, and this will be my breakfast this morning!
I hope you enjoy the smoothie Shenae! That’s wonderful that you make smoothies all year round. It’s a tasty way to sneak in extra fruits and veggies, isn’t it? 🙂
Yeah! That’s the best part – I like them better than ice cream or something and they’re actually good for you!
It’s true! I actually crave roasted Brussels sprouts, steamed broccoli, and crunchy carrots more than ice cream. (Well, most days anyway! 😉 )
I almost agree….they’re a close runner up for me. 🙂