I love you. I hate you.

You’re beautiful! You’re nasty.

You make me feel so good inside! You make me want to vomit.

This teeter totter of emotions perfectly describes a relationship that I have struggled with for many years. But after all these years, I’ve finally made the decision that it’s time to change. I’m ready to let go of the negativity and put in the effort to make this relationship work.

My name is Heather Allen, and I have a love/hate relationship with smoothies.

I love the fact that when time is tight, you can jam a whole lot of nutritious goodness into a blender and make a complete meal. I also love how resourceful it can be to toss a bunch of whatever is in the fridge into the blender, mask it with some frozen berries and you’re on your way out the door with your cute nutrient packed mason jar. I especially like the fact that sometimes you magically whip up a combination so indulgently delicious, that not even the fattiest fatty fat, sugar filled milkshakes could compare. 

But here’s what gets my panties in a knot about these convenient and nutrient dense little buggers. I don’t dig it when my blueberry/kale combo turns an awkward hue of mud and I feel like I’m sipping on a glass of sludge. As a visual eater, it takes my salivary glands to the Sahara which is no bueno for your digestion. Also, as a full-time practicing foodie, I’m not a huge fan of the fact that drinking a well rounded protein, carb and fat filled smoothie, robs me of the experience of sitting down and enjoying an actual meal. Now maybe I’m being be a little bit harsh towards our little mug meals, but self admittedly, I’m no wiz with the blender and I’ve been wronged by them far too many times.

I get adventurous and try a new combo = Mud

I try to be an extra awesome Nutritionist and toss in one too many teaspoons of spirulina/chlorella = Fish tank soup

I get a little excited and add in one too many superfood powders = Paste

So here’s the tricky pickle about my disdain for smoothies: my clients LOVE them. And for good reason. One of the main complaints I hear in my office is that people just don’t have enough time to eat healthy. And since smoothies are so quick & convenient, it’s a great way to help them stay on track to reaching their goals. So in order to supply my clients with kick-ass recipes to help fuel their success, I’ve decided to strap on my big girl panties and make peace with my blender. I’ve made it my personal mission to change the fact that I am not a smoothie connoisseur, because if there’s once piece of advice I live by, it’s that sometimes you just have to try harder.

This smoothie was my first breakthrough on my journey to becoming a smoothie ninja. I hope you dig it. 

What flavour combo makes you slobber like a fool? Leave me a comment below.

Mango Citrus Twist Smoothie

2015-08-13 12:55:04

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Ingredients

1. 1 Cup Frozen Mango
2. 1 Tbsp Hemp Seeds
3. 1 Handful of fresh Cilantro
4. 1/2 Cup Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
5. 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
6. 3-4 Ice cubes (use more or less to reach desired consistency)
7. 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (I use Fermented Vegan Protein by Genuine Health)
8. 1/2 Tbsp Bee Pollen*

Instructions

1. Toss in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Sip away!

By Heather Allen

Heather Allen http://www.heatherallen.ca/