The thought that I wasn't eating as many servings of vegetables as recommended by the Food Guide (the idea of which is a whole 'nother topic!) and a chance remark by a woman that she put vegetables into her morning smoothie for her and her child led me a few months back to start adding vegetables to my breakfast smoothie.
It has turned into an ongoing, expanding adventure.
Pictured is what went into the smoothie a day or so ago.
There are raisins and raw oats in the blender under the coleslaw; that is homemade yogurt with the pineapple slices; there are frozen blueberries, two kinds of frozen mixed vegetables and a handful of sprouts harvested from what was growing in jars on the counter that day. In the spice jars are turmeric, cumin and garam masala. Each smoothie is different because the amount and variety of vegetables and spices change. The milk, pineapple, yogurt, raisins, blueberries, coleslaw are standard because they have already shown health benefits like improved digestion and disappearance of arthritis.
The addition of vegetables and spices have brought about several things: I now get two glasses with each smoothie using the same amount of milk so I drink the full one and eat the less full one at supper when it has thickened somewhat.
I found after the first few days that the morning smoothie satisfied my hunger and I did not want the usual bagel or muffin or toast so stopped having them; I also discovered that I did not want anything to eat until lunch time.
Adding cocoa and cherries gives a black forest flavour. Experimenting with different spices (including things like sprouted mustard seed and fennel and caraway etc.) pleases the palate and assists in the choice of food the body needs.
I have tried nuts and seeds and will continue to experiment. The thought of adding things like leftover chicken or fish does not appeal to me - I prefer to eat them on their own: the intent is not to mush food but to add it for convenience.
Physically I feel it is a benefit and psychologically as well.
Comments
4 responses to “Meals – in a drink.”
Karen, you have my unequivocal admiration. Fran
Morning Fran
Chuckling and wondering why…..
It’s a relatively rare person who can not only think way outside of the box, but is also transparent enough to share it……foregoing defensiveness for wonder. That is what I admire about what you are doing.
Personally, I am looking at things as being valuable for general adaptability, which is not the whole purpose of the exercise, I realise. Anyway, I am thinking that you are inviting feedback and dialogue, am I right?? Otherwise the “comments” column would read “compliments,” and that would might curtail two-way communication to a great extent.
The subject of smoothies is funny for me, because my sister and I tried once on vacation to have one big whopper every morning. She was very enthusiastic. I tried very hard. Finally, I said, “How come everything tastes good on it’s own, but tastes like s— thrown together??” So we both decided we like things separately.
My one nod to smoothies is to emulsify spirolina powder (known as pond scum) in a blender with orange juice and frozen cranberries. I can speak with authority that that combination increases your energy level, and it’s not hard to drink.
I know that all the vegetable you are getting is very beneficial and alkalizing. So carry on if you can; thumbs up!! Fran
Hello Fran
Now your comment makes sense – I appreciate your sharing the ‘story’ behind it – and I enjoy humour whenever it appears: you and your sister in the ‘duelling smoothie caper’. Neat. I was curious about what I had done to merit your admiration and the explanation tickled not only my mind but my elbow as well – um, isn’t that where the funny bone resides?
And yes – I welcome and value feedback/dialogue – rich communication.
Will check into spirolina!