I haven’t had a kale smoothie in a bowl in a while. It gives a bit more oomph over spinach! But kale requires chocolate to balance out the green!
Enter Vega Choc-a-lot powder, mixed with the very last of my Vanilla Chai!
I just love this stuff in smoothies – will be buying more vanilla chai! I love it for its flavor, texture and protein boost, but of course I don’t think you need this stuff to be healthy. (It took me 3/4 of a year to go through this tub – very much worth it to me!)
The Mix
Makes TWO smoothies
- 3 cups washed kale, stems removed
- 1 banana
- 1.5 cups milk
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1 scoop each Vanilla Chai and Choc-A-Lot
Toppings: Toasted buckwheat, Rosie’s Best granola, coconut, brazil nut buttah
Thank you all so much for your outpour of comments about Karen. She said she was so touched reading through them <3
Can we discuss this creepy stink bug that is haunting me?
Talk about a surprise when he crawled down!
Agenda
- Laundry
- Pack
- Cycle
- Write
- Pack
- Pack
xoxo
Jil @ Big, City, Lil Kitchen says
The SIAB sounds lovely – that stink bug however…eww!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
That bug would not have lasted long enough to take a picture. He would have been shooed out! Yuck.
Just yesterday a spider crawled across my keyboard at work and I think I jumped 50 feet in the air!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Ugh I HATE stinkbugs. They are still everywhere here!
Krissy @ Make It Naked says
Ha! I read this post title as “Kath Requires Chocolate!”
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I did too!!! 🙂
Jennifer says
Re: Karen — My MIL went through the same type of cancer a few years ago. It is very traumatic, but very beatable. She is doing very well right now. She’ll need your assistance to eat the proper foods while going through treatment. Good thing you are quite capable of doing that!
I’m so sorry. You share so much of Karen here, and she seems like such a lovely lady. Hang in there. Hugs and prayers.
Amanda says
Careful with those stinkbugs…. they can take over homes in the hundreds! Here is an article from the NY times http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27stinkbug.html?_r=1 and some info on my blog at work http://massnrc.org/pests/blog/2010/09/the-scoop-on-stink-bugs.html
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
Whoa, I’ve never even heard of stinkbugs!
Samantha says
Have you read about the difference of raw vs. cooked kale? I had a cert. nutritionist tell me to always cook it? I can’t remember why….do you know?
Kath says
It’s likely a bioavailability thing. Variety is king. I eat it both ways.
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
I’m laughing at your ‘to do list’, as it reminds me of mine…
Work
Last minute grocery shopping
Clean
Bake
Clean
Wrap presents
CLEAN
CLEAN
Christmas is at our house this year for half of the family, but I still have to prepare for Christmas brunch elsewhere with T’s family – and then come home and cook and prepare for my parents coming over for Christmas dinner. Eeeee.
I need to just relax and enjoy my time (ha) at work today, because come 6pm tonight, I am going to be busy straight through til Christmas evening. Whew.
I *hate* those bugs (we call them ‘prehistoric bugs’, because, well, we’re weird)! They take over and embed themselves all in the mosquito netting that hangs from our gazebo. Every fall I have to pick them out with stick, before the netting goes into the garage for the winter. Yuck.
~
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I can’t say I’ve ever tried a kale SIAB but now you’ve got me curious! I’ve got a similar list of things to do as well – not too excited to start the packing part because I loathe packing!
Liz says
Ugh, I hateeeeeeeee stinkbugs!!! You’d think they would go hibernate or something with the cold!
Leslie says
Love the pics of Karen from the party-so glad she had such a great time singing and could enjoy herself! I had to scroll down to read what her news was and just wanted to send some thoughts your way. This is the third piece of cancer news I’ve heard this week, and sitting here at my computer with tears in my eyes I’m realizing that whether it’s two of my closest friends or your MIL, my reaction is the same-sadness then anger each time I hear of cancer rearing its ugly head again. I feel helpless too, so I will do what I can and pray that the surgery goes well, that the cancer has not spread, that Karen will be healed and have a full recovery. Please keep us posted with any info that Karen is willing to share. She seems like a strong and amazing woman. You guys are lucky to have her and she to have you as well!
(And if anyone who reads this would lift up prayers and good thoughts for my friends Karen and Celeste I’d appreciate it too! )
Amanda (Eating Up) says
So much packing! Good luck!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
And don’t pack up any bugs! 😉
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
I have that vega product sample but need to try it! You make me ready to fire up the Vita and make a green smoothie!
Bugs. They used to freak me out. But not so much anymore..haha.
Vanessa says
Eww I hate those bugs!! They are always everywhere!!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i will say that i do NOT miss stink bugs…we had them everywhere in texas growing up, but it’s too dry to have a lot of them here in colorado! thank goodness…
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
I sure love spinach in smoothies but have yet to move to kale. I’m hesitant on this one, but you make it sound delightful.
Balanced Healthy Life says
Eww, I hate bugs in the house. At our last house we would get tons of black widows. They are not fun to have around. We would have to spray our entry way all the time to make sure they didn’t come in.
Erin @ Big Girl Feats says
I love the contrast colors between the red tablecloth and the green smoothie – I loved me some color wheel in middle school!
I was catching up on old comments and read the post about Karen’s news. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last month (not the same as Karen’s, of course) and even though it is the “best” kind of cancer to have in terms of cure rate and prognosis, it is still scary as anything to hear that kind diagnosis. In a way, I can empathize with you all. I had a similar situation where they wouldn’t know what kind of cancer/if it had spread until the surgery. Luckily it only spread to one lymph node outside of the thyroid and I’m having follow up radiation next month to make sure the cancer cells are gone. I’m thinking about you and your family and Karen and sending good, healing thoughts your way! It was actually cancer that reminded me how lucky I am to have health, love, family and the ability to treat my body with respect and good veggies 🙂
Kath says
Hugs to you Erin – best of luck going forward
Erin @ Big Girl Feats says
Thanks Kath! 🙂 Big hugs and best of luck to Karen too!
