Tips for Smooth Smoothie Making

So, one would think that after 21 days of making smoothies every morning I’d have it down to a science. I mean the name in itself suggests a smooth and easy process. How hard can it be?? Throw the ingredients in the Ninja, press a button and it does all the work. Well, for some reason it typically doesn’t work out that way for me.

I’ve decided that maybe I need some written reminders posted by the Ninja to help me out. Maybe the problem is I’m not awake yet. It’s typically one of the first things I do, because I wake-up hungry most of the time (awesome) and need something in my belly ASAP. So that my belly will quit yelling at me, so I can take my vitamins and so that I can drink my green tea. Vitamins and caffeine on an empty stomach are not a good scene. Andddd I can’t have eggs right now thanks to this elimination diet so smoothies it is.

The first roadblock I often hit is getting the ingredients in the blender without making a mess. As in I am really clumsy and somehow spill whatever is supposed to go into the blender all over the kitchen. When it’s blueberries and you are running late for work even better. It’s amazing how those suckers roll under everything, leaving a trail of vibrant purple in their wake and squished blueberries under my feet. Fun times.

The next problem is that when I do manage to finally get everything situated in the blender, I realize I’ve forgotten to put the blade in. I get to dump everything back out that I just worked so hard to get in so that I can put the blade in. As you can imagine that it’s own mini adventure. At this point, I’m ready to call it day.

I continue on, refusing to be daunted and too far in at this point to pull the plug. I breathe a sigh of relief that I am finally ready for the easy part where I press a button and let it go. I flip the switch and it’s making a weird noise and smells like the engine might be burning. Oh right. It’s still on the single serve setting and I’m using a pitcher. Minor adjustment, easy fix and I’m back in business.

The Ninja is finally working now, chewing the blueberries and kale into a frothy mix that I have definitely earned and spraying it out onto the counter and walls. Wait one of those things is not supposed to be happening. Yep, I did it again. I didn’t check to make sure the pitcher lid was closed hence the smoothie murals now decorating the kitchen.

Will I ever learn? Can I ever be trusted to make a smoothie without making a mess? Is there something wrong with me???

Breakfast of Champs

Typically on weekend mornings we have fried eggs and bacon. It is the one meal in my repertoire that I can do without even thinking. I’ve even gotten the technique down of flipping the egg in the pan without breaking the yolk. I find it a bit thrilling.

Sooooo sad face that this fun tradition has been missing from our lives thanks to the elimination diet. I’ve been kinda at a loss for what to do in its place (I mean seriously. There really is no replacement.) so I usually make a smoothie. I tried making quinoa breakfast cereal once and it was no bueno.

This morning I was craving something sweet, feeling ambitious and resourceful so I decided to try it again. The last go round wasn’t sweet at all, and did not hit the spot. I thought adding an apple might help, but I wasn’t sure how to add it in. I decided to go with my favorite new kitchen shortcut–when in doubt, blend it.

One blended apple, quinoa, unsweetened almond milk,a few drops of stevia and cinnamon thrown in the pot to cook and voila. Breakfast is served.

**I want to point out that a crispy piece of bacon crumbled over the top would be the coup de whoa.**