“I want to thank-you
Thank you for being a friend” ~ Andrew Gold
Eli (3 years old) – September 2016
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Grandma, wanna play a game?
Of course Sweetie; race cars or funny animals?
Ummmm … cars(!)
— — —
Grandma, what are you going to be for Halloween?
I haven't decided yet. What do you think I should be?
A robot(!)
How about a beautiful princess?
Woooooow .. will you be a beautiful as Mommy?
— — —
Grandma, what's Pappa going to be for Halloween?
He hasn't said. What do you think he should be?
A robot(!)
How about a knight in shining armor?
What's that?
(Let me fill you in)
Grandma, what ‘cha ‘doin?
Making you a care package
Why?
So you'll have some snacks for the long car ride ahead
Will there be grapes?
— — —
Grandma, know what?
Do tell
I go potty in the big boy potty(!) And mommy does, and daddy does; and Harry and Sally, they go potty outside
We love them extra for that
Huh?
(Celebrate your victories, big or small)
— — —
Grandma, when will I get to see you again?
I don't know Loves; I simply don't know
Will it be a long while?
I fear it might
Eli (3 years old) – September 2016
Grandma, can I take pictures with your phone?
Remember, aim the camera at something.
At somefin'?
— — —
Grandma, can I call you every day?
I'd love that
What if I forget?
Then I'll call you, deal? Should we pinky-swear and spit-shake?
Will you be mad if I don't?
I'll think you were off playing or solving world peace, not avoiding me
World? What did you say?
(These past months I've felt a bit out of sorts. Relationships that matter have felt strained. Small hurts have snowballed into big hurts, until suddenly what once was has now become something distant and unfamiliar. I've grown weary under the enormity of it all and the expectations required of me to repair it. When the people-pleaser abandons her role, inevitably, nobody is pleased)
— — —
Grandma, where's Harry?
In the back yard working on his bone
He's digging a hole(!)
What do you think he's going to put in it?
Leaves and sticks and Sally's ball
(I bury things too)
Grandma, are you sad?
A little
My friend told me that when someone is sad, you don't run away. You hug each other
Hold that one close to your heart, dearest Eli
(Forgiveness is hard with a capital H. You think you've got it conquered, you've moved on, let it go, forgiven, forgotten and even started new. And then poof, you find yourself spiraling into old patterns)
— — —
Grandma, who's going to play with you when I'm not here?
Pappa
Yay Papa(!) He's pretty fun
(It's hard to learn, to re-learn, and not run away. To stop recoiling from past hurts, and instead, allow a hug. To offer one, too)
— — —
Grandma, will Pappa take you out for pink ice cream without me?
Probably not
With sprinkles?
Oh, Sweetie .. Grandma + ice cream .. well, it's complicated
(Clean slates are rarely ever clean)
Eli (3 years) and Sally (5 months) – October 2016
Grandma, Mommy says it's time to go
Let's find your shoes
(Even the best of bones aren't fully buried, without a whole lot of dirt, and an awful lot of grit)
— — —
Grandma, I'm going to miss you
One last hug? Promise me you'll be extra good until I get to see you again?
I wuv you
I love you too; so very very much
(But what I do know is eventually everything fades. “In a long while, Grandma.” What's acute today will soften over time if we choose it to be so. Together. If we have the courage to do the work and write something new, rather than sitting back waiting for it to come to us, or letting our feet carry us away)
— — —
Thank-you dearest Eli, for the joy you've brought to my days.
Thank you for reminding me to play.
Thank you for softening my edges
Thank you for always wondering “Grandma, how ‘ya ‘doin?”
Thank you for the gift of your love without expectation or keeping score
How I'm going to miss having you in my everydays sweet one
(One day I hope you'll know)
xoxo .. Grandma
One of our favorite ways to pass an afternoon was making smoothies. They're such a great way to have fun in the kitchen with kids, as well as sneak some fruits and veggies into their diet.
I'm in charge of the Vitamix. He handles decorating, tasting, and naming.
