Smoothie, floors and craft

I never thought I would see the day!  Sylvia is finally drinking smoothies.  Given that I haven't find time to post much else today, I thought I would share today's smoothie.  I will also tell you about a few other things that have been distracting me from my blogging.

Below is are three photos representing before, during and after our bathroom floor was updated, thanks to a couple of rotting floorboards.  It is never fun having to have this sort of work done.  Lining up our (very helpful) handyman to pull up the lino and the people to lay the vinyl the next day was lots of fun.
 

I was sorry to loose the retro lino pattern but it seems that lino (or vinyl, which is far easier to find these days than lino) comes in quite boring patterns of wood grain and marble these days.  I include a picture of the old floorboards because they reminded me of an ancient map of the world.

Above is today's craft project.  E brought home a Pringles crisps tube for Sylvia to transform.  I did most of winding the wool.  Sylvia was too busy watching Playschool and playing with her neighbours.  It was a little tricky for her anyway.  She did enjoy helping stick some spots on. (NB a few of the little pom poms fell off before drying.)  We are not the only ones with this idea.  Mr Maker was doing some art with Pringles crisps tubes today too.

Sylvia will always eat crisps.  For a long time, however, she has refused to drink smoothies.  At last she is starting to embrace them.  Perhaps she shares my disappointment in winter fruit.  It is a time of year when it is far harder to be excited about fruit.  I find it difficult to explain to her why I keep refusing her requests to buy cherries from America in the middle of our winter.

I had a little look at the open access section of the Medical Journal of Australia yesterday.  It details the health needs of vegetarians.  While it is very positive about people being able to get adequate nutrition from a vegetarian diet, it is always overwhelming to see the range we need to watch out for.

I added chia seeds to the smoothie at the last minute and both of us enjoyed it.  I also had spinach in my smoothie but sylvia prefers hers pink (as you can see in the photos).  Give her time and maybe she will come round.  I have recorded approximate quantities below.  My smoothies are always rather thick.  Sylvia struggled with her straw and used a spoon for some of it.  Lovely with cheese on toast or some barley soup.

Previously on Green Gourmet Giraffe:
One year ago: Olive oil bread and calzone
Two years ago: Pumpkin soup for busy days
Three years ago: Slideshows, Nostalgia and Hedgehog
Four years ago: Pumpkin Pancakes on Parade
Five years ago: PPN#19: You say tuna, I say tempeh!

Raspberry, apricot and chia smoothie
serves 2-3

1 banana, broken into chunks
2/3 cup frozen raspberries
5-6 halves of stewed apricots in juice
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup soy milk
handful of baby spinach (optional)

Blend and slurp.

On the stereo:
Unknown Deutschland: the Krautrock Archive, vol 1: Various Artists