Good news my friends! Dentist says I have no cavities AND my outrageous coffee addiction was not questioned or scolded. Even though I love my hygienist and she’s super sweet, I’m happy to not be heading back for another six months.
By the time I got home from grocery shopping, I was pretty hungry, so while putting away the goods, I snacked on a banana SOYJOY bar.
A few weeks back, the company sent me some samples to try out, along with some great workout loot.
When I first got the package, I tried the strawberry and thought it was just ok, and I also tried the blueberry and liked that one a little better. But surprisingly enough, I really liked the banana flavor!
I say surprisingly, because even though I adore bananas, I usually do not like anything banana-flavored. But this had great flavor and kind of reminded me of banana bread!
By the time my groceries were put away, it was time to dive head first into lunch…which meant it was time to tackle the mango that’s been sitting in my fridge. I bought it on a whim last week and decided that today would be the perfect day to put it to use.
FYI: I clearly need a tutorial on how to cut a mango…I was a mess.
Today’s smoothie consisted of a frozen banana, a mango, 3 frozen strawberries, about 1/2-3/4 cup vanilla almond milk, and chia seeds.
While my smoothie blended away, I put together a little veggie plate, using some extra veggies that we received from yesterday’s party.
Having a bag of fresh, pre-cut veggies at my immediate disposal makes me an incredibly happy camper. It’s the little things.
This afternoon, the sun has been shining bright, so I decided to take my lunch outdoors for a change.
Who says you can’t drink smoothies out of a red wine glass?
Veggies + hommus = Always a winning combo.
Talk about a fruit & veggie loaded meal, right? And to make things even better, the smoothie was out of this world! Not only was the flavor great, but the chia seeds helped make everything so nice and thick.
I love it!
Question for the Afternoon:
What little things have made YOU happy today?
Victoria (District Chocoholic) says
For info on cutting up mangoes: http://bakemeaway.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/vegan-avocado-ice-cream-with-mango-sauce/
Shanna, Like Banana says
My vanilla latte made me happy today..and so will my 2 yr mini celebration with the hubby tonight ;)
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
It took me forever to figure out how to cut a mango. Once I learned the pit is right in the middle and you have to slice off the two “cheeks” from the sides, it made it so much easier. Definitely doesn’t give you as much fruit as you think you should get though! Stupid large pit!
Jen says
winning your giveaway made me SUPER happy!!!!
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) says
I’ve never tried SoyJoy bars before, the texture looks different from other bars but still yummy :) Loving your afternoon smoothie :D
Going to the gym made me happy today, I feel so strong!
miranda @working mom works out says
Umm, happy? I’m still giggling about the hubs quoting National Lampoon Christmas Vacation in his sleep last night. Haha
Your smoothie looks yum!
Courtney says
LOL, really?!? That’s great :)
Miranda @ working mom works out says
LOL, oh yeah…
http://workingmomworksout.com/2011/04/18/long-time-no-sleep/
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
GreenLiteBites has a great video on mango-cutting if needed. =)
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
Great lunch! I’m going to make a smoothie when I get home – so that little thing is already making me happy! :)
Lauren says
I’m not a pro, but Avocados and mangos should be similar cutting techniques.
Lauren says
I didn’t have any work to do today so I got to lounge on the couch with my sweet little Daisy and catch up with the DVR. I know it sounds lazy, but it made me happy :)
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy" Girl says
My new pink Copco that makes drinking water (sort of) fun. I wish it could make it taste like Coke Zero, but without all of the artificial, horrible sugar stuff. Then it would be a magic cup! OH and homemade cake pops from my incredibly talented coworker. :-) Congrats on the cavities…ya beat me!
Karis' Kitchen says
I woke up to find one of my cats’ sleeping with his head on my shoulder, which was a little thing that made me happy today. This is the same cat that often wakes me up by licking my eyelids, so those are less happy mornings :)
Lauren @ Hungry Dancer says
I know the best way to cut a mango!! I should figure out a way to share that via my blog!! Love that you drank your smoothie out of a wine glass!!
Kelly says
I have been craving a smoothie like nobody’s business. I swear I am tempted to go out right now and buy a mango just so I can make this!
Ally (oatsandspice) says
I won that soyjoy package in a giveaway recently – don’t you just love the backpack?! I’M OBSESSED :) — to bad my shirt was like an XXL though!
Your smoothies looks delish — MMMMmm to fresh mango :)
Courtney says
My shirt is that large too! :(
Sara @ Fun Simple Sweet says
I could soo go for a smoothie now! What made me happy today was my $15 haircut!
Cindy says
I love bananas too but also hate anything banana flavored!
Michelle says
Invest in a mango pitter. Totally worth it!
Courtney Pennington says
Mmmmm Yummer! That salad looks a lot like the one I had for lunch…except I only had feta cheese instead of the goat cheese! And of COURSE you can drink smoothies out of wine glasses, that is the best! :)
Erin-- says
I am sooooo happy that I made your banana cupcakes with honey cinnamon frosting yesterday to bring in to work today!! I had to turn it into a cake b/c after I put together the batter, I could NOT find my muffin tin anywhere. I don’t know if I loaned it to someone or what but it’s nowhere to be found! Usually when people bring stuff like that in, people don’t really dig in heavily until around lunch time but this cake was gone by 10:30. I’m lucky I snagged a piece =) People were walking down the hall saying how great it was. So thanks for making everyone think I’m a fabulous baker, it was a wonderfully easy and fabulous tasting recipe!!!!
Courtney says
Hahaha, I’m so glad you and your co-workers liked it!! Thanks for using it! :)
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign says
Does the texture of SoyJoy bars bother you? I’ve tried them in the past and always found the consistency kind of strange.
Little things that made me happy today: sunshine, a smoothie this morning for breakfast, a full fridge of groceries thanks to a pit stop on the way home, and a sweaty treadmill interval workout!
Courtney says
The texture was a little off at first for me, but I got used to it. Texture isn’t usually something that bothers me too bad. :)
Khushboo says
I need to try the banana flavor! When I had the raisin almond soy joy bar, i really was not impressed! If you figure how to cut a mango like a lady, lemme know- I’m such a mess with those things!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
That was exactly what my lunch looked like today!
Sarah says
It is such a disaster when i cut up a mango! I think i miss half the mango anyway haha.
I drink smoothies out of BIG wine glasses because it makes me feel fancy ;) I also drink them out of big mugs because it makes me “cool” haha jk.. sort of :D
Courtney says
Hahaha, I love it!
Steph says
Could not stop laughing at your mango slicing picture! Haha. My friend bought me a mango slicer a few months back and let me tell ya, it works GREAT! You definitely need to invest in one if you haven’t already. They are less than $10.