Going Green

Once I got off the treadmill mid-workout to eat a Starburst. Yeah. That was two days ago. And after that low point in my exercising career which I am going to blame purely on pregnancy, I decided to turn over a new leaf. A green leaf. Called spinach.

It all started over the summer when my mom introduced me and Eli to the Green Smoothie. She ever so methodically made these spinach smoothies disguised with fruit each week just before I arrived to mow the lawn. "Here Sarah," she'd tempt, "have a smoothie before you go out." Gah! I'd smell it and quickly tell her I'd already eaten breakfast.

When I'd come back inside from mowing the lawn she'd tell me tales of Eli scarfing down the green slush, begging for more. Yeah right. I'd think. Eli doesn't eat vegetables to save his life.

Once my lawn mowing days ended, I was spared the weekly persuasion from my mother to down the green slime. Until Jeff came home from work last week telling me all about this awesome idea someone told him at work to put vegetables in a smoothie. Not again.

I decided to humble myself and support my husband in his ambition to be a healthier eater. I bought frozen fruit and extra spinach during my last (tantrum free) trip to Wal-Mart. Then I came home and cringed as I made one of those dreaded smoothies for me and Eli for lunch.

Much to my surprise, the smoothie was delicious! I put in blueberries, strawberries, bananas, apple juice and just enough spinach to not even be able to taste it but to turn Eli's clothes green wherever he spills. I seriously couldn't even sleep last night because I was so excited to have another smoothie for breakfast this morning.

I really do think some of it goes in his mouth.

So there you have it. Our conversion to vegetables in a blender. Of course, we've only done this twice so far, but it gets Eli (and me) to eat vegetables, so I think the green smoothie will be around our house for the long haul. Here's to a healthier, greener 2012!