I know it's a weird topic to talk about on a food blog, but I have decided to find out where I come from. You see, I often wind up in conversations with people about where they grew up, their heritage, and their ancestry. I am intrigued when people know that their family descends from a far away land or that they are part Irish and part Italian. Inevitably the conversation turns to me and we talk about how I am adopted and don't really know any of my history except for the history I have made for myself the last 36 years.
I don't know how this conversation always pops up around me other than it must be a sign from the universe telling me to seek out an answer for myself. I have had a million and one moments since I learned that I was adopted that I wondered what it would be like to know my own history, but until now I have always chickened out or gotten distracted by life.
Once I had children of my own, finding the answers to all of those questions started to feel even more important. It was amazing to me how my children automatically did things like I did. They both sleep in the same position I do, they have my laugh, and my eyes. I hadn't ever really known what that was like before they came along. Sure, I do things like my adoptive parents because I grew up with them and was raised in their household, but to just do it...from the very beginning because it is a part of who they are...that was amazing to me!
So, I decided that if I made the decision to share my journey here it may not be quite so scary. It will be more like a project - an in depth series of sorts that will not only answer my questions, but just might help someone else at the same time. So, I hope you don't mind, but I am taking you on this journey with me. I won't bombard you with updates only the important (AKA: interesting) stuff.
In case you are wondering how the heck a smoothie bowl ties into finding myself it's actually pretty simple. I had this notion in my head that I hated green liquid things. Juice, smoothies, cocktails - you name it. If it was green it wasn't passing these lips. That was until last year when my friend Tess introduced me to her Taste's-Like-Ice-Cream Kale Shake. It totally rocked my taste buds and changed the way I looked at green drinks. Since then I have come up with a few green drinks of my own, but this smoothie is by far the BEST! This is the green smoothie for people who hate green smoothies. I make a portable smoothie version of this recipe for Todd every morning before work, but on the weekends I add a few extra ingredients to thicken up the smoothie, top it with all sorts of goodness and turn it into a delicious breakfast that is delicious, beautiful, and filling enough to keep us going strong until lunch. Today I am sharing the recipe for both, because I know you will love them as much as we do!
PrintBrilliant Green Smoothie
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ten Free & Vegan)">cashew milk
- 1 cup green grapes
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 frozen banana cut into 1-inch pieces
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in the order listed into a high speed blender and process until smooth.
Rae Lynn Carter says
Oh, my goodness, I am so sorry that was so long...did not realize it until I posted and saw it full on! lol I will try to keep my posts shorter!
Meg says
Rae, no worries! I love knowing more about my readers. Please feel free to be yourself and express yourself as much or as little as you like!
Rae Lynn Carter says
Meg, I am brand new to your site, just today...and I already love it! You seem so sweet and down to earth. Firstly, I love all of these recipes and cannot wait to make them, don't know where to start...think it will be the Spiced Date Smoothie??!! Also, I'm not adopted but am so interested to know about my ancestry anyway. My maternal grandfather actually researched his side of our family, had papers and gave them to my sister, I think, because he lived with her for a long time before he passed. But no one knows where the papers are! I'm so disappointed because I want them so bad. There is something there, though, that I'm sad, mad and so very disappointed (not a strong enough word!) about! I'm not sure who it was, but one of his father's forefathers, don't know how far back that would be, but maybe his great great grandfather (?) was a vice president of a bank in Germany, and was somehow involved in the Germans' Hitler regime! I do not know what he did, just that he was involved. I am so ashamed and sad that this is part of my heritage. I understand that I cannot help it and it's not my fault, but that's not what you want to learn about your ancestry. I am a Christian, and believe very strongly that we are to help, love and protect God's chosen people, the Jewish. So, I know only that I am part German. I wouldn't mind that, but not if my family was part of that horror. Anyway, I've never shared that with anyone and don't know why I just did! But I am about to cry just thinking of it. I just hope I won't be judged badly because of this. I wanted to hear wonderful news of my ancestors. Oh, and I do also know that my maternal great, great grandmother, I believe, was a native American. I love that! I wish I had learned this early in my childhood and been able to learn all about EVERYTHING, all their ways, which tribe...actually, I think he said Cherokee, but I'm not sure about that, and visit with any of my extended family, been a part of their lives. I'd love to find out who and where they are! I don't know how or where to begin. I tried Ancestry.com but it didn't go far back, only about two generations, and that was only my paternal grandfather's side. Anyway, hope you keep us updated, and I'm hoping you learn everything you want! Do we get emailed when you make any posts, or how does that work? Good luck and blessings to you!
