East Meets West Veg

In my last post, I shared that Buddy Jr. is making a lot of progress on the housetraining front. Well, Buddy Jr. is making progress on another front as well. He is getting more used to my Vitamix. (For those of you who don't know, this is like a loud, super powerful, high-speed blender, food processor and so much more) This is really important because the only time he pooped in the house was after I used the Vitamix the first time after his arrival and I wondered if the loud noise literally 'scared the crap out of him.' I kind of think he just had to go, but I was still very cautious the next time I used the Vitamix and he seemed just fine. Now he doesn't even lift his head when I run it. He just keeps on snoozing. This is really good because after a stressful night of squirrels grinding walnut shells in the attic and Buddy Jr. waking me up to go outside (all this adds up to little sleep), I needed a naturally healthy, energizing, and detoxifying breakfast in a hurry. I just used what I had on hand, but it had such a light, refreshing taste that I fell in love with it. I will definitely be making this again.

Ingredients:
1 sprig mint
1 heaping handfull of baby kale
1/2 cucumber (peeled if not organic)
1/2 large avocado or 1 small avocado
1/4 pineapple (with it's juice)
1 orange
1 cup coconut milk (or other nondairy milk)
1/2 cup tart cherry juice (or your favorite juice)

Method:
Blend away! Enjoy! Garnish with fresh mint leaves if so desired.

Throughout my life, there have been many times I eliminated or tried to minimize my processed sugar intake and I've been mostly successful. I find that it makes my body feel better and my mind feel like I am doing something good. However, last fall was a different story.

In late 2012, my dad died unexpectedly and I was deep in grief in a way I never imagined I could be. It seemed to me like an adult shouldn't be so devastated by her dad dying, even if he was young and it was unexpected (though not from unnatural causes). I hardly felt like eating. All I wanted to do was sleep and cry. It's weird that I am willing to admit this because I always try to hide my crying from people and act as if I am fine. I guess admitting it is different than actually breaking down in front of someone. After the initial shock wore off, the whole thing really debilitated me. If I ate something - anything, I considered that a success. And I felt strangely drawn back to my sometimes friend, sometimes foe - sugar. I was craving sugar all the time. I tell people that I was on a vegan ice cream and french fries diet for a while.

So, it's been a few months now. . . They say that grief gets better in time and I honestly did not see how that was possible a few months ago. I wanted to believe it, but I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can tell you that it HAS gotten better. It is still difficult. I still cry almost every day. I still miss my dad. I still think of him all the time. I still think of how things could have been different. But things are getting better. I am awake for more than 8 hours a day! Yay! Little by little, I am starting to enjoy things again. I see a little glimmer of hope on the horizon.

But the nasty sugar addiction I picked up along the way is still hanging on. And I can remember how good it feels to be free from that addiction! I'm not eliminating sugar right now, but I am trying to reduce my dependence on it. As I found myself jonesing for cookies the other day (after indulging myself several days in a row), I decided it was time to try out a healthy alternative. So, working with what I had in the house, I came up with something that combined the sweetness (fruit) I was looking for with a rich taste (from the avocado & coconut milk). Now I know it's not hot out of the oven, but it did help me boost my willpower and I was able to skip the cookies that night!


Ingredients:
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 ripe banana
1/2 large avocado or 1 small avocado
3/4 cup coconut, almond or other non-dairy milk
1/2 cup tart cherry juice - actual juice, not the concentrated kind (or any juice you like)

Method:
Put it all together and blend, adding more juice or non-dairy milk if required for your blender. Enjoy!