The Incredible Hulk aka Kale Ginger Apple Smoothie

I started making these kale ginger apple smoothies last summer, after having one at a juice cart in SE Portland. They called their smoothie The Incredible Hulk. It was insanely good (for being green), and my (at the time) 7-year-old loved the smoothie as much as I did.

The only problem was that it was kinda pricey, being close to $5 a pop. Consistent with the cart's SE Portland location,  the ingredients were organic, from local farms, which helps explain the spendy price tag.

Totally obsessed with the idea that I could make a similar smoothie (also from organic, local produce, of course), for less than $5, I reviewed a bunch of different recipes on the internet. After many smoothies, I came up with this recipe that I now make all the time. I have sometimes served it as a replacement for veggies and beverages at mealtimes, so I don't feel as badly about serviding something like pizza.

Kale Ginger Apple Smoothie

In a blender, crush:

1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and rough chopped
3-4 ice cubes

Add:
1/2 banana
1/2 apple, cored and rough chopped
2 handfuls chopped kale (roughly 1.5-2 cups loosely packed; I buy mine in a bag which makes the process way faster)
8 oz apple cider

Blend until smooth. Yields about 16-20 ounces, or 2 servings. According to my My Fitness Pal app, the total calories is 257.

Enjoy!

My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

The boys and I are home today in observance of President's Day, so this was our morning activity.  Cooking is not really my thing.  I do it out of necessity and would rather sew on any given day.  However,  I do get the urge to bake every once in a while, so I thought I'd share my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.

The Corelle plate is part of the same set we used growing up, so it's a testament to durability (and nostalgic 70s kitsch).

This recipe produces a buttery, not-too-sweet, chewy cookie.  Just a few notes though if you do decide to try it:

• Try to use semi-sweet (or even dark) chocolate chips -- milk chocolate will make the cookies too sweet (IMHO); 
• Make sure your butter and eggs come to room temperature;
• I added 1/4 teaspoon baking powder just to give it a little lift (the original recipe produces a really chewy but flat cookie just using baking soda, but I like a little oomph in my cookie); and
• Enjoy!