There’ s no better way to start a summer day…
![IMG_8292 IMG_8292](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8292.jpg)
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.
![IMG_8294 IMG_8294](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8294.jpg)
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
![IMG_8302 IMG_8302](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8302.jpg)
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.
![IMG_8305 IMG_8305](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8305_thumb.jpg)
So back to that crazy kale!
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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:
![IMG_6100 IMG_6100](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_6100.jpg)
Kale, June 29, 2011:
![IMG_8180 IMG_8180](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8180.jpg)
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.
![IMG_8182 IMG_8182](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8182.jpg)
The bell pepper plants seem to be getting ready for a little pepper sprouting action!! So cute.
![IMG_8179 IMG_8179](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8179.jpg)
I HAVE PEAS!
![IMG_8187 IMG_8187](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8187.jpg)
“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]
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The two cucumber plants continue to grow like weeds…
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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!
![IMG_8193 IMG_8193](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8193.jpg)
![IMG_8198 IMG_8198](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8198.jpg)
Onions! (Apparently I planted these way too close together)
![IMG_8200 IMG_8200](/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_8200.jpg)
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’s the exact same approach I take with gardening too! Love it :)
you win some you lose some…not just a gardening motto but life motto perhaps!
Holy moly, your garden looks great! I want to come over and munch on all the goodness!
Can’t wait to see all the recipes that will come!
You definitely have a green thumb!
Too bad your tomato plant died, but I bet the bunny had a nice snack ;)
Congrats on your brown thumb! (I can definitely sympathize with black-thumb syndrome, although it looks like you’re leaving me in the dust!) Your garden looks so scrumptious. I had a good chuckle over the name of your GM– “Milli Vanilli.” ha! Love it.
Oooh, I love hearing about your garden success. Maybe I’ll actually plant next summer. I don’t even know what I would do if I had kale on hand whenever I wanted it!! The romaine looks gorgeous. yum!
Wow! Your garden is GORGEOUS! The only thing I’ve been successful at so far is my tomato plants! I have 3 growing like CrAzY! I planted swiss chard, but it isn’t looking to hot right now… My basil was doing really well, fingers crossed it bounces back!
Your kale looks great! And so does that romaine! and those peas!
Your garden is super impressive, nice job! I would love to start one, but I don’t have the space right now. I have a little basil and strawberry plant and well as one bell pepper (fingers crossed). Congratulations though, this is so exciting!
I have to tell you that I have been jealous of your garden since day one, but now that I have seen the beautiful stuff coming out of it I am even more jealous. I have been toying with the idea of starting one of my own and now I know I have to.
Way to go! Ah you make me want to garden… which is probably a very, very dangerous thing. Maybe next year.
I would declare that thumb bright GREEN! Looks great:)
Awesome!! You guys must have nicer weather than we do here, because my garden is growing SO slowly… :(
Looking forward to the Caersar salad recipe!
I heard that a lot of things are delayed out west this year due to the weather. :( boo! sending good growth vibes your way. :)
Looking at your garden photos has me sitting here with a huge grin on my face. I just love home grown produce. Can’t wait to have my own garden !
Get ready for a TON of cucumbers! I planted 3 plants for my mom and she says that she gets at least 4 a day now. One day she even had 15 ready for picking. I suggest lots and lots of refrigerator pickles.
The romaine lettuce looks AMAZING! I can’t wait to plant a garden one day!
Well done! I’m very jealous that you are eating stuff out of your garden already. BC has been too cold and my lettuce still has not grown :( However, my peas are in good shape and my upside down tomato plant is looking promising. I left my 2 kale plants to go to seed, and hope they will start some new plants. For someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, you’re have some great beginners luck. Nice!
Yaaay! Your garden looks amazing! That smoothie must have tasted extra good :D
I find kale when it’s super fresh isn’t as bitter. I love it when it’s super fresh :) I’m so jealous of your peas, we love them so much but something started eating ours so they’re a little behind. Plus it’s been so cold in BC :(
What a BEAUTIFUL garden. I live in New York City and am so jealous of anyone who has a backyard/ can grow things. I have some measly basil and mint plants. :( Gorgeous green photos!
I need to try one of these green monsters!
Any good recipe for a newbie?
I have a virgin green monster recipe on www.greenmonstermovement.com :) Also, my classic green monster go to recipe is on my recipes page under breakfast at the top of the list!
Where did you get that wonderfully wide straw for smoothies? I have been searching for a reusable smoothie straw and have been unsuccessful.
Its from Glass D’harma :)
Wow home grown romaine is gorgeous, much better looking than in a store.
I know right? I dont think ive ever seen it so fresh!