Sometimes, a measured, reasonable pace is not what's required. What's needed, instead, is drastic intervention. Mornings are like this for me, every single day. It takes extraordinary measures to evaporate the fog that's been accumulating in my head all night. Two cups of coffee are my usual poison; however, I'm changing my tune somewhat. Given: I've decided as the family morning riser it's my duty to be the one to work out in the mornings. Also given: my stomach is a barely caged beast in the A.M., demanding nothing less than immediate gratification in my first waking moments lest it reward me with it's other major morning mood, nausea. Impending workout + need for something in my belly asap = smoothie. You can see my logic here, right? Thanks to Smoov-E, creamy drink manufacture has become a snap. Additionally, it's easy to pack a whopper load of nutrition into 8 oz. of smoothie.
I have this other morning habit: I take probiotics, digestive enzymes and a multivitamin, and supplemental fiber in some form. I had the orange flavored citrucel before. What corporate genius decided people who are taking fiber for their health would find a significant dose of aspertame along with it just hunky dory? I did find some unsweetened citrucel (straight up psyllium husk, in actuality) which I dose juice with in the evenings. But I like another source of fiber better: Hemp. Not only does it have a significant dose of the required roughage, ground hemp seeds are also loaded with the all important Omega 3s and many trace minerals. Plus, it is
loaded with protein. This stuff really is health food. The only obstacle you'll encounter with it is palatability. It's not unpleasant in flavor, but the powdery texture leaves something to be desired.
Enter: the smoothie. All of the above issues are easily addressed with a formula Abbey laughingly calls the Health Bomb. My guidelines are not strict (that's how I am with everything); what I made this morning is pretty representative of the idea, and, despite it looking like mud leaning mildly toward purple, it was very tasty. First, the supplements. I dumped two heaping tablespoons (which is about 16 grams of fiber) of hemp in the blender. Looks appetizing, yes? Then I disassembled two probiotic supplements and added that. To ensure a mix on the thin side to compensate for the hemp, which has a thickening effect, I added some almond milk and organic unsweetened grape juice. Finally, the solids: a banana (for the sweetness and the potassium) and a good handful of blueberries (for the anthocyanins and other good stuff). The product was ugly, yes, but actually very good. Abbey, who very sportingly tried some when I exclaimed in surprise, "It tastes good!", observed the almond milk compliments the flavor of the hemp; I agree, it really does. Now my belly is happy, I've added no caffeine to stress out my system so I can go work out, and I've got all the nutrition I need to feed my muscles. Problem happily solved. I'm looking forward to my next one, which judging from an inventory of the freezer will have a strawberry theme.
Sometimes, a measured, reasonable pace is not what's required. What's needed, instead, is drastic intervention. Mornings are like this for me, every single day. It takes extraordinary measures to evaporate the fog that's been accumulating in my head all night. Two cups of coffee are my usual poison; however, I'm changing my tune somewhat. Given: I've decided as the family morning riser it's my duty to be the one to work out in the mornings. Also given: my stomach is a barely caged beast in the A.M., demanding nothing less than immediate gratification in my first waking moments lest it reward me with it's other major morning mood, nausea. Impending workout + need for something in my belly asap = smoothie. You can see my logic here, right? Thanks to Smoov-E, creamy drink manufacture has become a snap. Additionally, it's easy to pack a whopper load of nutrition into 8 oz. of smoothie.
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