I've been experimenting with Blue Majik this weekend. If you follow health trends, you might have noticed it popping up everywhere.
Derived from spirulina, blue Majik is a proprietary extract of the blue-green algae Arthrospira platensis. Much like spirulina, it's known for being nutrient dense, full of vitamins (especially B12), antioxidants, enzymes, and minerals. It's one of the most nutrient-dense foods available.
It's worth noting, much like spirulina, it doesn't taste the best on its own. Although blended into something like a smoothie, it's easy to mask the flavor.
Enjoy!
xoxo
~ Adapted from E3Live
Boo Berry Superfood Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 heaping tsp E3Live Blue Majik powder
- 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- scoop protein powder (my go-to is from Dana James)
- 2 frozen bananas, sliced
- handful frozen blueberries
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 dates, pitted
- 1 coconut oil
- Pinch sea salt
- Topping ideas
- blueberries
- coconut flakes, unsweetened
- banana slices
- bee pollen
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients together and in a high-speed blender. Serve with toppings of choice
98 Comments
I’m really glad to see this post. I check your site every morning, hoping for a new post. When one shows up, it is always an unexpected delight. Thanks for continuing to share!
xo sabine
I have many reasons to be grateful for words you’ve written over the years I’ve been reading them, but right now the gentle hand of yours pointing me towards stepping away from being a people pleaser is the one I’d like to warmly shake. Lovely, and just what was needed to hear this morning.
Hi Ali,
I have been a reader and follower of your writing for a long time. I started to get into your blog because of your recipes for Ethiopian food. Then I realized that food was just a medium, it really is about your writing. You have a way with words and whatever you evolve into next will be just as beautiful as your food writing has been.
Ali-
I just love your blog because of your food writing, but also because food is life. Life feeds us, in many and continuous servings. It feeds up more than we can comprehend. But it is all good.
Take care of yourself, know you are thought about, and being sent blessings, silent recipes, and strength. Eli too. You will be fine. Eli too.
I love your writing … about food, about life, about whatever you want to write. Even more, I love the essential human-ness you bring to whatever you’re writing about. As someone who’s read every post on The Veggies, please just keep at it. You create a connection that makes me warm and happy and sure there are other friends out there that make me glad to be in this world. xx
This is such a beautiful smoothie bowl and I love the name that Eli choose for it. I hope it’s not long until you can see your precious grandson again.
I wish you and Eli much happiness, Ali, in your new lives. Separate, but still a part of each other. Thank you for your continued presence in the bloggiverse. Your lovely voice is one I hope we’ll keep hearing from for years, whether you’re talking about food, reading, grandchildren, writing or life in general 🙂
I really enjoy reading your blog! You have such a fantastic way of telling a story and setting a recipe – precious! Smoothie looks yum too!
Thank-you so much much Donna
I am intrigued by the color of the smoothie. I have never tried spirulina before but I did hear about it’s great benefits. I would love to give this smoothie a go and see how Blue Majik powder colors it. Love the way you presented the smoothie as well in the bowl.
I just love reading what you write, whether or not it’s about food! Love the color of the smoothie and I’d definitely love to give the recipe a try.
So sorry to hear that some relationships have been a bit strained at the moment, it is tough when that happens. On the plus side that smoothie looks ‘berry good’ terrible pun I know but I couldn’t resist!
The smoothy looks delicious and I just adore the colour of it. Hope everything sorts itself for you
I cried when I read this. It feels like it’s a chapter in a book and I need to find out your going to be ok. It’s so good because your pulling me in one direction with a good food recipe and then at my heart strings with the other. Have you written a novel yet? Because you should X thinking of you X X
Oh Louise .. my goodness .. thank-you for your sweet words
Such a touching post, amazing looking smoothie xo
The smoothie looks amazing but I love the way you intertwine this with the story as well.
Thank-you so much John
My favorite word is Mimi, it always melts my heart. I have three grandsons who we adore. Staying and eating healthy is so important since I want to be there for them
Mimi .. that’s beautiful. Thank-you for telling me
This smoothie bowl looks sooo good! I’ve never tried one before but I hear they’re incredible.
