Things We Really Love Right Now: The Green Monster Smoothie & Erin Condren Everything From Calendars to IPhone Cases

In less than one week, the WORLD, yes, the WORLD, for the first time ever will be united in celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness Day on 3.21.12.  This is the first year that the day is being officially recognized by the United Nations!   If you would like to add the "badge" to your Facebook profile or elsewhere- visit here.  You too can celebrate and add a badge like Joey on our Facebook page. 

 

In the meantime, we've been busy going to therapy, working on crawling, moving from sitting to tummy, practicing standing, working on words, trying to learn new signs.  You know-- just your usual 1 1/2 year old kind of every day stuff. :-)


Most of today's post is not about Down syndrome, but is about some fun "stuff" we currently really, really like.


The Green Monster Smoothie


One of our new favorite blogs has nothing to do with Down syndrome, but is a seriously awesome blog about healthy eating and cool stuff.  I also just really love the name of her blog: Iowa Girl Eats.  Straight up Midwestern goodness!   My new obsession on her blog is The Green Monster Smoothie.  Of course I found her blog and this recipe via Pinterest, which is like opening Pandora's box of good intentions.  Want the latest, hardest workout?  Visit Pinterest.  Want to know how make the most insane decadent dessert? Visit Pinterest.  What to find a million adorable crafts you will never have the time or energy to do? Visit Pinterest.  


 


Can you guess the main ingredient???  Nope-- not coffee.  I just needed a cup with a straw to drink it for some reason.


 


I almost hate telling you what it is...


 


Did you guess it?  Yep-- spinach.  Almost 4 cups of spinach.  This recipe had me digging through every single cupboard for the blender we haven't used since we got married almost 8 years ago.  It had me out buying (finally!) a salad spinner so I could have my spinach nice and ready at any moment.  


I've used both skim milk and almond milk and they are both great.  I also like the "honey" version of the fat free Greek yogurt. Finally, I add in a scoop of vanilla whey protein.  I swear to you-- if you mix it right, you don't even taste the spinach!!!

Green Monster Spinach Smoothie

Print this recipe!

Serves 1

Ingredients:

1 frozen sliced banana

1 Tablespoon peanut butter

1/2 cup 0% Vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt

1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (or other kind of milk)

4 cups baby spinach (or more, or less)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutritional stats:

350 calories, 10g fiber, 21g protein

Erin Condren
One of my friends had this gorgeous planner with colorful dividers, inspiration quotes, a pocket in the back, extra pages for notes and every other piece of goodness a person could possibly want in their planner.  We have a lot going on.  I literally am immobilized without my calendar and refuse to rely solely on my phone for an electronic calendar.  I'm a pens and paper kind of girl.  I need to write a list, write another list and then have the satisfaction of crossing items off of those lists.  This is where the Life Planner comes in. Doesn't that just sound helpful?

I've been using it since January and it is by my side at all times.  I seriously have a big crush on Erin Condren's Life Planner!  My only complaint is that through my use and abuse the monthly tabs started to wear out and one night I laminated all 12 of them. I'm pretty sure I have some issues.  That would be my one piece of feedback to this awesome company.  

Here is my other favorite, favorite, favorite fun item from Erin Condren right now-- trust me, they have lots more!
The Personalized Iphone Case
Oh-- how I love looking at my precious men all day, every day!  My super fun Iphone case lets me do that.  


It was so easy-- I uploaded a photo (by Nat) and they sent me a proof before they sent the final phone case and I am so in love with it.  Wouldn't this be an awesome birthday, graduation, holiday, anniversary, or Easter gift?

The People We Love


Doesn't really require much more to say about these photos other than these are the little people that make every day so amazing.

Practicing standing! This is right before he fell backwards as I tried to help hold him up and photograph him all at the same time.  

Dance party!!!!

Thomas Henry-- love this boy and his incredible, independent spirit.  

The beautiful Dorothy and Joey chilling at the park.