Blueberry Smoothie

Not a lot of people know this, but I used to part-time at a smoothie store.

Job description included blending about 14 different kinds of smoothies in 4 sizes, as well as bubble teas, milkshakes, and protein shakes. Add in cookie/ice cream/muffin/candy prep and a 10ft-long line for three hours on a Saturday afternoon and you get a picture of how I might have come home at night.

However, in the middle of fruits and ice flying everywhere and the cash register ringing musical mayhem, I noticed something. I noticed that, as some people ordered, they mentioned something along the lines of: I'm so glad I'm getting a smoothie instead of (pretzel, chips, pizza, etc.).

i.e. smoothie= good, health-conscious treat that's actually tasty. And why not? Smoothies are made with fruits! They're blended right in front of your eyes! What could be wrong with a smoothie?

Well, the bananas and kiwis are fresh. (Trust me- I peeled enough of them at the last minute to know for sure.) Those are great quality frozen berries. That's genuine acai berry juice.

However, almost every fruit is sweetened with sugar syrup. (Strawberries and peaches come in their own.) A tablespoon of turbinado sugar goes into every regular-sized smoothie. Specialty syrups are everywhere.

So, all things considered, the fancy store smoothie probably won't help your waistline...nor your mistaken notions of a healthy menu.

But that's why we can make smoothies....at home!

If you're like me, then you probably tried to make your own smoothie at home and wondered why it doesn't taste like the ones you buy at the mall. Of course the recipes are great, but sugar plays a big part.

I just want to clarify something here: I don't want anyone to start protesting or suing any smoothie stores. And I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking a homemade smoothie is healthy just because it's blended at home.

However, a homemade smoothie can be really great, because you control what goes into it. Like it really thick and cold? Add more ice. Love anything citrus? Blend some OJ or zest some lemons into it.

As for me? A heaping handful of frozen blueberries...and tofu.

There's the tub tofu I grew up on, the noticeably thick, curdled block of soy goodness. For soups, stews, pan-fries, even grills.

This is the silken tofu that's great for smoothies and vegan custards and mousses.You can get it at most farmer's markets and Asian supermarkets.

Do you have to like tofu? No.

Do you have to use tofu in your smoothie? No.

Do you have to trash talk tofu that's going into my smoothie?  Heeeells NAW.

The texture of this tofu is reminiscent of a really thick custard pie or jello.

Which makes me really happy.

But then again you're listening to a major food lover.

So the burning question is: why put tofu in a smoothie? Well, other than the fact that I really love tofu in general, I wanted an ingredient that would double-duty as a thickener and a good source of protein. It has an almost nonexistent flavor that melds well with the stronger flavors of fruits, juices, etc. It's also pretty cheap and readily available where I live.

Keep what's unused of the tofu in its paper container, making sure to cover tightly with plastic wrap. Use within two or three days, if possible. Also, as with any food, toss as soon as it looks, tastes, smells, or just seems funky.

Banana. I love you.

A random sticky note pad I used to jot down the recipe as I made it up. I like you.

Flaxseed is one of the greatest foods from Mother Nature, along with quinoa, Alaskan salmon, figs, cacao, and tomatoes.

It lends a nutty flavor, Omega-3 goodness, fiber, and a pretty speckled look to the smoothie.

I love you, ground flaxseed. I shall buy more of you often.

And of course, blueberries.

I bought tubs of fresh blueberries at the farmer's market as the summer was passing, then froze them. It's a good idea to store one season's fruits to make them last into another season.

Simple. Smart. Yummy.

I topped my smoothie with my favorite cereal. But a normal person like yourself would most likely drink it as is. It's all good.



Blueberry Smoothie

*makes about 12 oz*

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup silken tofu, soft
• 1/2 banana
• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1/4 cup soymilk (or regular milk)
• 1/3 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 5 ice cubes, or about 1/3 cup ice

Directions:

Blend, blend, blend!

Source: my hungry stomach and curious brain