I’m kind of obsessed with New Year’s Resolutions, this year especially. Let me just say, I am relieved to be done with 2013. It was really a mess. You know how life tends to go in cycles, with ups and downs, and it’s not always sunshine and flowers? I thought about that often last year. It’s over though, thank god!
I know not everyone bothers with making resolutions and that they’re kind of made to be broken eventually, but I find it very clarifying to have a clean slate and the opportunity to kind of step back and evaluate what I would like to have happen for that year. I write ridiculously long lists of dreams, plans and ideas, knowing full well that I’m not going to do all of them at all, but usually I end up doing some of them, which is great. I guess they’re not really “resolutions” in the traditional sense. Intentions is probably a better word. Past examples that worked out really well include: “start my own jam business” and “I think we should get 200 chickens.”
One of the things I am focusing on right now, at least for the beginning of this year, is to take better care of myself. Meaning, if I’m trying to get my life really on track for where I want to be going, working every moment of every day and drinking 9,000 cups of coffee to get through it is a horrible way to make it happen. Very little will end up getting accomplished, except being really exhausted and crazy. It’s funny, because I totally know that already, but sometimes we just need learn things the really hard way, right? (Although… I might say that the thing about learning things the hard way is that the lesson is so painful that I personally will absolutely not be forgetting it any time in the near future). 
So. For the last few days I’ve been making smoothies for breakfast. Some resolutions might be difficult to keep, but I think this one is pretty easy. “Eat a real breakfast with things in it that are actually good for you.” I’ll sheepishly admit that it’s pretty simple, not exactly rocket science, and I’ve known it for a long time, yet I decided to have coffee for breakfast for most of last year.
Here’s to a happy and healthy 2014!
CRANBERRY CHIA SMOOTHIE
Makes: about 1 quart jar
Ingredients:
- 2 c. almond milk
- 2 tbs. chia seeds
- 1 c. cranberries
- 2 big kale leaves, stems removed
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1 tangerine, peeled
- optional: 1 tbs. honey or maple syrup
Combine the chia seeds and almond milk and let the seeds soak for atleast 30 minutes. (I do this step the night before so it’s ready to go in the morning). Once the seeds are soaked, combine the almond milk/chia mixture with the other ingredients and blend until smooth.
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Love this chia seed smoothie recipe! I have wanted to try chia seeds. Thank you! I like making lists, too. There is something so inspiring about the first of the year. Blessings to you…
Thanks for this recipe! Am bad at eating breakfast and this sounds yummy…will definitely try this one.
This sounds yummy! Thanks for a quick and easy breakfast recipe!
Yum cranberry smoothie, brilliant! I have a blueberry smoothie with chia and coconut milk and oil, probiotic, and greens supplement almost every day. I am a coffee for breakfast person too…not healthy. Anyways, thanks for the idea!