Yesterday, June 20, was the longest day of the year for sunshine, the summer solstice. A good time to sit on the back porch overlooking the west and milk the last seconds of sunlight from the sky! It was smooth and relaxing.
The Vernon Parish Journal staff was talking about smoothies when watching the sun go down, and how popular they are all over. Remember, a frozen daiquiri is just an adult smoothie, right?
A smoothie is created by pureeing ingredients in a blender and spinning away. You can start with fruit juice or milk and whatever else makes your taste buds happy. Milk today can mean oat, almond, soy, or whatever dairy substitute you can handle. I am kinda’ old-fashioned here; I like real moo-cow milk! Health food stores on the West Coast started making them when the electric blender was invented. The guru behind the Smoothie King chain started in the 60’s with Jamba Juice stores. That has morphed into a big business with stores near every American college campus and then some. Ft. Johnson has a Smoothie King!
A smoothie can be nutritional or just plain fun, or both! That is your choice. The editor of the VPJ is a smoothie queen. It seems to work for her breakfast, given the fact she drives thirty minutes to work in the morning. It also fits the decorum of the office she works in. She is an almond milk/sweetener/ice/fruit gal. I tried to expand her horizons with a note to Santa about a pack of ready-to-blend smoothies from the Pacific Northwest for Christmas last year. In the pack were six totally different blends of fruits, seeds, nuts, and healthy stuff–just mix with OJ or your favorite milk/substitute. We kept them frozen, and with very little fuss and a whirr in the Ninja, we created healthy smoothie bliss. SHE LIKED THEM!!
In other cultures, you will find “smoothie-like” drinks. Lassi from India is crushed ice, yogurt, sugar and mango. In the middle east and Mediterranean, a fruit sharbat is yogurt with honey and fruit. If it makes you feel healthy, it’s good for you, right? Smoothies are a great way to wean yourself off unhealthy foods and start eating better. The Weight Watchers program has advocated that for years.
I like my smoothies rich, thick, and not so good for you; think milkshakes. I will occasionally have one that is “good for you”. Smoothies and summertime do seem to go hand in hand. They are cool, refreshing, and portable.
If you missed the longest day of the year, you have to settle for tonight: a little less daylight on the back porch and an ice-cold smoothie to make Friday go down easy. Happy Weekend! Tell your neighbor to come over and have one with you soon!