It ain't easy bein' green... Or smooth.

...Lucky for me, I'm rarely either.

It all started with a box of pears, a fruit neither N nor I can muster any enthusiasm for. Typically, my answer for extra fruit is always the same: smoothies.

Ah, the smoothie, modern food's gift to women. Because, let's be honest, sometimes chewing is just too much effort. Once the exclusive territory of fruit, dessert and booze, now it's anything goes! As long as there is kale. Don't forget protein powder, chia seeds, raw, organic almond milk (not ACTUALLY milk), and did I say kale? Kale makes everything better. And, who could say no to sucking all your nutrition down a straw?

 

 

 

Sarcasm aside, I do like smoothies. I also see the allure of the green or thickie smoothies. Kind of. Remember back in elementary school, when you'd pool your loose change to get the weird kid to mix all kinds of foods together on his plate and eat it? There was a reason that was gross. These supposedly high octane, miracle smoothies often get a little too close to that memory for me.

But, back to the allure. The everything-but-the-kitchen-sink smoothie recipes seem to promise some magical nutrition alchemy. Get an entire healthy meal, stave off naughty cravings, fuel beastmode workouts and fit into size four jeans all by sucking down what amounts to lumpy juice, prepared in just minutes in your food processor. It's like we're one step away from The Jetsons, where we receive all our food in pill form. But, that doesn't sound nearly as attractive, does it? We get pleasure from more than just fueling our bodies - there's enjoyment in the mechanical and sensory aspects of food, and throwing it all together kills that for me.

I've tried green smoothies, and they don't leave me feeling superhuman. In fact, I find myself mostly annoyed that there are bits of kale stuck in my teeth. And, being one of those folks naturally blessed with an enjoyment of greens, I think I'll take my kale next to the protein on my plate, not blended with it.

So, what are your thoughts about smoothies? Any favorite recipes? I tend to go with whatever fruit and dairy I have on hand, but I like this basic recipe from Monica at The Yummy Life, as it gives you a good idea of what proportions of stuff to use.

 

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