'Billie Shakespeare's Healthy Garden Smoothie

"Our bodies are our gardens-- our will  are our gardeners." William Shakespeare (or, as I affectionately refer to him: "Billy Shakers")  

It's the new year! Again! I'm pretty sure the last time I posted in this blog consistently it was "the new year" which, of course, is now last year. Ah, the best laid plans...

At any rate, although I try to believe that every day is a fresh start, the idea of a brand new year can be very inspiring. It's a chance to put all the bull shit of last year behind us, start fresh and make changes.
That said, I didn't make any resolutions this year. Not because I don't believe in resolutions, but because I think we should train ourselves to make resolutions and changes throughout the year, not just at the beginning of it. Still, I was feeling pretty 'resolutioney' the last couple days, when all of a sudden two things hit me:
1. I love smoothies
2. I have a brand new Ninja 1200.
oh and also 3. I love vegetables (especially in smoothies)
Okay, it was more than two things. It was a pretty inspired revelation, but I didn't say it made me good at counting.

So yea, I decided to start making (and consuming) "green" smoothies.

If you aren't familiar, a green smoothie is a smoothie with lots of vegetables, that usually winds up looking very questionable, but tasting delicious. The idea is that when you mix up lots of raw vegetables with raw fruit, it masks the taste. But I find, the vegetables themselves taste good. Once you get used to it.
I used to make smoothies all the time, but with yogurt. But for this smoothie, I wanted to "super fucking healthy" approach, which means: no sugar, no yogurt, no anything except raw veggies and fruits.

...
But, I told myself I would probably cave and add sugar, just so I wasn't dissapointed later on. Au contra ire silly mind of self. This smoothie is completely delish, and like, the healthiest thing you will ever eat. I promise. Make it, and that Shakespeare guy? He was pretty smart. Our bodies really kind of are our gardens. If we take care of them, they take care of us.

Here's to a healthy and inspired 2013.

Good Food for Better Times Stew

Someday, perhaps I will develop a little bit of follow-through.
My inability to finish things I start is a huge downfall. Anyway, I suppose I should just keep trying, so here we are again.

My life has changed so much since I was last on this little blog, that I can't even really believe it. I live in St. Louis now, which is a huge foodie city, and completely awesome, and, although I cook more, I like it less, because it's such a necessity now that I live on my own and am flat broke. That's no excuse though! So, as I prepare to ring in the new year, I will also try to update this more. No resolutions, just an honest attempt.

Now that winter is finally starting to show it's ugly face, I want to cook more and more. My crock pot is my best friend, and I buy so many potatoes it should probably be illegal.

Beef stew is the ultimate peasant food: warm, cheap, versatile and a little goes a long ways. So, although I feel ridiculous typing up a recipe for it, I did, because Beef Stew is one of those things that makes you feel like everything is probably going to be alright. The ultimate comfort food.
Lately it seems like everybody is so worried about money, and jobs, and success, and happiness. Sometimes its good to remind yourself that things can be simple, and still be wonderful.
As good 'ol Thoreau said:
"However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things to do not change, we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts."
To paraphrase: don't trouble yourself about expensive food, make some delicious stew. Stew doesn't change, we change.