A New Outlook & Carrot Ginger Cake Smoothie Bowl


I've had some big changes in the past few months. This whole year is and will be full of changes. My mom has been telling me the past couple months that I am like a "new Parker" that she has "never seen before." Of course, I initially didn't want anything to do with that way of thinking, because I just wanted to hold onto the past. Lately, though, I've come to realize that I kind of am a different person. The changes combined with stepping through the gate into adulthood have made me feel more like myself than ever.

I feel very Parkerish. I'm not Parker as defined by anything or anyone else. Just Parker. 
 
 
I feel free, in a way. I'm still bound by timelines and deadlines and all the things I'm a part of, so free isn't exactly the right word. There is a whole giant world wide open to me, though, with so many different opportunities to be whatever and whoever I want to be and do whatever I want to do and go wherever I want to go. 

In commemoration of all things new, bright, and sunshiny, I present the carrot ginger meets carrot cake smoothie bowl. It could easily be one or the other with a couple small tweaks, but why have one when you can have both?!

Carrot Ginger Cake Smoothie Bowl

 

a couple pieces each of frozen peach, pineapple, and mango
one carrot, grated (or in pieces, depending on the power of your blender)
1/2 cup (ish) Greek yogurt (or dairy free sub of your choice)
2 pitted dates (again, use discretion in chopped vs. whole depending on blender power)
1/4 tsp (give or take) ginger powder (if you have fresh, go for it)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon (Obviously, the quantity simply depends on your level of obsession with cinnamon. Mine is relatively high.)
enough milk (whatever variety floats your boat) to blend smoothly
chopped pecans for topping (toasted would be especially wonderful)


 Combine everything but the pecans in your blender. Pour in a bowl and top with the pecans. I found that the carrot made the texture a bit fibrous, and I think it would have been smoother with a frozen banana added. Alas, we were all out. If you do throw a banana in there (which is probably what I'll do next time), you can leave out one or both of the dates. For a solely carrot ginger smoothie, skip the cinnamon and pecans; for carrot cake, decrease the ginger and add 1/8-1/4 tsp cloves. 


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