Smoothie Spontaneity!

Every single day I throw citrus, fruits, veggies, greens, and spices into my morning-pick-me-up smoothie, but I was mildly panicked on Sunday when I awoke to discover that I was missing many of those critical ingredients.

I was faced with a decision: don’t eat or improvise. While the former was actually incredibly tempting (until I could make it to the store) I decided that my attachment to a smoothie was also incredibly ridiculous.

I said, “Self, create something new! Be bold, woman!” Into the fridge I dove.

What I concocted out of found ingredients was nothing groundbreaking, I’ll admit. The grander revelation was the release of my morning smoothie ritual when it was necessary to do so. It’s also impressive what you’re capable of when under pressure!

Will I go back to that smoothie? Yes. But now I have a Plan B, a delicious treat to look forward to, and a sense of smoothie versatility.

Ingredients:

1 C. almond milk (unsweetened)

½ C. plain Greek yogurt (can be almond, coconut, or dairy if that’s your jam)

1 large-ish frozen banana

½ C. berries (I used strawberries, blueberries, blackberries that I froze at the end of summer)

1 Medjool date

¼-½ C. cooked quinoa or quinoa flakes

1-2 tbsp. ground flaxseed

1-2 tbsp. cocoa powder

1 tbsp. coconut flakes, plus more for garnish

Splash of water

Splash of vanilla

½ tbsp. cinnamon and/or nutmeg

Dash of pink Himalayan sea salt

Process:

Throw it all in a high-powered blender and crush into a beautifully velvet texture that is neither too think, nor too runny. Start low with your liquids and increase as needed.

Forget the bottomless mimosa brunches-- This is the most luxuriously decedent start to a Sunday and way more satisfying.

-Erin Nichole