My dearest (almost) daily smoothie,

Thank you for giving my life some sort of normalcy. Your chilly, brightly-hued viscous state nourishes my body but also my routine.

Without judgement, you bless me with balance when all I want to eat are fluffy char siu bao, tacos, white cheddar cheetos and cadbury mini eggs. Your boost of healthfulness in the early morning, as dewey golden light pours through my kitchen window, brings well-being to my day. Your harmony between veggies, fruit, healthy fat and protein, is a ritualistic song that graces my taste buds and nourishes my body.

You’ve never let me down. Even when we have no hope, you are a reminder that the world is selfless and sustaining. Served up best in beer steins my late Great Uncle Dana “borrowed” from an infamous British pub, you’re a constant reminder of the fun he brought to life even though he would laugh that you fill my cup in place of ale (he always required us to call him Great because, well, he was in many ways).

You work hard everyday, despite the fluctuations in temperature. You’re the perfect cool treat when the wet North Carolina heat won’t let up and on the coldest days of winter, you help my body fight off illness with a hefty dose of vitamins. 

Cycling through your flavors depends on my mood and current state of health. On days when I need to reset, your green hue and bright kale-lime-coconut flavor never fails. In the winter, when my immune system needs serious nutritional reinforcement in the form of vitamin C, your carroty Nickelodeon-orange hue meets Diaspora Co. turmeric, ginger and OJ turns into an energizing cup of sunshine. And in the spring, when color brings our world back to life, you bring an oversaturated fuchsia that echos North Carolina’s abundant azaleas with beets and strawberries. 

You, dear smoothie, are nutrient-packed (I wouldn’t dare water you down with ice), dairy-free, and keep me satiated enough so I don’t snack on the whole pantry between breakfast and lunch.

You are perfect (even though you give me gustatory sneezes).

Forever faithful,

Lauren

❤️