Beets for Life!

I consider this to be the elixir of life and my personal fountain of youth. I can see the noses crinkle and the eyes roll. If you don’t like beets, it’s because you have never enjoyed them properly prepared. One of my guests curtly replied “I don’t like purple food!” as I served her an Arugula and Beet Salad.

That’s an extremally limiting food rule to live under. As a cook, I’ve battled that belief for almost three decades. True Foodies have an open palette and a sense of culinary adventure when it comes to new food choices. We base our likes on experiences we actually engage in. The thought of not liking something without tasting it sounds ridiculous.

Food-phoebes discriminate against certain foods based on single factors, like color or the fact that as a kid, that food made them puke. Like the guest above, when offered a replacement-guarantee if she didn’t like my beet salad, most people need a bribe. And she loved it! Of course.

Seems like a lot of people base their likes on superficial characteristics - like color. Seems like a lot of times, that doesn’t work out so well. We jump to conclusions, usually from our soapboxes, onto high horses and gallop off into smug self-righteousness.

Short and simple, I make this smoothie almost every day. It is the perfect morning start for the body and mind. It has helped me lose and keep off over 30 pounds the past five years.

I find it’s not just the smoothie. It’s the discipline. Of doing it. Making the components and blending them up. Everyday. It’s helped. What helps you?

Thanks for being here, and for being you.

Ric

When my day starts with a Beet Smoothie, it’s always a better day for me!

Cut off the stems and root, and chop up the leaves for the beets to rest upon.

15 minutes in the rice cooker: turn off and leave closed overnight.

In the morning, just rinse under cold water, and the skins fall off.

Look how beautiful these beets are!

Add bananas, berries, Greek yogurt, almond milk, and juice. Blend. Drink.