I have a problem.

 

I cannot get out the door in the morning. 

I’ll be basically ready to leave for work on time, and then manage to blow another 20 minutes.  How does this happen?!?!  This morning I needed to make a quick smoothie and leave.  Twenty minutes later, I had a delicious smoothie and a cool pic.  Maybe it’s the photo-taking?

 

I recently purchased Guar Gum.  Guar is a thickening agent commonly used items such as: ice cream/sorbet, pies, pudding, smoothies, yogurt, and more.

It is also acts as a stabilizer.  I really appreciated this, as my spinach-laced smoothies often separate if I don’t drink them immediately.

I used Bob’s Red Mill:

A few facts about Guar (from WebMD):

• Can help treat diarrhea/IBS (lovely)
• May lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• Keeps you feeling full longer, as it is a slow digestible

 

Either way, it made my morning smoothie more milkshake-like and I’ll be using it again!

I also tried out So Delicious Coconut Milk for the first time.

It was surprisingly light!  I was expecting, you know, coconut milk.  This coconut milk was somewhere between almond milk and rice milk on the thick-scale.

I tried the unsweetened version, and liked it.  Coconut milk definitely won’t replace almond, but I’d buy it again.  I’d really like to try the vanilla flavor.

Since the base of this smoothie is pumpkin, I think it is worthy of being named the “Tardy Smoothie.”  You guys know what I’m talking about… right?  In Cinderella where she risks turning into a pumpkin if she’s late?

The Tardy Smoothie

• 1/2 C So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk
  
• 1/2 tsp Guar Gum
• 1/4 C pumpkin
• 1/4 C blueberries
• 1/4 C oatmeal
  
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• handful of spinach
• ice + water, to taste

 

Toss everything in the blender, blend away, and enjoy the thickness!

Note: A little bit of Guar Gum goes a loooong way.

***

Do you have the same problem getting out the door in the morning? 

What is the culprit?!