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 looks great!!! I am using both Vega products right now too since they don’t have strawberries, chocolate, or soy in them and they are so good in my smoothies!
Your garden looks great!! I can’t wait to hear how everything else progresses
Congrats on your veggie success! I planted a little herb garden this year and have been about 50% successful. I almost don’t want to eat the herbs because I’m proud I managed to grow them! Also, I noticed that the parsley had a LOT more flavor than parsley from the store or even my CSA.
Sooo jealous of your peas! I have beans I’m keeping my fingers crossed for!
Wow, I can’t believe how fast the kale grew. I’m so jealous – I wished I lived in a house.
I’ve been going through so many of your older posts today and writing down SO many recipes!! Everything looks SO GOOD :) Your garden looks great!
thanks holly!
Yay! Congrats on having a successful garden! I can’t wait till I can start harvesting some veggies from mine!
I tried that Vanilla Almondilla protein powder and I wasn’t a fan – I found it had a weird aftertaste! I want to give the chocolate one a try and see if I like it better.
Your garden is looking amazing! That’s so exciting that you’re already able to pick some kale from it. :D
you were the first person to introduce me to Green Smoothies!
I can only imagine how lovely your sweet peas are going to be, I used to have the fresh from the plant as kid soo yummy
Jealous that you can have your own home veggie garden! I’ve wanted to forever… but I know my dog would eat everything in .5 seconds!
Yeah, I’m convinced. I should really grow some kale because it’s a staple in my house and costs a pretty penny at the market at the store.
You’re garden looks amazing so far! Thriving even. :D
hehe yea I figure im going to save millions over the course of my life ;)
Congrats on the kale success! It looks beautiful! It almost makes me wish I had a yard. :)
Wow! Awesome job on your garden!!! It looks amazing!!
I planted just a few seedlings in a small pot and some ruthless bunny had his way with the seeds :( I tried again and moved them up onto a table before I plant them so I am hoping for the best but you should be so proud of yourself!!
Our kale is taking forEVER to grow! I am so excited though. It’s dinosaur kale, which I think is simply beautiful. Vanilla Almondilla is my favorite!
You have such a beautiful garden! Love the photos!
Your pictures are so making me want a garden! I love the idea of picking fresh veggies and fruit.
Congrats on getting all those recipes entered! I looked into the Recipage system, realized the sheer time commitment it would take and decided…nope. That’s a project for my next lifetime. If i had started out w/ the system as a new blogger, it would have been great but hundreds of recipes later…nah, can’t handle dealing. You are a better woman than I. :)
And the Vega review..thanks for that. I have seen it but havent tried it. I have both of the others you linked from Vega and they’re tasty every now and then.
And look at you Mrs. Green Thumb…way to go. Or grow. :)
Hi Angela,
Wow so happy that your Veggie garden is doing well!
I was just wondering where you can purchase the Vega Vanilla Almondilla Shake & Go Protein Powder? Would I be able to find this at my local Great Canadian SuperStore Organic section??
Thanks
Emily, they sell it at Whole Foods :)
Not sure where in Canada you live, but I’ve seen it at the Atlantic Superstore here in Halifax, in the organic section!
Hi Meredith,
I live in Ontario…… I will have to check it out!
Thank you kindly
I buy it at superstore and bulk barn :)
Oh, for real??? You like the almondilla flavor?? I have to be honest that I was TOTALLY disgusted with it! I’m sorry!! lol I’m not sure what it was about it, but it literally made me gag. Love the other flavors though!
you know what I hated it at first but it has grown on me!! I only use 1 tbsp at a time though.
Looks tasty!!! I will have to try this green drink. Do you have a recommendation on either the vita mixer or juicer? I am in the market and there are so many to choose from?
I always say blender over a juicer. I use my blender almost every single day…the juicer collects dust most of the time! im happy with the vitamix, but ive also heard Oster blender machine came in at #2 ranking by consumer reports magazine. Its only $50.
Great!! I will have to look into that one. I have heard good things about the Oyster. Much better price point. Thanks!!
Your garden looks great! I can’t wait until I move out of my student apartment/residence, so that I can plant my own!
That GM looks delicious too, definitely making a variation on that tomorrow, minus the kale – I haven’t worked up the courage to try it in a GM yet!