This is completely gorgeous <3 and your photos are stunning. Love x
The words between Eli and Grandma are so touching. Your photos are beautiful and the smoothie looks delicious.
What a beautiful color! I have tried spirulina, but not Blue Majik. I like that you only used a heaping teaspoon. I could never use more than that in a smoothie!
What a very heartfelt post for your grandson. He’s so adorable! I hope you guys get to spend more time together. I really like smoothie bowls! This looks so good! I’m keeping the recipe!
I am smoothie obsessed so I’m trying it! And your son is so cute!
Eli looks so sweet. I love your smoothie as well. Looks so deliciously made. I’ll try to do this too.
Such a vibrant colour in this smoothie and such a cute post x
Smoothies are so good, and there are so many different variations. This recipe sounds delicious! Will have to give it a try. Love your story, too. 🙂
aww that grandma and grandson bond is so special, and how amazing does the smoothie look! I’m loving the colour!
My favorite thing about my grandma was the conversations with her. There is a true bond between a grandchild and grandparent. Such sweet conversations between you and your grandson.
This blueberry oatmeal would be a hit with my boys. They love blueberries. It looks delicious!
Aww… absolutely love the conversation with Grandma & also loving the smoothie..never heard of Majik powder..would love to try it out now !! Your pics are super tempting! love your creative display too! My lil one would love it!
What a cute boy! This smoothie looks and sounds amazing we love smoothies in our house we have them daily will have to try this, thank you!
I love how you tell the story of times with your Grandson, so precious…
This smoothie looks delicious and what a great name!
This looks delicious! The photos of the smoothie bowl are absolutely beautiful too – love the blue in it!
Kayleigh x
Thank you for sharing so honestly and generously. I have loved the last few posts as you reflect on the huge changes in your life. Life, relationships, identity–all are so much more complicated than we sometimes assume. x
Such a beautiful post! My favourite part is: “My friend told me that when someone is sad .. you don’t run away. You hug each other” I’m gonna keep sharing this!
I have never tried a smoothie bowl before, this sounds lovely, I need to make it one day
The colour of that smoothies is amazing, I need to try this I bet it tastes wonderful. Hope you get to see your grandson soon he sounds like a fun little man.
hahahah what an adorable post! i loved it and such a cutie pie doggie too
Awesome recipe thanks just what i needta try
Beautiful post as always! You have a special way presenting your recipe. Love your food photography! I’d love to try this smoothie recipe.
The conversations between Eli and Grandma is heart-touching. As for the smoothie, never had one of these before and actually have no idea about spirulina and blue majik so it’s good I’ve come across this post of yours.
I really want to try a smoothie bowl, I’d love to try this one! xo
Oh wow, the color on that alone makes me want to give it a try!!
I have tears in my eyes! Miss my grandmother so much! on a side note, that smoothie looks delicious!
It looks amazing, I don’t really get enough berries in my diet so might try out this recipe.
Wow, such a perfect smoothie bowl this is looks good and yummy, btw I love the shot too
This post make me cry. My grand mother was one my favorite persons whom I lost 3 years back. I hope you meet your grand son very soon! I l am not usually a berry person but this sounds and looks yummy! pinning it
It does look like an amazing smoothie. I really do love blueberries. I love them when they are still slightly tart though. I am not sure why but they taste the best to me that way.
Smoothie bowls are one of my favorite new discoveries. I have always made smoothies, but I like the bowl idea and this is a fun one for Halloween 🙂
As a Nana to 5 boys (no girls in sight . . . yet), I laughed at some of the conversations between you and your grandson. Then my heart broke when I read some of your words. I also want to keep reading to see what happens next.
This is just too sweet! What precious conversations. I’m sure my kids have had similar ones with my parents.
The smoothie bowl looks delicious!
It’s amazing how kids really help put things in perspective isn’t it? I’m sure the time you spent with your grandson will create memories for years to come.
Oh, the conversations we have with kids are always too precious! I love having long chats with my 6 year old. The stuff she says is truly mind-blowing sometimes.
