Nailed salad in a jar 2 days.  Cutting up the spinach and the pre-shredded carrots into smaller pieces, too.  but . . . .

BONUS:  I DECIDED TO MAKE TODAY’S SMALLER PORTION INTO A SMOOTHIE, ADDING BLUEBERRIES, FROZEN AVOCADO, ALMOND MILK, WATER AND PROTEIN POWDER – SHAZAM! TASTES WONDERFUL, PROBABLY THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER CONCOCTED, THOUGH I WOULD SUB OUT THE OLIVE OIL FOR FLAX SEED OIL IN THE FUTURE ‘ (i have flaxseed meal for smoothies, ‘cuz peanut butter energy balls, but flax seed oil in this would be really good).

feeling absolutely yummified. 

Simple treasure.

I didn’t really know this is what the Swiss had on us and I am sorry it took me so long to try it, but thanks to Trader Joe’s I am on it, better late than never.   Best new breakfast staple: a 1/4 C. with about 4 oz almond milk prepped in a jar the night before soaks up to supersized in the morning.  I am sprinkling hemp hearts, chia seeds, flaxseed meal on top.  Honey is sweet indulgence. Keeping cartons of almond milk and packages of Muesli on the shelves for ease.

I have been on the fence about juicing too long.  And now I’m not!

The conundrum for me was prep, mess, volume, cost, waste. I didn’t want to spend that much money on something I could chew or prepare simply otherwise for less, like an apple or celery or cucumber.  And I didn’t want to waste individual serving size plastics.

Well, I am done with that. My empty nest experience has left me to my own devices for mealtime, suppertime, snacktime, too.  I reduced my trips to the store last year while my son was away at school.  I purchased way less dairy, relying more on staples that I could refill once or twice a month, bubbly water, almond milk, fresh veggies or fruits were all I needed to supplement frozen fruits or veggies, protein powder for smoothies, pasta or other meals I could prepare.

I kept a juicer in the house for months, years, and finally donated it to Goodwill. I didn’t even have room in the kitchen for it.  It was about the sixth juicer I tried to incorporate into my life.  As a stay at home mom, I did make carrot juice and learned to use the pulp to make sandwiches, but that practice was 19 years ago.

But truly, having access to a juice bar for me is my kinda “kid in a candy shop” trip.  Today’s the third day since my membership and I fawn over the menu like:  “charcoal detox shot,” yes, please, and “vegan, lemon, dried organic blueberries, flax seeds, lemon zest and maple syrup soaked overnight oats,” yes thank you!    Have I made coconut milk chia seed pudding on my own?  Yes.  Is it easier that it lands in my hand like magic?  Yes.  On demand blueberries!  Lemon! Yes, Charcoal Detox Shot!

I am so lucky to have this within walking distance.  It may be long overdue, but I am going to enjoy the end of this summer and into my birthday month with fresh juices, with top notch quality and ease.  Am I consuming more plastic? Yes, I confess, but it is more recyclable than the styrofoam that I accept sometimes with the chili dog and fries order to go (gasp).  It will recycle.  🙂 Thank you again, @PressedJuicery for the membership program that came to my attention and the savings offered for me to shift my grocery budget to you!

Me.  Also Me. 

Mama Bears need snacks too!

296 days as an #EmptyNester, and I am nailing snack time!

Second semester I slacked to Jack tacos.  Summer school, I’m hitting the mark.

Peanut Butter Energy Bite, sans flax seeds, added golden raisins, applesauce, coconut.

Great Balls!

I think I have created my most perfect food, meal, slaw, salad dish ever! Thanks to Trader Joe’s shredded carrots, which I cut up with scissors a little smaller bite size, golden raisins and walnuts, and my bottles at hand of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, which I love to dole out little spoonfuls at a time, marinating some inexpensive cut up cabbage.  it’s a perfect win for the money, the time, the nutrition, the sweet, the clean! Absolutely in love with this and can not stop me now! ;o) xo (Okay, so I have green apples at home I could cut up into it, too!  this just keeps getting better!  Started with the carrots alone, then volumized to the cabbage . . . next the apples) . . . . . i’m dancing and singing . . . blessed be walnuts for the longevity of my brain and health of skin, nails and hair – – –