lifesaver

for some reason or another (could've been my very recent birthday and the extension of the annual shenanigans? or the highly anticipated return of this reason for copious beer consumption?), this weekend was a doozy. without even really trying to, i partied with the gusto of a woman ten years my younger. raucous times with friends, ballgames, quality time with my fella: all were so, super fun, but i felt hella worse for the wear come this morning.

my idea of a "hangover cure" is usually coffee and some steely resolve. however, this morning i realized, while pawing around aimlessly through our fridge, that we had all the makings for one of my favorite breakfasts - and, coincidental nutrition-bombs - of all time.


kale smoothies! i was first introduced to the idea of raw kale pulverized with other, more traditional, smoothie ingredients by the wonderfully weird folks at the satellite cafe in my old stomping grounds of west philadelphia. i can't be sure, but i think their kale smoothie involves pineapple juice, kale, coconut milk and some other stuff. my at-home version was a bit different, but that is the beauty of smoothies, right? you can just throw whatever produce you've got into a blender, give that thing a whirl, and out comes a delicious breakfast beverage!

let's not front: it is the kale that saves your life. without it, you've just got some pulverized fruit and juice, which certainly does a world of good for your aching body as opposed to a jelly donut or whatever. but it's the beta carotein, vitamin and calcium packed green that somehow makes you feel like a million bucks (well, a thousand, maybe) when you woke up feeling like a piece of gum stuck to someone's shoe.

The Lifesaver
~takes 5 minutes
~makes 1 large, or 2 small smoothies

ingredients:
1 cup of kale, tough stems removed and torn into small pieces
1/2 cup plain low fat or soy yogurt
1 ripe banana
1 handful of grapes
3/4 cup orange, mango or pineapple juice
1 tablespoon ground flax seed (optional)

- slice the banana into pieces. put into a blender, or into a tumbler that can handle an immersion blender.

- add the yogurt, kale and grapes.

- pour the juice on top, and blend. add a bit more liquid if needed.

- to really kick your hangover's ass, stir in 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed after blending. but if that's like, too much effort for your weary bones, just chug that smoothie and wait for the rush of well-being to kick in.

the kale smoothie in its natural habitat

so, even though i pick my poison...at least i've got the antidote, right?

love,
emily