Joy the Baker

This is not a cheeseburger.

This is not bacon.  These are not peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes.

These are not doughnuts nor french fries.

Oooh how I wish these were all of those things.

Instead… this is health.  It’s health that tastes good and makes our bodies feel like they can leap like superheros, with x-ray vision, and super strength.

It’s ok that this smoothie doesn’t taste like chocolate… mostly ok.

I really love going out to eat.  Sure… that’s an easy thing to say.  But I LOVE it!

When you go out to eat there’s French fries!  Blue cheese in your salad!  And bacon that you didn’t have to cook yourself!  It’s absolute magic.  Until the bill comes… that’s just real life.

When I’m home… not at a restaurant… not eating French fries and bacon… I drink a lot of smoothies.

Kale Spinach and Pear Smoothie. Peanut Butter Banana and Oat Milkshake. Super Citrus Smoothie.

Smoothies satisfy my desire to throw things in a blender and trick myself into thinking I’m drinking a milkshake.

Good heavens.  I have a problem.

I realize that this might seem like an odd combination of ingredients for a smoothie.  It is.  It’s the cucumber.  Weird, right!?

Believe it or not, cucumber thickens the smoothie!  It also adds lots of hydration and potassium.  It’s a total secret weapon.

This smoothie has just a hint of sweetness… and it doesn’t take like a big bunch of vegetables.  Strawberry sweet with creamy almond milk, and mellow mellow cucumbers.

Cucumbers add an interesting texture to the smoothie.  It’s slightly more slippery.  Like we added a touch of gelatine to the smoothie.  But!  It’s all natural and just the way that cucumbers work.

English cucumbers (hot house, that is) are the best for this smoothie.  The skin is thin and can be blended smooth.  Cucumbers with thicker skins should probably be peeled.

Deseed the cucumbers.  Chop into big chunks.  Blend with frozen strawberries and cold almond milk.  Add a touch of raw honey.  It’s simple and delicious.