Four Seconds and Green Smoothie Muffins
Jul 08, 2025 8:07 pm
Happy (late) Fourth of July to all my American buddies!
We spent the holiday with my extended family at the beach, and it was one of the best beach vacations we've had. The saddest part for me is that we were down two kids (one was working and one is in the summer musical, which premieres this week). Somehow we soldiered on and had fun without them (sorry, kids).
We ate great food, beached our hearts out, saw black bears (plus owls, a couple otters, and an alligator), and went miniature golfing. Here we are with two of our girls and my niece.
(How cool is this? It's a state park outside Outer Banks)
I know I've got a lot of newbies here (welcome!). This newsletter isn't all brags about vacations and baby bears. I also highlight the month's promotions and a favorite recipe.
Since many of you are new, a reminder that my audiobook Four Seconds (an addiction and recovery memoir) is FREE on Spotify Premium. It's my friend's true story of her dive into addiction (which included lost health, lost relationships, a child in foster care, stints in jail, and even involvement with the Mexican drug cartel). Until she picked up the pieces and got her life (plus her daughter and health) back together. You will love this read/listen! You can find it HERE. (And, psst, I would love some reviews if you are so inclined. It's got loads on Amazon, but is new to Spotify.)
The Grey Collection (ends today!) and From the Sky (ends the 31st) both have promos with Kobo.
My Unlikely Heroes series has all-new covers (at least on Amazon; I'm still updating on the other platforms). They are beautiful. If you're into paperbacks, pick up the set!
Also Click: An Upper Middle Grade Mystery will be on sale for $.99 beginning July 14th! Grab it if you haven't. It's great for older tweens, younger teens (or teens who don't need romance in their novels), and grown ups, of course.
This month's recipe is a fun one I call Green Smoothie Muffins.
(Note: Sometimes they come out quite a bit greener than this!)
Green Smoothie Muffins
makes 12 large muffins
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
3 very ripe bananas
8 strawberries
2 C baby spinach
1 1/2 C whole wheat flour (preferably white whole wheat, but the normal kind will work too)
3/4 sugar
1 egg
1/4 C canola oil (or oil of choice; these days I usually do peanut or olive oil)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2-1 C chocolate chips, optional but not optional for my family
Combine bananas, strawberries, and spinach in food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
In a separate blow combine whole wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Then beat in the egg and canola oil. This will leave you with a somewhat crumbly batter. Now add your "green smoothie" and mix.
Mix in chocolate chips if using.
Pour into 12 muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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