Baby Love's First Birthday - Part 1

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Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie Bowl

I'm getting back into my morning run with Coco. It would seem that this little dog needs the exercise as much as I do.
With the tangerine morning sun peeping over the sea horizon and Love's peaceful, sleeping face fallen away from breast, lips slightly parted following her 5am feed, I lift her hand from my chest and tuck it down beside her chin. Slowly, I peel my body away from her with as much tongue-poking-out-the-side-of-my-mouth concentration as my ten year old self playing Pick up sticks trying not to disturb my pile of colourful skewers, or in this case, my sleeping babe.

I slip into a loose t-shirt laid out the previous evening and tiptoe down the stairs. A furry little head pops out from beneath her bedding, one floppy ear folded back. She watches me in silence. I catch her gaze from the landing and whisper, 'Go to the beach?'. She tilts her head as if she understands every word, then slides out of her bed, an old cardboard box from the growers markets, stretches in a perfect downward dog pose, holding just long enough to finish her yawn with curly tongue outstretched. Her little round body follows me down the stairs, nails gently tapping against the hardwood floor.

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It's always a little difficult for me to run after a long break. My feet begin to feel heavy against the sloppy, wet sand, my lungs fill with cool air and my ears sting in the breeze. I push myself for the first kilometre until I feel my body settle into a regular rhythm, feed pounding, Coco running from the dunes to the sea and back again. I can tell she has missed this time with me, she seems particularly yappy today. I can imagine that expression on her face is really a goofy smile. Just the two of us, without the squeaky toy I brought home from the hospital, the living doll she's not allowed to play with yet.

We run all the way to the northern island before turning back and jogging home. Coco bounds into the sea and gulps down some salty water- she does that sometimes. I can feel the sun begin to burn my skin as we reach Witches Reef. We slow to a brisk walk before stopping to stretch. I can feel my stomach rumble, a reminder that I need fuel to replenish my energy. It never ceases to surprise me how ravenous I have felt since breastfeeding.

We have a quick dip in the cool sea, then walk the rest of the way home. We rinse off under the outdoor shower, then drip dry in the sun for several minutes until I decide what to make for breakfast: an energy smoothie, with peanut butter. Oh how decadent for breakfast!

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie Bowl with Chia
Serves 1 (very, very hungry lady)

2 x large very ripe bananas, frozen
1 heaped Tbs organic peanut butter
2 tsp honey (substitute agave for vegan)
2 Tbs chia seeds
1 Tbs hemp seed oil
2/3 to 1 cup soy or other non-dairy milk

Blend all ingredients until smooth, pour into serving bowl. Garnish with sliced apple, coconut flakes, pepitas and raw peanuts.

This is the perfect smoothie to enjoy if you're an active mama. If you enjoy other smoothie recipes, check out my instagram @seaandsalt

Bella xx

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Raw Chocolate Smoothie

Raw Chocolate Smoothie
Serves 1

Smoothie:

1 heaped Tbs Cacao powder
1 frozen banana
1 Tbs raw almond butter or raw almonds
3/4 cup icy cold almond milk
1 heaped tsp ground hemp seeds/ hemp powder
1 heaped tsp maca root powder
1 vanilla pod, split lengthways and deseeded

Garnish:
1 tsp chia seeds
1 Tbs raw almonds

Smoothie: Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender, pour into a serving glass or jar.
Garnish: Sprinkle chia seeds and raw almonds over the top.

I sealed my jar and took it on an early morning tropical adventure with Byron through the green mountains. We shook the jar after sealing it to ensure the chia seeds were evenly dispersed throughout the smoothie. Blended frozen bananas perfectly thicken the smoothie and add the much needed energy and sweetness for a beautiful day hike. Hemp seeds are packed full of protein and contain natural Omega 3, 6 and 9; the maca root is a mood enhancer and the chia seeds add extra fibre for dietary balance. This smoothie is the grown-up natural alternative to a cappuccino or protein shake.

Cacao contains caffeine, so this may not be the best option for kiddies, especially with nuts.

This smoothie tops my list for cool, slightly sweet, rich raw cacao flavoured chocolate smoothies. Mmmm….

This smoothie is delicious, just what you need to fight those Hump Day blues away!

Happy adventures friends!

Bella xx

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The Green Kitchen: Apple Spinach Smoothie

The clock ticks by as if a cog is broken but instead of slowing down, it accelerates. Each time I glance at it, I am aware more time has passed. Five minutes. An hour. Suddenly I'm looking down the barrel at Friday when it was only Monday a few moments ago, wasn't it?

This week has blurred right by me. If I stop to think about all the tasks I have completed or at least started I can somehow account for the lost time but it doesn't seem to make me feel any kind of reassurance. Time is time.

I'm calling it. This is the moment to recharge with a healthy meal on the run. Sure I'm busy and off to work on the next project in a few short hours. Who cares? This girl must eat and what I put into my body, the fuel, the sustenance is what is most important when all other systems are flashing their red warning lights and blaring their alarms.

It's time to nourish.

Apple Spinach Smoothie
Serves 1

1 Red Delicious apple, cored, skin on
1 large handful of baby spinach
1 Tbs unsweetened Greek or natural yoghurt
1/2 cup chilled, unsweetened organic almond milk
1 tsp ground hemp seeds
1 tsp maca root powder
*1/8 tsp Spirulina (optional)
*small handful of ice cubes (optional for a chilled smoothie)

Place all ingredients into a blender, pulse until smooth. Savour on the go.

Be kind to yourself. Drink this. You'll feel better, I promise.

Bella xx

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