Lean, Mean Smoothie Machine

Just in case you were wondering, I make really good smoothies. Fruity, cold, healthy smoothies that are far better for you that most of what you will get when you go to a restaurant. Seriously—a smoothie at certain places can be up to 800 calories with over 100 grams of sugar, some of which is added. Ridiculous.

Lately, I've been a convert to the "green smoothie" movement. A handful of spinach or kale in each smoothie adds a ton of nutritional value and little or no taste. Plus, every smoothie ends up my favorite color!

My suggestions on making any smoothies are this:

• Always use fruit you love. If you don't enjoy your base fruits, you won't enjoy your smoothie.
• Add water to help it blend. Juices or yogurt may taste really good but almost always add unnecessary sugar and calories. I will say that a little juice is all right, especially if you have a fresh orange or lemon that really wants to be squeezed.
• Get a good blender. I really like super smooth smoothies, and I am very lucky to work somewhere that has a Blendtec. The one I have at home does not do my tasties justice.
• Bananas. An inexpensive way to add texture and taste to your smoothies. YUMMY.
• If you like it, don't listen to anyone else! I can give you all the suggestions I want..but it's your smoothie.

Now, for a recipe suggestion of sorts:

Green Pineapple Smoothie

• 1 medium banana
• 1 c pineapple
• 1 mango, massacred
• 1 c spinach
• ice and water

BLEND

DRINK

ENJOY

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My Favorite Guac

I love guacamole. I would eat guac by the bucket if society would allow for it, but I know that society is fill with guacamole-hating neanderthals.

Tsk tsk.

On my Whole30, I started making my own guacamole. This stuff doesn't last long—I usually eat it, or it turns brown by the next evening—but usually is the perfect amount for two people.

I almost always cook for one, but, on top of being simple in general, the recipe is easy to double or triple or quintuple. Whole30 party? Okay.

I think I am safe to assume that you're jealous of my mad skills. A note: I usually eyeball my spices, then add more to taste, but I wanted to give approximations for anyone who really likes to use recipes. I respect your recipe use. The cayenne is optional, but I like everything spicy, so I occasionally add extra. You, too, can possess this tasty guacamole in your repertoire. If you dare.

Whole30-Approved Guacamole

2 Servings

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 T lemon juice (approx. 1/4 fresh lemon)
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 dash pepper
• 1 t chili powder
• 1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/4 yellow onion, minced (approx. 2 T)
• 2 T garlic, minced 
• 1/2 roma tomato, diced (approx. 1/4 c.)

Add all ingredients EXCEPT tomato to bowl and mash together until your guacamole is to your preferred consistency. Fold in tomato. Eat.

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The Vanishing Girl...Returns!

I keep getting yelled at to blog about my progress and the recipes that pop out of my brain. Plus, I have this nifty blog all set up, so I wonder why the two have yet to combine.

This post is just a summary of the last year as a vanishing girl, and the next posts will be both about current events and flashbacks to where I have come from.

I turned twenty-five on Sunday. For those of you keeping track, that’s St. Patrick’s day. In other words, I have the best birthday on the face of the planet. And it just keeps getting better. Not only do I keep getting more privileges (I mean, no more young driver fee when I rent a car—bring it on!), but I keep getting healthier and getting to better know who I am.

In 2012, I lost 60 pounds. Crazy. I have to admit, I absolutely love when people ask me if I’ve lost weight and tell me that they didn’t recognize me because 60 pounds is a huge deal. 60 pounds is an eight-year-old boy with and eating problem. 60 pounds is a lot of milestones and confidence and smoothies and vegetables and miles.

Oh em gee—the miles. I can confidently say that I logged a good 800 miles last year. Walking, running, biking, skipping. When you walk everywhere and your work is a mile away, 800 miles is easy. Add to that the running I did...

I also participated in Run for Your Lives, a zombie-infested 5K/obstacle course. IT WAS AWESOME.

This year, I also participated in my first Whole30 (yes, there will be another). The Whole30 was life-changing and helped me realize that I do not need sugar, that I might actually be a little crazier that I thought, and that I might have a gluten allergy.

I also created some of my favorite recipes of all time while on Whole30. Recipes that used whole food, that tasted phenomenal, and that left me feeling great about what I was consuming. Brilliant.

Then, I fit into my goal dress. I fit into my goal dress. And it looks phenomenal.

From now on, I will continue to fight for my health and make good food and slip up a little because I do love cake. I want to take you guys with me, invade your pockets and your keyboards, and hopefully inspire you with my words and my choices and my imperfections.

Ready?