Confession: I’ve Got a Thing for Smoothies.

Do you like smoothies? Because I like smoothies. No, I love smoothies. In fact I’m that girl who keeps bags and bags of frozen fruit galore in her freezer. Am I planning for an Acai berry shortage? What if there’s a disturbance in the importation of mangoes? My motto is to be prepared. See also: two gallons of milk at all times because WHAT IF?

In all seriousness, smoothies can be good for you. I mean, sometimes I do use blueberries, a banana, skim milk, flax seed oil and give a fist pump to a day’s worth of superiority complex thanks to antioxidants. Then there are the days when I throw chocolate of all textures into my smoothie elite and next thing you know, my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard (and damn right, it’s better than yours).

One of my favorites involves tofu. And, right there, yes, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking of that little x at the top of your screen because why on earth would anyone voluntarily put tofu into something and then put that something into her mouth? How incredibly vile. But you would be wrong because it is delicious.

Tofu Berry Shake

(courtesy of the Student’s Vegetarian Cookbook)

• 1 can (6 oz.) pineapple juice
• 1 ripe banana
• ½ cup silken tofu (I swear you won’t even know it’s in there as tofu takes the taste of whatever it’s mixed with. No, I am not lying to you. Stop making that face.)
• ½ to 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• ½ tsp. vanilla (I have never used vanilla for this recipe so, you know, do as you wish.)
• 1 to 2 tbsp. sugar or maple syrup (Again, I modified this recipe to add in either agave or two little packets of stevia.)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and purée until smooth. You’ll be so, so happy you did.

Fruit and Yogurt Shake
(courtesy of whatever’s in my freezer)

• berries
• 1 banana
• Greek yogurt
• About a cup of milk to assist with the smoothing process
• Maybe some protein powder (See above, regarding superiority complex.)

Directions

I use an individual sized smoothie maker (like this) so I just dump the ingredients in, hit the button, listen to NPR, and then it’s done.

Chocolate Shake

• ½ chocolate silken tofu (Yes, that is a real thing, look in your grocery store right by the bagged carrots.)
• ½ cup chocolate slow-churned ice cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp. protein powder (This shake is what I imbibe post-workout, hence the protein.)

Directions

Mix together, stretch out your quads and rub your belly because ain’t no way in Hell that a human being is meant to do that many sit-ups, and it’s ready.

Do you have any smoothie or shake favorites? Because I’ve got a basket full of bananas that are begging to be puréed.

Heather Barmore writes about the hodgepodge of her life at No Pasa Nada and about politics at Poliogue: The Art of Political Dialogue. She started her personal blog as an early twenty-something with no idea of what she wanted to do in life. She is now a late twenty-something with the same problem! (Who knew?!) She started Poliogue because she loves politics more than anyone you’ve ever met and wanted to share that love (or obsession) with anyone and everyone. She now lives in her hometown of Albany, NY where she works in politics while writing (or as she says, ‘creatively whining’) on the side. You can read more from Heather on her blog, No Pasa Nada.