Just a quick post today…. Time seems to be skipping away this weekend and not for any particularly exciting reason….. I think it has been consumed in a flurry of dusting and ironing (my two pet-hates…..) and other household chores.
But I did manage (in amongst the more banal end of domestic activity) to make this smoothie…..
The other night I woke up thinking of melons…… All very strange….. More specifically smoothies made with melons…… I find it fascinating what depths of curiosity the brain will probe when we are asleep….
I’ve never actually put melon in a smoothie before. I have no idea why as it is one of my favourite fruits (and one of Miss GF’s too). I love melons….. particularly Galia melons (preferably chilled) for their fresh, fruity sweetness, which is amazingly refreshing when you need to quench a thirst.
And they remind me of my father….. a wonderful and very compassionate man who died many many years ago when I was little more than a child, from the awfulness that is Cancer. In his final days (which we were fortunate enough to have him home for), all he seemed to want to eat was liquidised Galia melon….. It seems very random thinking about it now, but at the time it all seemed very normal…. his failing body needed that particular fruit and we duly found it for him.
Even more than 30 years on, I miss my father terribly….. he was my rock and my hero who was taken away before I was ready to lose him. But that’s how it is in this world….. time may be infinite, but our lives are not and when time is up, there is little we can do to stop it. Thank goodness we have the ability to store precious memories to tap into when we need them most…
I’ve just read the above back to myself…… I apologise for that little bit of self-indulgence, but will leave it in anyway….. I remind myself that this blog is essentially my daughter’s record for her future and one day, she may read these little snippets which will add another small piece to the jigsaw of her history……
Now back to melons and more importantly, smoothies….. With January not yet at an end, I am still trying my best to inject a little healthiness into my daily routines….. I am continuing to get down the gym when I have time and have managed to avoid making an excess of puddings and cakes. Smoothie does seem like a positive choice to get a little sweetness into life without refined sugar…
Recent media reports would suggest the jury is currently ‘out’ on whether regular consumption of smoothies is a good or bad thing….. The hidden calories that we woolf down with each glass may weigh against them slightly, but in my head, I am still getting plenty of vitamin and mineral rich fruit. Blended with a carefully considered base….. in this case I added a small pot of coconut milk yoghurt…… I figure I could be eating a lot worse. It is a wonderful healthy replacement to a sugar-laden traditional dessert and that for me is a big tick….. well deserving of the large halo of virtuousness that I intend to wear as a result of said consumption!
This smoothie contains a happily nutritious fruity fusion of the melon, banana, strawberry and lime. It tastes like you are drinking magic juice……. divine……. Miss GF reckons this smoothie is the best ever…… Maybe. Maybe not. But it is definitely worth a try…… maybe even take to work for a refreshing breakfast boost!
I am sharing a bottle or two with the following linkies :
Meat Free Mondays with Jacqueline at Tinned Tomatoes
Alpha Bakes with Ros, The More Than Occasional Baker and Caroline Makes, this month celebrating G, or in my case, Galia melon.
Gluten Free Fridays with Vegetarian Mamma.
Free From Fridays with Emma at the Free From Farmhouse.
Banana, Melon & Strawberry Smoothie
Ingredients (serves 4)
juice of 1 lime
125g pot natural coconut milk yoghurt (I used Coyo brand)
1 tablespoon maple syrup.
Method
Gluten Free Alchemist © 2013-16 unless otherwise indicated
Lovely smoothie and I particularly love your photos. Those biccies look great too!
Thank you! The biccies and smoothie were a great pairing (except for my waistline)!
Oh my goodness, this flavour combination sounds fabulous! I am so with you on the smoothie/health thing…they might contain sugar but they are also full of goodness and much healthier than a mars bar or a can of coke (or a pain au choc – sob!) Love those cute little milk bottles too! Eb x
Thanks Eb….. It tasted fab….. and yep! Way better than chocolate or coke!
I love my bottles too…… I am told they are old school milk bottles…… They certainly look like the ones I remember when I was little xx
Yum. I'd never think to put melon in a smoothie. I've finally got a working blender so need to start experimenting. #freefromfridays
Thanks Emma…. Having tried melon in smoothie, I would thoroughly recommend it. I think I may be using it a lot if we get a summer this year!
What a lovely tribute to your father. It is surprising how little things remind you of important things in your life. I've never tried melon in a smoothie but I'd love to have one of yours now as it looks so tempting and I'm sure tastes absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing with AlphaBakes.
Thanks Ros. I think food has the ability to raise some incredible memories from the past and often ones that have been buried deep……. The power of flavours and culinary smells is very strong and evocative…..
oooh, melon is not what i'd think of putting in a smoothie but this looks great. I haven't eaten a melon in years but I was given one by a neighbour this weekend (don't ask) and it was a yellow-skinned one (honey dew maybe?) and it tasted really bland warm when I cut it open but after a day in the fridge it was so tasty!! and that's the end of my melon story!
Thanks Dom….. and thanks for the melon story! What lovely neighbours to give you melons as gifts!!
Melons do really vary from variety to variety, but I think all of them fair best with the fridge treatment x
I love a good smoothie, regardless of wheather its considered good for us! The base of coconut yoghurt sounds delicious. Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
Thanks Hayley, you're welcome. The coconut yoghurt was a great addition…. I did think of adding coconut milk but I wanted something a little thicker…. x
I hated melon as a kid bur have got slightly better – I have never heard of Galia melon – so maybe I should try and taste it (it sounds like something we might find in Asian shops) – I really like the sentimental recollections that this smoothie brings to you – and I know what you mean about some bad press for smoothies but like you I try to keep my smoothies full of good stuff and not drink them all the time which I hopes maximises the beneifts
Thanks Johanna. Melons seem to be a fruit with so many varieties that differ from each other so much in flavour. There are some that I really don't like, but Galia is really juicy and has a really subtle but sweet flavour. Apparently they are called Sarda in Asia.
I think you are right though….. providing smoothies are full of good stuff and eaten in moderation, then they still have to be a great option.
This looks and sounds great! You got little bottles like mine for smoothies…it makes them so much more drinkable somehow!!! I'm not a big melon fan but I reckon in a smoothie I'd like it!
Thanks Vicki. The bottles are so cute….. I found these ones in a little shop in town…… Apparently they are old school milk bottles which (being really old) I remember being given in class as a child. Miss GF thinks that's really funny!!
Melon's really vary in flavour from one to another and I can't say that I like every single one, but Galia is definitely a favourite of mine xx