Coconut Refresh Smoothie

I’m feeling super inspired today.

Well maybe not just today, but lately. My path is getting clearer and clearer despite so many unknowns. Um, ironic much? Is that even the right use of the word ironic? I feel like the other day I heard we use that word incorrectly all the time… anybody else know what I’m talking about?

Do you remember when your career path/passion became clear? Are you still figuring it out? No matter where you are, remember you’re exactly where you need to be. Everything you’re doing or going through makes you who you are. It gets you where you’re going. Even if you’re not sure where that is yet.

Back to the unknowns. Here’s a few I’m facing right now: When is the right time to take the exam to become a registered dietitian? Will I pass the first time? Am I allowing enough time to study? Where will I end up working? What area of the field will I start in? Where will I end up? Will I actually move out of Durango exactly on the date planned? Where will I live? Despite so many questions, I’m so comforted by the fact that no matter what, I WILL GET TO WORK AS AN RD. Knowing that is the constant sunshine in my sky, even if there’s clouds covering at times. The sun is still behind the clouds.

I also think that since letting go of trying to eat any one certain way (paleo or otherwise), it’s like my brain is on overdrive with excitement about ALL the things out there I can eat! Inspiration city.

I still bum out a little that I veered off so far from everything I always knew was true about food. I always knew fruits and veggies ruled. I always knew the broken freakin’ record “everything in moderation”. I still struggle with how much truth the saying “everything in moderation” has and how vague and misleading it is at the same time. (The “moderation” struggle is real: for more, read a great article here.) When I bum thinking about how I tried eating mostly vegetarian, and vegan, and more fervently than anything paleo, I realize I could say I made a wrong turn or two. You might think that too.

I don’t see it that way. The way I see it, I learned a crap ton. I grew as a person. I know so much more now. I can empathize with others who’ve struggled to find what works for them. With so much misinformation out there, how can you not at some point?

Overall, it’s that I’ve experienced more, and in my book that trumps teaching or telling any day. Anyone can tell you allllll you want about what to eat or how to eat, but when you experience it and make choices for yourself, THAT’s what sticks. THAT’s what means something to you. Your experiences. Not what someone told you you should do. Lastly, I’m more sure than ever about my food and life philosophy as I start my career as a registered dietitian. As an RD I’m “supposed to” have the answers about how we should eat. I’m supposed to be the expert. Out of college, I wasn’t. I was a confused little lamb. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t have the answers.

So now, do I have all the answers?

No.

“Whaaaat?” you ask, “I thought you said you had to have all the answers before you felt ready to call yourself and RD and work as one!”  Well, my friend, that’s exactly what’s changed! I am completely comfortable (oook, a liiiiittle scared) but sure that I DON’T have to have all the answers. I know a lot about what works and what doesn’t. I acknowledge that I know a LOT. At the same time I don’t know EVERYTHING. In fact, I never will. I’m not “supposed to”. I will always be learning and that’s ok. Part of the fun even. Only more experiences will give me more knowledge. So I’m not afraid of whatever is next. Cause no matter what, I’ll learn and get closer to being that “expert”.

Life can be tough. I’ve had years where I was confused, questioning and doubting. C’mon, I’m human, I’m not always peppy! Change is certainly tough. For me, deciding to change careers was a serious contemplation for over a year, and a daily struggle in my head for about six solid months before pulling the trigger. Not a quick decision I took lightly, because I was so grateful for my work experience in my “first” career. I would NOT be who I am today without it. I really learned a ton there, grew up, met some amazing individuals, and seized many great opportunities. I don’t regret a day of it and I don’t take for granted one bit all of the personal and professional learnings from the job, or the people there who invested in me.

At the same time, remember that following your heart never fails. Choosing to listen to my gut and my heart about my career path came at the right time. I still think that if I had gotten a dietetic internship right out of graduating college, things would not have turned out the same.  (Did I mention that? I didn’t get matched to an internship out of college. #Denied.) I really think that was meant to be.  It wasn’t the right time for me.

Now, I can truly say that I love nutrition, and food, and helping others, and I’m so lucky that my job will allow me to share my knowledge and help others find their feel-good too. Despite walking down a totally unknown path right now, I know I’m exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I should be doing.

I’ll leave you with one final note… and it’s actually about this smoothie you’ve been scrolling along!!  While I love smoothies, I do NOT crave them when it’s cold. Since it’s been so dang hot though, I’m actually craving them more! This puppy was my lunch yesterday… nom, nom.

This smoothie recipe calls for young thai coconut meat. Before you get all dismissive that you won’t make this recipe ’cause you don’t know what that is or where to get it just hold your horses. First – what is it? It’s the meat from the inside of the coconut, or the white fleshy part. Young thai coconuts look like this and their meat is more moist and tender than that of the more mature, “hairy”, brown coconut you’re used to seeing.

Second – where do you get it? In Seattle, I used to find it fresh at an Asian market called H-Mart. I first bought it fresh and it was a PAIN to extract the meat. So on my next trip there, I found the package you see above in the frozen food section. HELLO, way easier. Pre-shredded fresh young coconut meat. I live in a small town now, and I am not able to find it here. (Yes, I stocked up on these–pictured above–frozen packs in Seattle and transported them to Durango in a cooler with a few other items from our freezer we just couldn’t part with. Food people, you get it. Other people, I know I’m a ‘lil cray.) But wait! There’s more…

{Pictured below is the frozen pack after being microwaved for about 30 seconds, just so I could break it up from it’s “block” into smaller pieces for the blender.}

Lastly, if you can’t find young thai coconut meat (fresh or frozen), just substitute it for canned coconut milk (found in the Asian/ international isle of your grocery)!

• If you’re using low-fat canned coconut milk…
  • I suggest using about 8 oz.
  • The recipe calls for almond milk. Only add as needed to help the smoothie to blend. You will not need the full cup it calls for.
  • Since canned coconut milk is stored at room temp, you might want to add additional ice to ensure the smoothie is cold, or just pour over ice to serve.

• If you’re using full-fat (regular) canned coconut milk…
  • I suggest 4-8 oz, depending on your preference.

• If you want to really make it similar to the smoothie I made below, take the extra step to pour some canned coconut milk (I suggest the full-fat type for a smoother, less icy smoothie) into an ice cube tray, freeze it, and use about 4-6 cubes in the smoothie (and omit the ice from the recipe).