Sounds like my conversations with my grandchildren. Love it when they pick up their moms phone and FaceTime. Making smoothies sounds like a fun tradition we must start doing.
While it made me laugh that he wanted you to dress as a robot for Halloween, the fact that he recognized that you were feeling sad touched my heart. Children sometimes pick up on emotions than we can but it is beautiful that he wanted to call you everyday. That is truly a special bond. A beautiful smoothie as well x
This is a great recipe. We keep fresh blueberries in our fridge at all times. Our teenage daughter is vegan, so she eats everyday in breakfast, and sometimes as a snack.
Wow this is so true “When the people-pleaser abandons her role .. inevitably .. nobody is pleased” and clean slates really are never fully clean. I know I am mostly just quoting your words but this really hit me: “It’s hard to learn .. to re-learn .. and not run away. To stop recoiling from past hurts .. and instead .. allow a hug. To offer one .. too” I am going through something with a family member right now, no it is she who is going through something. I am a bystander, trying to help, not sure the help is wanted. I will ask her to read this. Thank you. On a side note, your smoothie looks fantastic.
I love to start my day with a smoothie. Blue majik would be great to start adding to my morning routine. I will have to give this recipe a try. Being a Grandma is one of the best things ever.
Yum! Oh I love the colour of this. Most of the time colours of smoothies really turn me off and I tend to look away! But this one I could do for sure, it looks really great! My kids would love the colour too!
Now this is what I call a smoothie! I love blueberries and you can’t go wrong adding them to your favorite smoothie. I can’t wait to try this.
So beautiful, Eli is indeed a sweet child always asking his grandma, how you’re doing.. It was really very adorable post. I can only relate it to my grandma who loves me so much even till day when she is past 80’s. And this smoothie seems to be an instant hit, love the blue tinge to it!
Those conversations are super cute! Making smoothies together must be fun! This one sounds really good.
Sounds like you are enjoying lots of quality time with your family. What a cute grandson!
I love the colors and ingredients in this smoothie bowl. I’ll have to check out that blue spirulina!
This story made me miss my Grandma. We were so very close. My Mom passed away when I was 20 so she took over from there. I think about her almost every day and wonder what she would think of my life now. I hope she’d be pleased that I’m happy.
That blueberry smoothie bowl looks delicious!! I need to try that some time!
Wow, you create great content! That smoothie bowl looks delish. I love smoothies but have never tried the Bowls. Thanks for sharing!
I’m always looking for new ideas for my breakfast and this could be it. It might work too for my son to be blended together.
I love the sweet story behind your recipe. Your grandson sounds like such a sweetie, and it sounds like you two made some really precious memories together. My fondest memories all include my grandmother, and most of those are in the kitchen. Love the name he picked for the smoothie, and it looks really yummy!
I love that you have these wonderful memories with your sweet Eli, and that you’ve chosen to share them with us. And yes, forgiveness is HARD. One of the hardest things we can do, especially when we’ve been hurt. That stuck out to me as we’re having a situation with one of my kids right now and she’s got to learn to forgive herself as well as the “friend” who hurt her. It’s not easy.
Definitely something I would enjoy for myself. Such a creative way to make smoothie. Your grandson seem to enjoy the treat so much!
My grandmother was the most important person to me as a child. She was the only stable person in my life, the only one that made me feel safe. She passed away a couple of years ago and although my mom and myself have our own differences in life, especially in child rearing, I know how important the relationship between a grandmother and her grandchildren is, it really shaped who I am and if it weren’t for my grandmother I would know I would not show restraint when people tempt me and my anger. She is still with me and I will always carry her with me.
He is so precious!! You are one lucky grandma. 😉 My son loves when I make him smoothie bowls. It has been a great breakfast option for our whole family. I will have to let him try this recipe because he loves berries. My smoothies never look like yours though! ha!
A touching and poignant account of the sweet relationship between a Grandma and grandson. Brought a tear in the eyes, remembered the time with my own grandparents.