Meg says
Thank you so much for this Rae!! I think it's great that you know some of your own history and for what it's worth I don't think you should own the actions of a distant relative. You seem like such a kind hearted person I would hate for you to carry that burden. I hope that those papers eventually turn up and that you have the opportunity to pour through them. As far as notifications whenever we share new recipes all you have to do is sign up for our email updates at the top of the page. You will be sent a confirmation email to approve and from there you will receive an update from us a few times each week! I look forward to staying connected with you and will definitely share updates about the search for my families history as they come in.
stacy di says
I'm VERY new to your blog...and was so happy to see this post...I was adopted too. Wanting to know where you come from has NOTHING to do with the love you have for your adoptive parents. It's something you should have the right to know, and not feel guilty about it. Good luck with your journey!
ps...this recipe looks fantastic too 🙂
Meg says
Thank you so much for leaving this comment Stacy! I really appreciate you taking the time to share with me.
cynthia says
Oh my gosh, this post. Thank you so much for sharing this special and incredible journey with us, Meg -- you are incredible. So many hugs to you and I can't wait to see where your adventure leads. And this SMOOTHIE BOWL! I'm with you, I think spinach is my favorite in green juices! Adding grapes is a stroke of genius. I can't wait to try this.
Meg says
Thank you so much Cynthia!! I appreciate your kind words so much. It is really uplifting to know that I have such a great support system as I start this journey.
I totally think that I could put spinach in every single smoothie for the rest of time...I love it! Now I need to try and juice it. The grapes add a nice mix of tart and sweet that my kids just love, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Catherine says
So pretty, healthy and satisfying.
Heather says
My eyes are welling, Meg. You've made me want to re-start this journey for myself. Maybe my timing was just off when I started my search years ago. I so KNOW these feelings you have. I get it. I love my adoptive parents, but I need to know MY story...where did I get a perfect ballet pointe from? (I don't dance!) Who on earth bestowed my crazy laugh to me? I know I have some Irish in these smilin' eyes, but what else?! I'm getting emo thinking of the mystery of it all, but just wanted to let you know that I support you in this amazing adventure to discover your roots. (Can I pretend we are long-lost sisters with the same birthmom? 😉
Meg says
Heather we can totally pretend to be long-lost sisters!! Wouldn't that be AMAZING?! I feel the same way as you, I love my parents so much that there are no words for it, I just want to know my own story. I would love to go down this road together, because lets face it there is nothing better than having someone along for the journey that knows exactly what you are going through.
Cara says
To say that I am proud of you is to put it lightly. I cannot wait to walk alongside of you in this new journey, my dear friend. This is your year for every aspect and you deserve nothing but happiness, success, and roots. Love you bunches!
Meg says
Thank you sweet Cara! I appreciate your friendship and love you so much. Thank you for being in my life and sharing this journey with me. It's bound to be a crazy ride!
Chrissy says
Good luck in your quest! I can trace my family back only about 2 generations and I'm really jealous of others who can dig further. One of my friends can trace hers back something like 27 generations. Crazy!
Also, hemp hearts= new breakfast fave
Meg says
Whoa!! 27 generations! That is insane. I can't even wrap my head around that. Hemp hearts are my favorite too. I don't know what I ever did without them!
Pure Ella says
Oh my sweet Meg, this is so exciting I am tearing up 😉
I want to squeeze you so tight!!
Well of course I can't wait to hear about some updates.
I know one thing, your adoptive parents have a pretty cool daughter 😉
Meg says
You are the sweetest Ella! I really appreciate your support, you are such a great friend. 🙂 I have to admit my mom and dad are pretty cool too!
Gaby says
How exciting, I can't wait to hear updates!!
Meg says
Thanks so much Gaby!!!
Lynn @ The Actor’s Diet says
I applaud you! I don’t know much about my own ancestry even though I ask all the time…it’s complicated...
Meg says
Lynn, thank you! I have a complicated story myself which I think is part of the reason that it is so important for me to search for the answers. Keep asking those questions girl!!
Kate @ Diethood says
Ooooh I wanna know I wanna know!! I can't wait to see your updates! I love history and anything related to it. 😀 AND more green smoothies that are this delicious!
I am 100% Macedonian, born and bred, and can track down my ancestry all the way to the 17th century. Cool, right?
Meg says
Haha!! Yay! It is so cool that you can trace your heritage back to the 17th century! I don't think I can even wrap my head around that. I have no idea what is in store for me, but I am super anxious to find out.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Finding out where you come from is definitely important! And well worth researching! Also, this smoothie bowl looks delicious!
Meg says
Thanks so much Katrina!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
Ok the beauty of this post is unreal. I love that you are looking into your roots. I was having a conversation with someone recently about this. I want to talk more with you about this!!!!
Meg says
Thank you Jocelyn! I would love to talk to you more about it. It has definitely been a long time coming for me...it's scary and exciting all at the same time!