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
Ugghhh! I hate those stink bugs! I just found one in the crack between my car door! Alive! How did that sucker not get smooshed to death, I’ll never know!
Enjoy your family time, Kath 🙂
Stephanie says
Sorry to hear about Karen 🙁
I know you live in VA now, but I received this Raleigh-Durham Living Social deal in my e-mail yesterday and thought you might be interested–it’s for a weekend at the Marsh Harbour Inn on Bald Head Island. Maybe you saw it already?
http://escapes.livingsocial.com/deals/15945-carolina-coastal-calm?msdc_id=45&ref=CHADeal122210_21_4924email
P.S. It’s always a great day to be a Wildcat!
Kath says
You’re the 4th person to send that to me 🙂 I’ve slept in that bed!!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Ew, if I saw that bug I would probably run outside until it was gone 🙂
Camille says
Wait, where are you going this time? Is this the GH trip?
Anyways, have fun!
Kath says
Home for the holidays plus our annual Bald Head 3-day post-Christmas extravaganza
Alaina says
EW ew ew, stink bug. I hate seeing bugs that are as big as my thumb.
Doesn’t everything require chocolate?? 🙂
Allison @ PickyEatingRD says
I loveee the VEGA products? I met them at FNCE a few years ago and they have the nicest staff working to promote there products. Their employees truely believe in what they have created and it shows!
Cyclist Kate says
I tweeted you but don’t really know how twitter works–if you see my @KathEats if you don’t follow me?
Anyway, if you go to audible.com/hulu, they’re running a promo where you get two free audio books, and they download quickly.
My recent favorites are Glass Castle, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Three Junes, The Hunger Games…
Kath says
I didn’t see your tweet but I should have?
Darn – I just missed that offer because I signed up for Audible already. Thanks for the head’s up though!
nancy says
We’ve had 2 cancer diagnoses during the holidays over the past couple of years (husband and mother). In some ways that makes the holidays more meaningful. Enjoy being together and savor some precious family time. From experience I can say that excellent nutrition is going to be critical in Karen’s recovery and follow up treatment. You and Matt will be a gift and a blessing to her every time you help her give her body what it needs. You might have to get creative some days but if anyone can do it, it’s you guys.
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Stink bugs….stink! Haha! I hate those little buggers!
Anna @ ciaotochow says
Oh my goodness – kill that bug! Please! It’s freaking me out and I’m not even in the same room as you! One time last year, a spider suddenly appeared on my laptop keyboard and crawled INTO my laptop. Let’s just say that for the next hour or two, I was absolutely terrified to type. But eventually his disgustingly little creepy body appeared and I smushed him! 🙂
Elina (Healthy and Sane) says
I love green smoothies but can’t do kale in them. Baby spinach all the way. I must be a wimp 😉
Chocolate would definitely help though!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
My house is haunted by stink bugs- they’re everywhere!! So gross. Hope you have a great day!
Natalia - a side of simple says
Good for you for opting for a green smoothie as opposed to a breakfast of cookie dough. If you add milk, a bowl of cookie dough is acceptable…right? 😉
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That SIAB looks so good! Love the combo 🙂
Dee says
SIAB! I love them so much!
And whoa – I think I would have screamed if a stink bug suddenly appeared. But – I am deathly afraid of bugs so it doesn’t take much! 😛
Kori says
I must make a kale smoothie sooooonnn!!! 🙂
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Greens and chocolate- a balanced diet!
Ann @ Day by Day says
Such a creative combination! Always something new to try.
I’m sorry for your mother in law but will say a prayer for her! Looks like you all had a great time last night at the party. Packing to go home is always a chore I like because the result is well worth it!
Amber K says
I love green monsters with spinach, but have found that no amount of other items could make the bitter taste of kale go away.
Nicole (soundztastee) says
This title had me very intrigued! I was thinking chocolate covered kale chips for some reason?
Namaste Gurl says
I love me some kale smoothies– just made a super yummy one with avocado and coconut the other day! 🙂
Jess @ atasteofconfidence says
Good luck with your agenda- i hate packing!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Yuck, I’m glad we don’t have bugs like that here! At least… I think we don’t! I’m going to have to keep my eye out for them now. 😛
Quisha says
Ahhhhhhhhhh I hate those stink bugs. They haunt me as well and it really scares me 🙁
Heidi - apples under my bed says
mmm frozen cherries in the smoothie sound delicious!
Heidi xo
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
that is such a GORGEOUS smoothe in a bowl! yum!
Hannah says
Oh gosh, I’m really struggling with the decision of whether to buy a vitamix or not, and posts like these make it harder! Really a bit out of my budget, but does it really make sense to spend still 400 on a less good blender, and not just go the whole hog and get the best one that will last?!
(just musing to myself… :P)
Thealogian says
Regarding the vega products–does the body absorb those proteins as well as whey or soy? I love Amazing Meal protein powders which have all kinds of goodness in them, like vega, but this nutritionist I know said that the body doesn’t absorb rice or hemp or other “alternative” protein powders as well as whey or soy, hence you’re not getting the grams on the label. Now, she’s been out of school longer than you, so maybe her suspicions are based on OLD research?!? Could this be “hippy-punching?” or is it a legitimate concern? Thanks for any info you might have!
Kath says
I do think there is some true to whey and soy protein being more bioavailable, but I am not up to speed on the research. I don’t think it a reason, however, to NOT eat plant-based proteins.