The “I’m Not Perfect” Time-Out Smoothie

I am not perfect. Surprised? Ha. I bet not. I get overwhelmed and behind and lose my love of prepping and cooking food just like everyone else. Sometimes I even let the overwhelm take me off balance.

Not. This. Time.

Recently, I’ve been incredibly busy. Flat out you might say. It’s mostly great! Teaching and writing and family and friends. Developing some new things for you guys (that are not ready for revealing yet). But among it all I’ve found myself eating out much more than I’d like. All good healthy choices. But still “out” choices. And I think “in” food is almost always just a little healthier.

Still, there are times in life when you can make perfect choices, and times when you can’t. And times when the middle path, the road of least resistance, is just so much less stressful.

So in my two busiest recent weeks, I decided to let myself off the hook. I bought green juices out when I didn’t get the time to make a chia pudding, ordered simple salads and soups when out, and just tried to flow along without sweating the small stuff.

Some things I kept around:

Avocados. Hey, they come in their own little disposable bowl.

Celery, carrots, bell peppers and cucumbers—my favorite filling refreshing snacks.

Bananas. A quick energy boost. A satisfying small meal with a little almond butter.

Cold Pressed Juices. They last at least three days.

Hard boiled eggs. A quick hit of protein that keeps me from hitting up the sugary snacks. Also great to spruce up a simple salad.

Lemons. Quick alkalizing boost. Great in water and on salad.

77% Dark Chocolate. Hey, a girl’s gotta live.

And, when I got a few extra minutes, I made just one delectable smoothie to really indulge my taste buds and tummy and make me slow down and breathe. I took those blender minutes as a work break, and stopped to sip at that thing as if it were the only thing in the world. And then I get back to work.

No, I’m not that mindful in every instance. I also sipped on some boiling soup and seared my palette off. Good reminder to be mindful with food, in a really simple way, eh?!

Anyway, if you are having a cramped week with less than perfect timing and organization, I encourage you to take some middle-path shortcuts. The salad bar at Whole Foods. The juice bar on the corner. The Thai Restaurant with a super fresh green mango salad. And then, when you get a minute, make this smoothie. You won’t be sorry you took the time.

The Superfood Smoothie that Saved Me:

The Smoothie That Saved Me

Ingredients:
2 Cups Water
1/3-1/2 cup raw cashews
¼ large avocado
1 Tablespoon Cacao Powder
1 Medjool Date or 2 Tsp. Maple Syrup
1 tsp. Coconut Oil
Splash Vanilla
Pinch Salt
A few cubes of ice

Optional:
2 tsps or more mesquite, lucuma or maca powder
1 Tbsp. Chia Seeds
Large handful of greens
Stevia to taste

Directions:

Blend and serve.

Yes, it’s one serving.

My favorite combo is with the mesquite powder plus greens. Sweet and malty. If I’m starving and it’s my major meal I’ll use the full ½ cup of cashews. And, if you add the chia seeds, blend well, then let it set in the fridge for 15-30 minutes you’ll find it fluffs up like smoothie mousse. Awesome!

If you want to remind yourself of that Dairy Queen Blizzard of old, blend well, then add some cacao nibs at the last minute on very low speed so they break up a little bit like flecks of chocolate chip. Not that I’ve done this…

 

Happy slurping.

L.