Almond Joy Smoothie

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Some music for the day (although all I've been listening to since we flew out of town on April 3rd is Daniel Caesar's Freudianalbum, NONSTOP plus this new Leon Bridges Song "Bad Bad News" I likeeee but ...I don't think I've shared this other song yet that I was obsessed with for some time): Sa-Roc Forever

We just got back home! After nearly two whole weeks of traveling (Vegas, NY, and even Austin, TX was thrown into the mix), I can't express how nice it's been for me to be back in Boston snuggling next to Christopher, my cat, and typing near my big open windows. Traveling is exhilarating and I want more of it, but it's true that I do feel like I have most of my resources here in Boston, and I can cook or bake or take a photo at a moment's notice. I don't take that for granted. Cookbook touring and promotion has been it's own full time job, and while I don't want anything to slow down because it's all so exciting, it's nice to be asked to sit for a bit here and share some recipes since it's been awhile. I'm happy to share some stories below of all my travels, but while we talk, I want to set you up with this yummy smoothie recipe first.

This is a sponsored post by WelleCo and I was completely inspired by A Beautiful Plate's Almond Joy Smoothie (I wish my smoothie looked half as gorgeous though!). The thought came to me that the typical banana + chocolate smoothie combos aren't exciting as concoctions inspired by entire candy bars, so I jumped on the bandwagon and did it with a scooping from my hefty supply of WelleCo's chocolate version of their Super Elixir Nourishing Protein. I have loved their products so far, and their chocolate protein powder is so smooth and luscious but not too sweet that I am happy to recommend them. The base is made with brown rice and pea protein.

Here's how to make it:

Makes 1 serving 

For the rim:

  • 1 scoop of Super Elixir Nourishing Protein Powder

  • about 1-2 tbsp melted coconut oil

  • toasted almonds and coconut flakes, finely ground

For the Smoothie

  • ½ cup reduced fat canned coconut milk (be sure to get the some of the thick cream)

  • ½ cup plant-based milk

  • 4 pitted medjool dates (make sure they're soft)

  • 1 scoop Super Elixir Nourishing Protein Powder

  • 2 heaping tbsp. almond butter

  • ¼ cup toasted coconut chips

  • 1/4 cup crushed ice (optional)

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In a blender, combine all the ingredients for the smoothie except the ice and blend until creamy. Add the ice, and blend until chilled. Pour into the chilled glass, top with more coconut flakes, if you like, and serve.

In a small bowl (about the size of the glass' rim), mix the Super Elixir Nourishing Protein Powder with just enough melted virgin coconut oil to turn it into the consistency of melted chocolate--you may not need all the oil.Dip the rim of the glass into the mixture, and then directly into a pile of the toasted and crushed almonds + coconut flakes. Pop the glass into the freezer right side up until it hardens, about ten minutes. I also tried one version of dripping the chocolate on the inside of the glasses as well before freezing. 

(Exhibit A)

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Travels with Women: There has been a burning fire (a good one. an intense one.) around women and women's work this year, it feels like the momentum is only growing. I feel lucky that I keep getting asked to be apart of some of the conversations that are happening now, although I've never considered myself a spokesperson for women's rights in the past, just a spokesperson for my own desires.I just made it back from a weekend in NYC for Jubilee, the annual Cherrybombe-hosted women in/and food event that turned out to be everything and more than I expected. Still buzzing from the high of that if I'm honest. I loved every second of connecting and chatting (too much remote work can make a girl go cray). There was so much energy, so much support, so much power and presence in one small space, and then OMG I had some of the best ice cream toppings EVER from Milk+Honey--I don't even know what was in that but Yum! So, I selfied with Nigella Lawson, signed cookbooks next to Ruth Reichl, and heard Kim Severson battle it out on stage with Jen Agg--really uncomfortable stuff actually, AND those weren't even the speakers who made my hair stand up. Luckily it wasn't the first time that week I got to be surrounded by some super inspiring female chefs doing their thing. I was also invited down to Austin, TX for a couple of days to do a Conversation Series with William Sonoma and 5 other women in the food industry. We talked food (obviously) and challenges, shared our perspectives, and ate food (obviously)! I'll be sharing some photos on my Facebook page in a couple days, so if you want to check out some visuals be sure to follow along there!

About music:

One of the producers and screenwriters on the one shoot asked me, why, in a conversation about women and female inspiration, I spoke about Jay-Z's music. Maybe when you talk about uplifting women, the last thing people want to hear is a man's name in the mix, and it's probably more shocking when it's the name of a man who has admitted to disrespecting one of the most respected women out there. I get it, but I also disagree. One, we don't need to shit on men and think vengefully about them to come out on top--that mentality comes from such a limited place. There is enough for everyone, and we are not separate unless we believe that we are. I just read a meme that said something like "Speak with the confidence of a white male at a lecture who gets up to ask a question that is really just a 5 minute speech about his own greatness"..something like that...and I think that's brilliant. We can learn from the confidence of men, the way they believe in themselves without hesitation and celebrate themselves without guilt. TWO, yes, I am inspired by his music because of his confidence and realness, but also because, as a woman I notice that we don't have enough female rappers that build us up, that help us sing affirmations of abundance to ourselves--all these grandiose songs are all in the voice of men.  Queue link up top for a new female rap song (hard to find for me). This song had me flying high most of March. Until we have more female rappers talking about coming out on top, or just women in general celebrating their own greatness, I will continue to turn to all sources (especially music) to channel that free feeling.Like this Buzzfeed Article today: https://www.buzzfeed.com/tomiobaro/5-women-in-publishing-talk-about-why-books-about-race-and?utm_term=.ao0NWwKp0#.eaWvw7PEy