Pineapple mango smoothie and Crab bruschetta with avocado

While we were exploring the winding streets of Venice, Italy, this summer, we came across a small juice and smoothie store... They were offering small samples of delicious sangria and fruit smoothies. My kids were instantly hooked...! Those fruit smoothies tasted like heaven, especially for our hot and tired bodies.... The next day we made the fifteen minute walk just to get some more of that heavenly nectar... We carefully studied the list of ingredients so we could try and reproduce them at home. Our favorite smoothie included mango, pineapple, lemon and mint!!!! D-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!!! Our recreation of the "Brioso" smoothie started with a small container of cut pineapple, a mango, the juice of half a lemon and about five or six mint leaves... Add a cup of ice and blend... Heavenly, I tell you!!!!

While we are talking food, here is another delicious experiment out of our kitchen that we all love.... One day, as I was having a major craving for crab, I decided to try and make some crab and avocado bruschettas... The mixture includes only crab meat, avocado, lemon juice and chopped cilantro (and a dash of salt).... The bread was brushed with olive oil, toasted in the oven and finally rubbed with a clove of garlic... You can add chopped tomato or red pepper, but I wanted to keep it simple... All I can say is I kept going back for more... Truly yummy!!