There’ s no better way to start a summer day…
Man oh man was this morning’s Green Monster good!
Guess where this kale came from?
Just my veggie garden, that’s all. No big deal. ;) I’ve clearly advanced from a Black Thumb to a Brown Thumb.
Milli Vanilli Green Monster
Ingredients:
- ~ 1 cup kale
- Handful spinach
- 1.25 cups almond milk
- 1 tbsp Vega Vanilla Almondilla Shake & Go Protein Powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1 frozen banana
- 4 frozen mango chunks
- Handful blueberries
- 4-5 strawberries
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 ice cubes
This was absolutely delicious. And it rekindled my love for Vega Vanilla Almondilla Shake & Go! I go through protein powder phases all the time. For a while I was in love with the Vega Choc-o-lot Shake & Go and then I got sick of it. Now, I ‘m using this one and also Vega Smoothie Infusion (120 kcals and 14 grams protein per serving). This Vanilla Almondilla has 11 grams of protein per serving. You can click the picture below to enlarge.
So back to that crazy kale!
Major growth has been going down over the past couple weeks. It’s crazy that I’ve only had my garden planted for just 5 weeks now.
Kale, May 23, 2011:
Kale, June 29, 2011:
I’ve started harvesting kale this week. I can’t get over how fresh and crisp the leaves are. They also aren’t as bitter as I’m used to.
The bell pepper plants seem to be getting ready for a little pepper sprouting action!! So cute.
I HAVE PEAS!
“When the pea pods are swollen (appear round) they are ready to be picked. Pick a few pods every day or two near harvest time to determine when the peas are at the proper stage for eating. Peas are of the best quality when they are fully expanded but immature, before they become hard and starchy. Peas should be picked immediately before cooking because their quality, especially sweetness (like that of sweet corn), deteriorates rapidly.” [Source]
The two cucumber plants continue to grow like weeds…
See the little yellow flowers?
The first yellow flowers appearing on the plants are male flowers that provide pollen. These flowers normally drop off after blooming. The small cucumber is evident at the base of the female flower (even before it opens) and should develop into an edible fruit if properly pollinated. Anything that interferes with pollination of the female flowers reduces fruit set and yield, including cold temperatures and rainy weather that hamper bee activity or improper use of insecticides that kill bees. [Source] <—That would explain why there are so many bees around my garden!
The romaine is HUGE. I’m going to make a Caesar Salad tonight!
Onions! (Apparently I planted these way too close together)
An animal dug up one of my tomato plants and it died. :( My other two tomato plants were also disturbed, but they seem to be bouncing back with a little TLC.
In conclusion, I have no idea what the heck I’m doing and somehow it’s working out. :)
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By the way, I have 108 recipes entered and counting!
That green monster does look really good. I never thought of using kale in green monsters – I always use spinach. I guess I’ll have to give it a try next time!
PS – I’m making your Edamame Pasta for dinner tonight! :-)
less is more with kale in a GM and I always make sure to make it a bit more sweet than I normally would with spinach to balance out the taste. :)
I’m so jealous of your garden! I would love to have one. Do you think lettuce would grow in a planter on a window sill? Maybe I’ll go try that…
BTW, The green monster looks delicious! I’ve seen a few versions online but yours has the most fruit I’ve ever seen in it. I like that a lot!
I always amp up the fruit when using kale…makes it taste great!
Amazing veggies from your garden! Does the kale taste any different from kale you buy?
It’s fresher and a bit less bitter :)
I am so jealous of your garden! I wish that I had the space to grow fresh vegetables. I might tr my hand at some herbs and see how that goes :)
AH so exciting!! It’s my dream one day to eat my own grown produce :) Look how vibrant it made that green monster! :)
Congrats on the successful garden – it’s BEAUTIFUL!
It’s a gorgeous garden – I never would’ve believe it wasn’t planted by an expert! I’m looking forward to a time when I have the land space for my own garden!
What an awesome garden! Keep up the whatever it is you’re doing…wish I could run to my backyard and pick out some greens like you! Maybe next year :)
LOL!!! i’m so happy your for your garden! it looks gorgeous!! wishing i would have planted something now!
I was JUST looking at all the different powders and trying to figure out the best to get. I have looked at the vega many times but opted for the sun warrior (I think vega had stevia maybe and that made me decide on the other). I want to try it though – got a little packet to try. Feels like a commitment when you order as the containers are large and expensive! I also am trying the amazing grass chocolate infusion (again had trouble deciding b/w the protein one and the other – too many options!!!!). Hoping my kids like the chocolate – we just got a vitamix and the amount of veggies and fruit my kids are eating has tripled! Thanks for all you do!
Ive been wanting to try Sun Warrior but thought there was stevia in it (Im not a fan of the taste). The Vega powders I mentioned above don’t list stevia as an ingredient. :) Yes there are too many options sometimes!
Our kale is doing really well too! I’ve been picking a big handful of leaves almost every day to add to my smoothies, and love how it’s not bitter at all.
The garden is looking great! See, your black thumb is changing. :)
Ha, that’s a great thing about gardening! For the most part if you just plant them and let nature run its course, most of it will turn out! I’m jealous that you’re growing your own kale!!! I haven’t seen any around me!
I agree- I think nature has its ‘system’ pretty down pat! lol.
BTW – your garden is gorgeous—I am doing one at a friends house and hope to have my own next year. It is a learning curve for sure :-) You are a good learner
That’s so cool that you are growing veggies at your friends place! What a great idea.
WOW Ange! I’m more than impressed! Everything looks amazing and you’re right -that lettuce is huge! How nice to enjoy a green monster made with your own kale! I tried the Vega Tropical Tango Shake-n-Go yesterday and thought it was ok, but the vanilla Whole Food Health Optimizer still reigns superior in my books! Have a great day and enjoy your caesar salad tonight!
I’m so jealous of your veggie garden, I only have a window to work with! :(
That protein powder looks yummy, I love the combination of vanilla and almond. One of my favourite ways to flavour overnight oats and yoghurt is with a couple of drops of both of these extracts.
Aw that’s so awesome that you can harvest your own Green Monsters! And I’d LOVE to have romaine growing like that in my backyard :)
Your garden looks precious Angela! Congrats! I can’t wait to have my own place to have my own garden. All I can manage are my own herbs AND that makes me happy!
That is awesome! The romaine looks kind of different than I’m used to…fresher and crisper. Can’t wait to grow my own food some day!
I’m very impressed with your lettuce! I can’t get a decent head of lettuce to grow for the life of me! You can always head back out and get a replacement tomato plant. It might be a little late to bloom but you’ll still have plenty of time harvest if you plant it now.
Your garden looks fantastic! Mine is not making it through the Phoenix heat. There is nothing better than the pride of your own veggies in food :)
You give me hope that I may be able to have a veggie garden some day! Looking fantastic.