You have no idea what this post have done to me. It reminded me of the beautiful days I used to spend with my grand parents, the grand parents I miss so so much and wish I could meet again, and spend even half an hour with them, even 15min would be awesome, I just wanna see them again :'(
What sweet little conversations with a sweet little boy. He’s wise beyond his little years.
These are the kind of moments you would treasure forever. Your grandson is so cute. I wish you two could spend more time together.
It’s amazing how kids never tire of asking questions and stop asking them as adults. Questions lead us to answers and we ought to ask more questions of each other, our leaders, our world … the smoothie adds food for thought.
Aren’t conversations with younger generations often thought-provoking? It is quite amazing how much insight our youngest humans have within them.
The conversation between you and your grandson is so cute — beautiful moments! I am also loving the color of that smoothie, pastel is so pretty. Looks delicious and the eyes make it super adorable. Yummy, thanks for the recipe!
Spunky little kid. He has a ton of questions. Looks like he did a great job decorating the smoothie. It looks delicious!
What is E3Live Blue Majik powder all about? Is it dense in protein, or what? That boo berry bowl looks so delish….now i just need a hand blender for my camper 🙂
Great Post! Amusing conversation between you and your Grandson. Beautiful photos of him, he is so charming and funny. Now that smoothie sounds to die for so I have pinned the recipe. It not only looks delicious but it is healthy too, definitely going to try it. Thank-you for sharing. xoxo
He is a cutie. Forgiveness and breaking old habits can be very challenging under certain circumstances. It can be surprising what we buy without even realizing we’ve buried it, and what it’s like when it gets uncovered once again.
He’s such an adorable 3 year old. He’s handsome and intelligent. I can’t ignore those delicious smoothies .
That looks so amazing! you should open up shop. I’ve never seen that
Hi Alison. So much of this post made me so sad. I definitely will be thinking good thoughts for you. I did love the conversations you had with your grandchild. It would be hard to not know when you are going to see them again. Part of me worries my ex wants to take my daughter out of state so that kind of fear hangs over me all the time. That point in the post where you say the people pleaser when they stop pleasing, no one is pleased may be true. I have been that pleaser. But at some point, I don’t think anyone is truly happy when all you are doing is pleasing either. The only thing you can do is be real and be yourself. Hope things get better.
What an adorable grandson you have! Very caring. And that smoothie looks delicious. What a great idea to do with kids.
I heard many good feedback about spirulina but I haven’t tried it myself. I’ll try soon and add to my smoothie 🙂
Oh my am craving for smoothies because of your post!
Little kids have such pure hearts. Loved my grandma who treat me like her baby.
Your grandson is so precious. I love grandchildren, they make my heart melt. That smoothy looks so delicious too. I love the color and the toppings, it almost looks too good to drink.
Grandson is God’s gift to us. The smoothie looks so exotic because of its ingredients and color. Almond milk and blueberries make it healthier option too. You are pampering your grandson a lot.
You are really good at writing ideas. At first, I thought this was the story you shared. Finally, it is a recipe, inspired to read. Do I want to try how smoothies taste?
Wow, you really had an adorable grandson and that smoothie was really looks delicious I would love to try this too.
Oh Alison, you and Eli really know hot to spoil us and make the most of those tasty treat days and time spent well with the little ones. We recently got a Blendtec Blender so think we whizz this beauty up over the weekend.
Your grandson is the sweetest little boy!! He is such a cutie too! It’s definitely important to treasure the time we have and relationships we have with loved ones. So sweet. And that smoothie not only looks so delicious, it is GORGEOUS too!!
That smoothie looks so delicious 🙂 and (almost) to pretty to eat ! also your grandson is so adorable and handsome 🙂
Beautiful…and heartbreaking.
Really gives a glimpse into the grandma’s (and mother’s) heart, and how so difficult it is to live with miles and hours (or days) between you and the ones you love. It’s amazing how little ones can bring such joy, such tenderness, such happiness into your life. These smoothie bowls will definitely be some that I share with my own 3-year-old <3