A sure thing about life is that you never know what might happen next.
And so, suddenly, I have found myself juggling the final month of classes for my masters degree with a shiny new full time job. The situation is equal parts overwhelming and amazing, and the job, I am in love with more than I thought was possible.
The thing is, as with many new jobs, this one is starting on a temporary contract, and I'm terrified it might go away. I know that all I can do is my best and see what happens, and I know that life is unpredictable. I also know that this month of May, while I finish up classes and be my most dazzling self at work, is going to be a bonkers kind of busy. I hope you'll understand my somewhat sporadic presence here for the next little while.
To take the pressure off myself a little bit, I thought I'd throw this out there: does anyone fancy guest curating What's Good Around The Web? It basically entails finding five food, nutrition, or health related articles and sending me the links along with a short intro blurb and possibly a photo. If you're interested, send me an email and we can discuss the details. I think it would be fun to see what someone else comes up with!
Smoothies are perfect for busy times (segue!). They usually involve very little prep, and not much more effort than throwing ingredients into a blender and letting them whirl around for a bit. This is the kind of smoothie that does double duty as a nutritious breakfast or the kind of afternoon snack that can trick you into thinking you've had a sweet treat when you're eyeing up the cookie jar.
There is a nice blast of protein, lots of potassium, and super foods coming your way in the form of oats, chia seeds, and cocoa nibs. The cocoa nibs give the smoothie an intense chocolately flavour, and the sweetness comes from a frozen banana. It's refreshing, filling, and soul satisfying. I hope you like it.
One year ago: Milk and Honey Pudding and Mostly Whole Wheat No-Knead Pizza Dough
Chocolate Banana Bread Smoothie Recipe:
I like to soak the chia seeds and oats for at least 10 minutes to soften them up and reduce grittiness - enough of that comes from the cocoa nibs. If you're organized you can soak them overnight and have your smoothie in the morning but if you're making your smoothie on the fly like me, a quick soak will do the trick. Don't add the cocoa nibs ahead of time, and don't make the smoothie a lot in advance of when you plan on drinking it. The cocoa nibs will become very bitter tasting over time.
Serves 1
.
1 cup cold water
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon rolled oats
1 tablespoon cocoa nibs
1 large banana, preferably frozen
½ cup low fat Greek yoghurt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
.
Combine water, chia seeds, and oats and let them soak for 10 minutes, or longer if you have time. Add all other ingredients, and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
Bananas are a great source of concentrated energy and potassium. They are also a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and manganese.
Chia seeds are a concentrated source of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), are rich in dietary fiber. They are also an excellent source of essential minerals such as phosphorous, manganese, calcium, sodium and potassium.
Raw Cocoa Nibs are antioxidant rich, and the flavanoid content appears to be helpful in protecting blood vessel linings and thus preventing high blood pressure.
All text and photos © The Muffin Myth 2013
susaslounge says
Sounds totally awesome, thank you! 🙂
Jess says
Congrats on the job, Katie! It's always so nice to hear someone say that they love their job - I'll cross my fingers that it sticks around! PS. I saw this smoothie on the front page of foodgawker this morning and thought...mmm, that looks good - WAIT! I know that tile!
themuffinmyth says
Thanks Jess! I *really* hope it turns into a permanent thing as well. I always love when I can recognize someone's photo on foodgawker before I click over the link to see the post. I've surely recognized a few of yours as well!
Kathryn says
Congratulations on the new job! That's such good news and I'm crossing everything that it becomes permanent soon especially as you already love it!
themuffinmyth says
Thanks Kathryn! In Sweden they cross fingers when not being truthful, and hold thumbs for luck. So I'm holding my thumbs like crazy!
Megan says
I had finals on Monday, and I expertly avoided them by cooking, a smoothie probably would have been a better choice. It looks great!
themuffinmyth says
Thanks Megan! I hope your finals went well 🙂
Megan says
Ugh, don't ask that.
kellie@foodoglow says
This smoothie sounds so good! I am sitting here with a fairly empty tummy so I shouldn't be reading this really. And congratulations on the job! I thought you had been a bit quiet, and i was on the verge of DMing you to see if you were okay. But it sounds like things are more than okay with you. Good luck with your final papers. I know you have been so dedicated in your studies and now it is all paying off. You are a fabulous ambassador for nutrition and healthy living. PS I would volunteer for WGATW but it's my daughter's 17th this weekend and we are up to our ears in festivities. Woo hoo!
themuffinmyth says
Thanks Kellie! The job is, funnily enough, not in the field, but does draw a fair amount on my background knowledge in food. More details to come if it becomes a permanent thing! If this weekend is busy, how about next weekend? Or the one after? I know you'd be a great curator!