Before I had a child of my own I never understood what the big deal was, why people with children complained about never being able to get things done. Don't babies sleep all the time?
Well. Consider myself appropriately humbled.
The last eight months have been an adventure, to say the least, and gratifying beyond belief. And boy, they have been busy. Since we spoke last, we sold our apartment, packed, moved, unpacked, took our sweet boy back to Canada for the first time, became Swedish citizens, and had our kitchen completely gutted and rebuilt. But most notably, the dewey-eyed milk-drunk newborn pictured in my last post has grown at breakneck speed into a fully-mobile danger-seeking belly-laughing toothy-grinned man on the move.
He is an adventurer, indeed, and so true of heart and untainted by the world. I wish I could bottle this purity and keep coming back to it, like a little vial of smelling salts to waft around from time to time. As a staunch feminist, I feel immense pressure to raise this boy-child into a good person. Even more so in light of shifting political climates.
Never in all the time I imagined myself having a baby did a boy even cross my mind. I wanted a girl, I was having a girl, and that was that. It seems ridiculous now to have even cared. And as this tiny human I have created squirms and wiggles and laughs and bites my shoulder with his razor-sharp little teeth, I can't help thinking that it is me he is here to teach, and not the other way around.
Lately breakfast has been a green smoothie. I want to get a good dose of greens into my body, and I want something of the stick-to-yer-ribs sort, because who knows how the day will play out. A smoothie is the perfect canvas. I pile all sorts of things in, and then tip-toe carrying my heavy high-speed blender into the bathroom, because it is there I can run it with the least likelihood of short-changing myself on nap time.
This one gets its heft from frozen banana and oats. The greens come in the from of spinach, of course, and celery, which I have discovered I can add to almost any smoothie. I like to add a generous tablespoon or so of tahini paste, and if you haven't yet tried tahini in a smoothie I implore you to do so immediately. Cardamom adds punchy flavour - but tread carefully. The magic happens somewhere between ¼ and ½ of a teaspoon. This is the gist of it, and I'll bump it up or down depending on the day. Sometimes a bit of yoghurt or some leftover white beans will go in for extra protein, other days not.
Bananas are a great source of potassium, which is an important mineral for our cardiovascular health. They contain small amounts of fats called sterols, which are structurally similar to cholesterol. Because of this similarity, these sterols can block the absorption of dietary cholesterol, which in turn is beneficial for our blood cholesterol levels. Bananas are also a good source of dietary fiber, including water-soluble pectins, which act to slow the rate at which carbohydrates are digested, which in turn prevents blood sugar spikes. Bananas are also a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and manganese.
One year ago: Tempeh Bolognese
Two years ago: Creamy Cauliflower Pasta Bake
Three years ago: Pumpkin Seed Butter
Four years ago: Whole Wheat Spaghettini with Harissa Roasted Cauliflower
Five years ago: Apple Butter Oat Bars
Six years ago: Winter Market Soup
banana cardamom breakfast shake
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 stalk celery
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a blender.
- Blend on high speed until smooth.
- Enjoy!
Notes
-Optional add-ins for more protein: ½ cup white beans or ½ cup plain yoghurt
-If you don't have a high-speed blender, I really encourage you to soak the oats in water or almond milk for at least 10 minutes before blending
Erika says
Yummmm I was just craving a green smothie this morning but couldn't think of an interesting-enough combination to bring myself to haul out the smoothie (btw, you sneaking your blender into the bathroom to make smoothies is the funniest, most adorable picture)--definitely going to go restock my tahini and try this asap!! Also ugh, cannot get over your newish baby child omgggg. Sounds like such a big but wondrous change!!!!!!!!
Katie Trant says
A big but wondrous change is right! Good to hear from you, Erika.
Jess says
How lovely to check my email and have a post from you - I used to love reading your blog 🙂 great post and I'll have to try the smoothie. I love oats in a smoothie. I usually make a decadent banana-oat-peanut butter-cocoa milkshake which I *think* was inspired by this blog somewhere! Must try adding spinach.
I have an 11 month old and can totally relate. It's so tough, and rewarding, but tough. And I was shocked it doesn't really get easier, at least not consistently. I felt like 6-9 months of age was harder than 3-6 months because my baby had a major sleep regression and was crawling and standing and cruising stupidly early so I spent all day trying to stop him killing himself. He's starting to be able to play by himself a bit more and is steadier and sleeping better, so fingers crossed this is it and I can start getting stuff done again!
Katie Trant says
Hi Jess! I know what you mean, this boy seems hell-bend on seeking danger and trying to get himself hurt or killed. How the human species has survived this long is beyond me! Your banana oat milkshake sounds divine, must get back into that combo as well - and I'm bouncing over to your site for baby food inspiration!