It’s my philosophy that all good wallflowers need to have a good wallflower drink–you know, the kind you can clutch onto desperately at a party when you find that your ability to hold a conversation that is both intelligent and lively in the gesticulation quarter is limited. It’s my crutch, and I’m about to make it yours, too. Unfortunately, like any socially-awkward wallflower, I tend to shy away from the alcoholic beverages. Juices, preferably with a label like Capri-Sun or Hi-C emblazoned on them, are my drink of choice. Of course, even I know that hosting a party featuring only drinks with target consumer base ages two to 7.5 years old is a big no-no, so I had to come up with a solution that would please on all levels. 
My first thought was that it had to be serve-able in a glass. Glass means class, right? Hmm. My second observation was that it needed color. Something that would suggest, Hey! I’m flirty and fun! but minus, you know, the real flirtiness. Fun, though, I can do. My third thought was that it should be a mix. A blend of sorts. That way, I could say it’s a “mixed drink” as I hand it out without actually telling a lie. Sneaky, huh? Finally, it had to be something delicious. Something that would knock people off their stilettos (why are they wearing these to my dingy apartment, anyway?) and have them saying, in their best un-drunk voices, “I want more!” I thought. I looked around the kitchen, scuffed my toes on the linoleum, and thought some more. I reached for the strawberries in the fridge to aid my thinking. My hand was actually closing around a fresh strawberry leaf. And then it hit me. Bingo. And that’s how the strawberry oatmeal smoothie, a la wallflower, was born. 
I’d never really made a smoothie myself before, but I knew the concept, and so I went about throwing things together and praying that nothing would explode. It didn’t, and about 15 minutes later, I had something that would be as big a hit as a grown-up party as at a Chuckie Cheese bonanza for 5-year olds. Let me tell you, this drink was made for the wallflower lifestyle. I now make one for breakfast in the mornings because, believe it or not, it’s no longer acceptable to bring my entire parfait tray with me to classes and/or work and snarfle it down as somebody else is lecturing. Not a very wallflower-esque thing to do, if I say so myself. It’s also a fantastic alternative, as I mentioned before, to the alcoholic drink scene at parties. Whip one of these creamy, foamy smoothies up, and people will be raving about it–and besides the people who come up to ask you for a recipe, you’ll be left entirely alone, and with a delicious drink to boot. So! Intrigue? Mystery? Flavor? Fun? You bet! And I’d better check out now–I’m craving one of these wallflower smoothies, and I think the blender is calling my name. 
Strawberry Oatmeal (And Peanut Butter?!) Smoothie, A La Wallflower Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt
- 6 cubes ice
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 3-4 tablespoons oatmeal
- 1.5 tablespoons chunky peanut butter (if you like it)
Directions:
- Place ice in blender, then add remaining ingredients. Cover blender and pulse “ice crush” about 5-7 times.
- Blend ingredients together under creamy, smooth, and slightly foamy, or about 15 seconds. For more of a foamy texture, blend a few seconds longer.
- Adjust honey and/or oatmeal as desired. Also, you can add a few sliced strawberries at the end and blend for only a few seconds to get that chunkier texture.
- Serve in a glass, and enjoy!
Update: I just tried making this smoothie with chunky peanut butter as a post-workout protein boost, and I just have to say–It. Was. Amazing! I would definitely recommend trying it–it adds such a delectable texture and hint of peanut butter, and reminds me of when I was five eating pre-packed lunches my mom made for me.
