Dishing Up the Dirt

Lemon Poppy Seed Smoothies

It was a rather dramatic 24 hours at the farm. Our neighbors horses hopped the fence and trampled around our field killing a lot of crops- a few hungry deer paid a visit- Henry had a run in with one of our chickens and broke her leg- and Taylor and I spent the past 13 hours hunched over the dirt fixing the damage.  To sum it all up, it was not the most enjoyable day of the season.

A few tears were shed (and yes, I called my mom!) But life goes on and the damage could have been WAY worse. Nothing like a couple of crying farmers to kickstart a Monday morning. The good news is that our little chicken (Moose) is going to be okay. Henry chased her, grabbed her and immediately let go. Unfortunately, her leg is really hurt but we are confident she will be okay.

Times like these call for powerful smoothies to keep us energized and feeling strong so we can overcome the unexpected.

The inspiration for this smoothie comes from my raw lemon poppyseed bitesWe love those little snacks so much that I thought it would be fun to use the same flavor combination in a smoothie. The result was nothing short of amazing (Taylor said this was his favorite smoothie to date) and we will definitely be making these more often.

We may have started our morning off with tears and smoothies but we ended the long day with a couple of beers and a full hour spent sitting in the dirt doing absolutely nothing. It was amazing and just what the doctor ordered.

What I’ve learned over the past 5 years of farming is that there is always going to be drama. Our boss is mother nature and sometimes she can be totally unfair. As long as we keep a positive attitude and don’t get wrapped up in all the things that are going wrong we can focus on all the wonderful things that are going right. As it turns out, more things are going right than wrong and I think our future is looking bright.

Moral of the story- when life gives you lemons, make lemon poppy seed smoothies.  You can thank me later! Grab a straw.

Lemon Poppy Seed Smoothie

Prep Time: 5 mins.    Cook Time: 0 mins.    Serves: 2

  • 1 medium-sized banana
  • juice from 1/2 a lemon + 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (homemade preferred but store bought is fine)
  • 1 Tablespoon Almond Butter
  • 3 large dates, chopped (if you don't have a high speed blender sub 1 1/2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup or soak your dates for at least 30 minutes prior)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • small pinch of fine sea salt
  • a couple of ice cubes

Preparation

  1. Place all ingredients into a high speed blender and whirl away until smooth. Taste test and add more lemon or sweetener if necessary.

Notes

Use this recipe as a guide and adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary.


Leave a Reply

22 thoughts on “Lemon Poppy Seed Smoothies

  1. Emma says:

    Oh Andrea, that does not sound like a fun day! Sending big hugs your way. Seems like you’re dealing with it really well. though. In those kind of circumstances there is nothing we can do but accept what’s happened and move on.
    This smoothie looks amazing!! I adore lemony things but would never have thought to do a creamy, lemony smoothie.

  2. What a great smoothie recipe, so healthy but comforting too after everything you’ve been through!!

    SO much better than eating a box of Klondike bars and donuts, plus you feel up to dealing with your problems afterwards instead of just taking a nap =)

  3. Very tasty-looking smoothie! Your farming lessons are great life lessons for all of us to hear and apply to our own circumstances. You do really well level-setting expectations. And I’m sending lots of healing energy to the little chick and your crops!

  4. Dang! That sounds like quite the day. Was it a full moon or something?! I can imagine Henry hanging his head in shame – I’m glad it looks like Moose is going to be okay. And everything else will be, too!

    I love lemon poppyseed everything, so this smoothie is right up my alley. Yum.

  5. Dee says:

    Oh, my. What a shock that must have been. Your fortitude and positive attitude will carry you through! Sending all good thoughts for Mother Nature’s cooperation!

  6. Keep on truckin’ girl, it always seems like all the bad things happen at once, but that means you are in for a great rest of the week, right?! : )

  7. Sorry to hear about all your bad luck but I love your attitude and this smoothie!

  8. Naomi says:

    I love that you “Sat in the dirt” and did nothing! Hoping today starts off better!

  9. Lauren says:

    “As long as we keep a positive attitude and don’t get wrapped up in all the things that are going wrong we can focus on all the wonderful things that are going right. As it turns out, more things are going right than wrong and I think our future is looking bright.” Great attitude and words to live by! (Even if you’re not a farmer..)

  10. Oh no! I’m so sorry Andrea. That sounds like such a crazy and awful string of events but I’m glad to hear everyone is alright, including Moose.

    You two are so strong and the fact that you manage to stay positive is amazing. Cheers to lemon poppyseed smoothies and beers in the dirt!

  11. I’m so sorry you had an awful day! I hope your week gets better.

  12. OK, I was going to say – I think a day like that calls for something a liiiiittle stronger than a smoothie! But I see you and Taylor have that covered 🙂 I never would have thought of this flavor combo in a smoothie, so I’m so glad you did! If it’s Taylor’s favorite, we will be trying it for sure.

  13. Craig says:

    Really like your blog but hope your next day is a better one. My kids are really digging your recipes. I was wondering how you deal with something like that involving your neighbor? You must have been livid.

  14. Aww, Andrea. I’m sorry to hear this. but we’re all behind you. We know you and Taylor can bounce back. Wake up early tomorrow and attack the day. It will be a better one, I just know it 🙂

  15. Monet says:

    Oh man! What a day! I’m so sorry to hear about all the mishaps. This smoothie looks so good though. I loved lemon poppy seed muffins growing up so this takes me back to my childhood for sure!

  16. Susan says:

    Andrea, were so proud of you and what you have accomplished. Farming is not an easy life but your attitude is wonderful. May your cup always be half full… This smoothie is fabulous thanks.

    Susan

    P.s. I grew up on a 350 acre farm in Prince Edward Island, Canada….it was a great life but tough.

  17. SallyBR says:

    Farmers are heroes in my book, and your post just comes to prove they deserve to be…

    amazing that you can pull such a thoughtful and beautiful post out of a pretty chaotic day..

    hope it gets much better real soon!

  18. Trish says:

    I loved the ‘Little House’ books, and remember when crows ate the crops, Ma Ingalls said ‘This earthly life is a battle”. I think of that when something happens in my garden. I can certainly understand how frustrating all that is for you guys. I can’t even imagine how hard you work. Maybe I could have done it in my 20s, but now that I am twice that it takes all my strength and energy to keep my own garden going. I love following you guys, hope things go smoother for the rest of the growing season!

  19. GiGi Eats says:

    LEMON POPPYSEED is so my favorite flavorrrrr!! I am still trying to conjure up a recipe for lemon poppyseed muffins that I can eat! And I am going to perfect it VERY VERY SOON!

  20. This smoothie sounds absolutely amazing!! I love anything lemon poppyseed flavored– but I have never thought to make it in smoothie form!! Considering the fact that I am a smoothie freak, this might just become my new obsession. Just came across your blog today for the first time (somehow) and I am already hooked. Be prepared for an avid new reader!!!

  21. Erica says:

    You guys are amazing– I am truly blown away by your hard work & determination! Glad to hear things are looking up!

    I’ve had this smoothie for the past two mornings & WOW! Is it yummy! So light & refreshing, yet filling at the same time!

    Your blog & recipes are fantastic! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!

  22. Just what the doctor ordered. A power smoothie, a good cry and a moment of gratitude despite the hardship. You are an inspiration.

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