Green Smoothies For All!

Hi friends! Happy HUMP day! (do you know that I went through HALF this day thinking it was Tuesday?! I think my brain is fried…)

This morning I kinda looked like a hobo walking into work– I had my purse, my heavy laptop bag, and this:

My mom’s GIANT Trader Joe’s bag filled with green-smoothie-making supplies!

Included was a Vita-Mix (which was bulky and heavy!!), a half-gallon bag of spinach, 12 oz. of almond milk, 2 frozen bananas, juice of a lemon (with a splash of vanilla included, so I didn’t have to bring the bottle), a few frozen cherries, cinnamon, and a bottle of NuNaturals Stevia.

I was one of the first people in the office this morning, so I immediately got to work! One of my co-workers watched me throw the smoothie together, and she was fascinated by the pretty green color. (she was also impressed by the Vita-Mix tamper– it’s my favorite part of my blender, for sure!!) I used everything I brought, as well as 2 big handfuls of ice–> I like my smoothies to be almost slushie-like! After a quick taste-test, I decided I should probably make the smoothie a little sweeter than I’m used to for the “newbies,” so I added 6 drops of liquid stevia. Upon tasting it again, it was PERFECT!

I passed the smoothie out in little “taster cups,” so that no one would feel bad about tossing it if they didn’t like it!

Fortunately, EVERYONE who tried it liked it! Whew!

I definitely felt like I was putting myself “out there” by doing this, and having everyone enjoy the smoothie was a big relief. The only comment I got was that they’d like a lid for their cups so they didn’t have to see the weird green color! Ha ha. I had contemplated bringing blueberries, to cover up the green color, but then I figured, I might as well go ALL OUT and let them see what they’re drinking! My boss even said he hates spinach, and couldn’t tell it was in there! He said it tasted like a smoothie his parents would make!

Before long, the whole pitcher was devoured:

In fact, I didn’t get as much smoothie as I’m used to!   My boss even came into my office later, wondering if there was any leftovers!!

I feel really lucky that I have open-minded co-workers! Surprising, too, since all but one of them were men– and Midwestern, meat-loving men at that! Just goes to show, you never know what you’re going to like. Even if it is a scary color.

Lunch today was REALLY rushed for me! I haven’t had a chance to layout in the sun this week, and I can see my tan vanishing before my eyes! Noooo! So I did what any desperate girl would do before she’s going to be in TONS of professional pictures– I went to the tanning salon. Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of tanning salons… they scare me. But I was desperate, and I had a few sessions leftover from my wedding last year! So, I used the bed for 7 minutes today. May not sound like a lot, but I’m a wimp and don’t wanna burn!!

Do you guys ever use tanning beds? How do you feel about natural sun? I definitely prefer the latter– I think moderate sun exposure is so good for us, especially for getting a dose of Vitamin D! But I’m not sure about tanning beds… I definitely don’t use them too often because my dermatologist has scared me out of it! (and my mom has already experienced mild cases of skin cancer, so I might be prone to getting it later in life, too!) *gulp*

So there’s no lunch pictures for you today… but I’m pretty sure you can guess what I had!   I did learn one important lesson today: not all liquid stevia is created equal. I forgot my NuNaturals stevia at work, so I had to use the Whole Foods brand of liquid stevia (which my mom had previously bought) in my Cherry Chocolate Pudding this afternoon. I used the usual amount of stevia, tasted the pudding, and… blech. I was AWFUL! Not very sweet, but also with a stevia “aftertaste.” After adding some extra stevia, it was tolerable, but not as good as the pudding I’ve grown accustomed to! (guess I’m spoiled!) My mom and I immediately threw out the “generic” stevia! Never again will we buy THAT!

So for future reference, the only two liquid stevias I recommend are Kal and NuNaturals –> there may be other good ones out there, too, but those are the ones I’ve tried and had good success with! After today’s experience, I’m not sure I’m willing to try another brand now! I can still taste that gross aftertaste… ick.

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After a BUSY workday, I had a brow wax scheduled! Ouch! I forgot how much waxing hurts! But it’s nice having clean eyebrows.   My mom and I ran some fun errands, too– lipstick shopping, new foundation (for her high school reunion this weekend!), and even a bit of clothes shopping! Fun, fun.

By the time we got home, we were STARVING!! Dinner was our new “usual:”

Goat cheese salads!

And 2 organic eggs– fried HARD. (no salmonella for us!) The trick to good eggs, in my opinion, is a pinch of salt while they’re cooking! (I use Pink Himalayan Crystal Salt) Mmmm… so satisfying!

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This day totally took it out of me! I haven’t even had a chance to see my husband yet! (he’s at a movie right now with some friends) I’m sipping on some Natural Calm (the Raspberry Lemon flavor with CALCIUM tastes JUST like liquid Jello!! Don’t ask me why! I actually checked to make sure this drink was vegetarian because the taste was SO similar!)

I have a feeling some dark chocolate is in my near future, too!

By the way, I LOVED hearing how so many of you are “spreading the health” with your friends and co-workers, too! It may not be as drastic as green smoothies (though it sounds like many of you have had success with that, too!), but I think letting people taste new things like refined-sugar-free baked goods or vegan ice creams is a great thing to share! There are SO many healthy options out there that taste JUST AS GOOD, if not BETTER than the processed versions! People need to know, don’t ya think??

Up next, I want to bring some raw macaroons into the office! I’m almost positive those will be a hit!

Alright, I’m off to catch up with my husband! Hope you all have a great night!

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Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite healthy recipe? When I get back into town, I want to break out of my “food rut” and start experimenting in the kitchen again! I know you guys have awesome recipes to share!!

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2. Bringing Back the Green + Giveaway!
3. Talk of the Office
4. Green Eggs and…
5. If I were a RICH girl…