STRAWBERRY COCONUT SMOOTHIE with a LIL BEET


Baaaaaabes. How are you. How is your month going. How are you sleeping. What are you eating. Why am I not putting question marks at the end of these questions. In today's post I am gonna give you a quick lil run down of what's been up with me. Then I'll talk about the recipe for a sec. Then I promise I will go. I SWEAR. 

After a long period of what felt like a necessary hibernation, I have emerged from the cavernous recesses of my emotive existence in a refreshed and renewed state. I feel capable, grown, confident and energized to continue manifesting the life I know I desire and deserve. (Can you tell I haven't stopped listening to Oprah's Super Soul podcast. Still no question marks.) I am SO SUPPORTED by my amazing friends. Bless our hearts for the femme softness we provide and embody for one another.

I came out to my nuclear family as trans and non-binary. They are attempting to respect my pronouns (mom is winning so far, but lil bro is being really good about the whole thing too) and I am relieved to know they still love and accept me for who I am, regardless of how I identify. This should be the case for us all, but I know too well that it's often the exception.

I am ready to move into a new apartment. I am pretty over living with other people and know that I need a space entirely for me. Call me selfish, but I'm just over here recognizing my boundaries, respecting them, and no matter what: I need a lot of alone time. I am getting back into a steady schedule of work/play. For several months I knew I needed more rest than anything else, especially while I was beginning my journey of recovery from ED, but my body and spirit are telling me that that time is coming to an end. What is giving me life right now is balancing a work routine with a pleasure routine. "Pleasure routine" sounds pretty sexy but that just means stuff that makes me happy and isn't directly related to my job. Examples include: bike rides, dancing with friends, cuddles with new cuties, travel, art, meditation, taking care of my houseplant fam, and listening to music.

I am beginning to date again. It's off to a slow start, but in fact this is ideal. I am not looking for anything serious at this time; I simply want to meet fellow queers and make out a bit, ya know? I am getting to know my body and gender from a wholly new perspective and it's exciting, complicated, and insightful. EVERYTHING IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE!! 

Music recommendations for this week:
- I will stop myself here because I could just. keep. going. and I am not convinced anyone is interested in my music suggestions. Please do inform me on your thoughts about this. 

Moving on to the recipe. I made this quick after the gym today (yes, I am back at the gym after taking a long break because of a variety of factors including gender dysphoria. Now I am feeling strong and ready for those weights thanks to a trans-friendly training program from Decolonizing Fitness! Do check them out!) It tastes so yummy and looked so cute I had to share on the blog here. It features one of my fave vegan proteins, Nuzest. The colour comes from strawberries and beets, which are both super high in antioxidants and can help prevent and fight cancer/free radical damage. There's banana in here for creaminess, zucchini for fibre and bulk, and lemon juice for a bit of tangy zest. As always, you're free to adapt this recipe as you want for your palate. We are all different and that is what makes us beautiful. 

Much love. Talk soon.
em

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STRAWBERRY COCONUT SMOOTHIE with a LIL BEET
Serves 1-2

1 sliced, frozen banana
3/4 cup frozen strawberries
1/4 cup chopped, frozen zucchini 
1-3 tablespoons chopped, frozen beet
1 cup coconut milk
Water, as needed
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
1-2 scoops Nuzest Clean Lean Protein (Coffee Coconut + MCTs flavour)

Blend everything together until smooth and thick, like a fruity milkshake. If it's too thick for your blender to handle, add extra coconut milk or water. Adjust according to taste: you can add extra ingredients or some sweetener. I sprinkled chia seeds on top of mine for some texture and contrast.