I recently went to a smoothie workshop run by Life Elements. In search of some food and lifestyle changes to help replenish an overburdened adrenal system, the workshop reignited my love of natural whole foods.

It was time for food to help me become whole again.

Yesterday, I went to Naturally on High in Thornbury and purchased all the ingredients for my dream smoothie.

As this was my first ever non ordinary smoothie (you know… the berry/yoghurt/banana ones… ho hum), I thought it a great chance to do my ten minute mindfulness workout while preparing and drinking the goodliness of my creation. The aim was to let any other thoughts that popped into my head, go.

If I thought about my creative projects, people, to do lists, not to do lists… they were gone. There was just going to be me, a collection of ingredients, knife and my blender. And those taste buds had better be ready for a serious new taste sensation.

Chop. Measure. Grind. Pour. Slice. “I can’t believe I’m putting in an entire packet of spinach.”

Given the state of my life for the past few months, Mindful in May has come at a very appropriate time. As I separate the parts of my life and begin to plan for some exciting new ventures, I actually feel like I’m in some ways combining all the parts of my life to create one very delicious, wholesome, energising future.

But back to the spinach – seriously, a whole packet. Did mindfulness manage to help me savour the flavours of my green concoction?

I felt like my mouth was the backdrop for a Batman and Robin scene… there were so many kapows going on inside. I’d put just enough cacao to give a hint of chocolate, the banana helped balance the spinach, the coconut water and butter made me feel like I was back in Thailand and the nutty sunflower and almond islands floating with their date cousins added a dash of exotic surprises. Each mouthful was savoured, slurped slowly and swallowed softly.

Those wandering thoughts that intended to sabotage my green goodliness were gently told farewell, come again another day.

As I washed up the blender, I realised how much I’d probably missed every morning meal I’ve ever eaten. I like to sleep in. I usually rush around. I hate being late. I’m always at work or meetings on time. But I’d never sat down and mindfully consumed any breakfast. I need to eat, read the paper, plan for the day, think of the person I didn’t call yesterday and remember who I had to meet tomorrow. Who has time to think about the taste of their poached eggs, rolled oats, cocoa pops or bacon and egg mcmuffins?

Tonight as I write this post, I think the mindfulness smoothie creation and tasting helped me to slow down my entire day. I didn’t commence the day in a rush. I didn’t think about anything I had to do. And yet, I managed to get everything on my list done, make an awesome slow-cooked vegetable soup, bake banana bread, send a concept submission for two creative projects to a publisher, get to the gym and commence planning for the next few months. And have one seriously energising drink that tasted just too darn good to be filled with spinach.

I owe it to you mindful smoothie. You were such a smooth operator of stillness in the morning, I was so much more proactive than I have been in months.

This could be an interesting month.

you bloody ripper!

This post is part of my series for the Mindful in May challenge.

And what was in it : a few dashes of coconut water, a nice dollop of coconut butter, a little maca/cacao blend, few drops of agave, two dates, half a banana, crushed sunflower seeds and almonds, super big dash of almond milk and yes… a whole packet of spinach!