It may be the second to last day of August, but I haven’t thrown in the towel just yet. I’m still hanging on to summer as long as I can. Last weekend someone reminded me that Labor Day was just over a week away and I thought that surely they must be wrong. (So much so that I Googled it. Turns out they were right. Snap.)

Summer’s bounty of produce continues to work it’s way into my cooking. I’ve gotten used to tossing candy-sweet Sungold tomatoes and crisp cucumber slices onto my salads, buying local organic basil twice a week, and eating stone fruits multiple times a day every day.

I’m loving this Cinnamon Nectarine Smoothie. It showcases one of my favorite fruits in a perfectly delicious light. Cinnamon enhances just about every smoothie, but I especially love sprinkling it into my morning blends because it exerts a beneficial effect on blood sugar. Maintaining stable blood sugar throughout the day is important for all of us, but even more so for anyone who struggles with hypoglycemia, mood swings, headaches, or chronic fatigue.

Things have been a bit crazy around here lately. Between juggling multiple projects and starting on some exciting new endeavors (you’ll find out more soon…), I haven’t been giving my body quite the care it needs lately. Lunches have been on the fly, usually consisting of whatever I can grab from the fridge in 10 seconds. By the time dinner rolls around, I realize I haven’t eaten for far too long so I’m not even hungry anymore.

Smoothies are my tried-and-true method of packing nutrients into a glass that I can slurp down in mere minutes. I have a new motto: When life gets busy, there’s always the blender.

Of course, a girl can’t live off of smoothies alone. She must have chocolate!

Just kidding. (Sort of.)

Despite the hustle and bustle of life right now, I haven’t totally abandoned my personal wellness. I’m still finding time to exercise most days and feel like I’m drinking my weight in water. I guess I have another motto: Hydration, hydration, hydration.

-

What do you grab on the go when life gets busy?

Cinnamon Nectarine Smoothie

Serves 1

1 medium ripe nectarine, pitted and chopped

1 pitted Medjool date

1/4 cup ice cubes

1/2 cup unsweetened almond or hemp milk

2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

 -

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender such as a Vita Mix and blend on high until creamy and smooth.

 -

Note: If you don’t have a high-speed blender, you can still make this smoothie. Soak the date and seeds in water for several hours (or overnight) prior to blending. Strain before using.