Pay It Forward

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This morning, before leaving town to start seeing my patients for the day, I decided to make a quick stop at Starbucks for a black coffee and a banana. (These aren't typically items that one has to go to Starbucks for, but I didn't get around to the grocery store this weekend. We all have our weaknesses, and sometimes, after a long week, I like to do nothing on the weekend.)

When I pulled up to Starbucks, I noticed the drive-thru line was long - like, really long; however, as I was about to park, the line began to move. So I took my chances.

Much to my surprise, it didn't take long for me to order and get to the window. As I pulled up and began to hand my card over to the guy, he informed me that the lady in front of me had paid for my order. 

This has actually happened to me a few times (mostly around Christmas), but every time I'm immediately flooded with gratefulness. It's such a small gesture, but it's so thoughtful and generous. 

After being taken back by her generosity, I proceeded to pay for the car behind me. When I told the guy behind the window I wanted to do so, he threw his arms in the air and shouted with excitement as if he had just made the winning basket at the buzzer of a championship basketball game. 

I just smiled and waited for an explanation for his behavior... 

He then went on to explain I was the seventh consecutive person in line to pay it forward. So every one in front of me in that line had their order paid for by the person in front of them, which is pretty awesome. It honestly made my day - and I wondered all day how long this gesture continued. 

It was a great reminder that people are good and generous. 

Making the Most of Brown Bananas

Sometimes Most times bananas go to our counter to die a slow, brown death. I'm particular about bananas. I like to eat them slightly ripe; I can't eat them when they are still firm and I can't eat them when they're too mushy. It's one of the few things I'm kind of a snob about. 

So by the time I set my newly bought bananas on the counter and let them ripen a bit, I usually forget they're there, and then once I remember - boom, brown. 

I typically throw them out because if I keep them them around to make banana bread, I'll eat it all. Seriously. Bread is my weakness. 

I recently bought an entire bunch (is that what it's called?) of yummy bananas - I usually pick a cluster that has five. So I sat them on my counter, forgot about then, and a few days later they were brown and mushy. I was tired of throwing them away and I was also (and currently) on a smoothie kick. I knew I couldn't use five in one smoothie, so I froze them. 

It's a pretty simple process to prepare. Collect your brown bananas. 

Chop (or in my case, break) them into small pieces. 

Put them in baggies and be sure to get as much air out as possible to avoid freezer burn. 

When you're ready to make a smoothie, throw them in there!

Boom. You got a smoothie. 

This is my current favorite smoothie. I was inspired by Island Green (ah, love those things!). 

Green Smoothie (makes two):

1/2 cup frozen mango

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

1/2 frozen banana

1 container of vanilla greek yogurt*

1 hand full of spinach

2 hand fuels of kale

ice and water as needed

*I'm not a big yogurt fan. At all. In fact, I try to avoid most dairy when possible, but I add it for the vanilla flavor and the protein. 

If you don't like smoothies (weirdo…) here are a few other ideas for your brown bananas.