Hi there,

Thanks for visiting Umami Girl. I'm Carolyn Cope, and since 2008 I've been blogging here about a lifestyle based on whole foods, mostly plants. Over the years Umami Girl has grown from a resource for the members of a Community Supported Farm I helped organize into a large and vibrant community of smart, free-thinking people. We really dig improving people's lives by making nourishing food irresistible and providing food for thought -- but we are so not fans of preachiness or that creepy self-help vibe. (You know the one I mean.)

Like the rest of the thinking world, this space is always evolving. The blog is the beating heart at the center of things, and in the next little while I'll be rolling out some new content as well -- a free Getting Started Guide for folks who'd like a friend to walk them through the transition to a whole foods lifestyle, and a just-for-fun podcast series called First-World Rants, because big talk about small problems makes people weirdly happy.

Lots of nice people have said lots of nice things about Umami Girl, and I am very thankful for them all. Click here if you'd like to read more about it.

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All the best,
Carolyn

Liquid Love: This Smoothie Should Be Your Valentine’s Day Breakfast. Trust Me.

Ahem. It’s probably best that I not say too much about this smoothie recipe, and that you just go ahead and purchase the ingredients, blend it up, and get on with things. If you catch my drift.

I will say this: if you are at all on the fence about the powers and pleasures of a healthy diet, this smoothie will put you over the edge. I will also say, as they do here in England, that this smoothie is “good fun” for any day, and it’s especially apropos on Valentine’s Day. And I will say that this smoothie is delicious, but that the taste is almost beside the point. Am I making myself clear? Are you making yourself a shopping list?

Okay, no more beating around the bush. (Yeah, I went there.) Share this smoothie with your Valentine on Tuesday morning, let your mind wander during the afternoon, and then go forth and enjoy your evening. You can thank me on Wednesday.

Carolyn xx

Recipe: Liquid Love

This mood- and energy-boosting superfoods smoothie is ideal for Valentine’s Day or any day. Don’t be intimidated by the inclusion of raw cacao powder and maca powder. Cacao is just chocolate, which is all Valentinesy; and maca is a Peruvian root used for thousands of years to promote stamina and virility. You can find them both at Whole Foods and most health food stores.

Ingredients

2 cups frozen blueberries
1 banana
1/2 cup raw cashews
2 Medjool dates, pitted
2 Tablespoons raw cacao powder
2 teaspoons maca powder
1 1/2 cups water, or more to reach desired consistency

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed or regular blender and blend until completely smooth. Serve immediately.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 2

10 comments

Elaina @ Flavour

Oh my, i love how this smoothie looks! Your ‘description’ is great…”just try, trust me and thank me later!” Too funny! Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe, can’t wait to try it!