Quite a tall order, don’t you think? I feel like Maria Von Trapp, all of a sudden, singing “These are a few of my favorite things!”
It is Valentine’s Day and I was thinking about all the young and not so young couples who will be dining at the restaurant across the street from my home, enjoying a feast, indulging, savoring the moment and each other’s presence. What will they talk about? Plans for the future, a new homestead on the horizon, family, travel and all sorts of dreams, I would think.
Love is not just about couples and marriage of course. We love many different people and things in many different ways. We love one season more than another. We love our children and siblings and we love the furry ones who share our homes (I am not talking about the monstrous spider I did not have the heart to kill the other night… that’s another story).
As you can see, my mind is fluttering right and left as I contemplate this day to celebrate love, but it all came together as I visualized my thoughts, or rather when I laid eyes on my cat’s wheatgrass dish. At this point you are welcome to think Granny is loosing it… but I am not, I assure you.
Love is about pampering those we care about and about being good to ourselves too. It is those little things we do to embellish our surroundings so that we feel good wherever we look. I see that small patch of wheatgrass and I think of spring. How fortunate we are to have heated homes where we can nurture and enjoy little portions of nature throughout the year, even here in New England. How fortunate we are to have fresh produce year-round, whether we grow it ourselves or not.
I watch my cat bury her nose into her wheatgrass to find the perfect, most succulent blade, pull it and devour it as she purrs and I know this is the right sort of pampering I can provide for her. I do not buy many commercial treats for my pets. I prefer to provide something from nature. The dog loves apples. This and the wheatgrass can be chopped and added to their food also.
As far as pampering myself (who else is going to do it?!), the same rules apply: Find delight in what nature offers. It is quite simple and always a source of pure pleasure, as you already know. Thus, I will end this long and roundabout discussion about love, spring, pets and natural delights with a quick recipe for a Valentine’s Day Smoothie to bring spring and vigor to the entire body.
Spring Splash Smoothie
Ingredients
2 apples
1 banana
1 lime
3 inch round of wheatgrass (or less, to taste)
12 crushed ice cubes
Preparation
Process fruits and wheatgrass in a juicer. Transfer juices to blender. For extra pulp, process entirely in a blender (you will need to add water to taste). Add crushed ice. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until consistency is pleasing. Serve. If you are serving for company, embellish with a sprig of parsley or a slice of orange.
Happy Valentine’s day! Wishing you lots of pampering.
#1 by thekalechronicles on 02/14/2013 - 2:20 pm
This morning I must have hot chocolate, although your smoothie might be better for my health — I spent an hour singing out on a cold street corner and have not warmed up yet, although I have been home for over an hour. Happy Valentine’s Day to you.
#2 by Granny on 02/14/2013 - 5:59 pm
Ho! Thank you. It is a great surprise to find you here. Made my day. I mean it. There is nothing like a warm cup of hot cocoa to warm your body and soul. Just holding the cup is soothing. There is a time and place for smoothies. I think you have earned your hot chocolate and this is the healthy treat at this time. Health is not just about the body… but you know this. Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well. Good to think you are probably spending it with Johnny.