In high school I worked at Smoothie King. I also worked at Hallmark, which when asked where I worked, was always confused with Walmart. But that’s a story for another day. I’d drive to work early in the morning, in my ’98 dark green boxy Jetta, windows down, singing to Pink at the top of my lungs. Singing lyrics that were far too raw for my fairly happy upbringing, minus the typical high school breakups, that left me moodier than PMS, and my mom’s, thankfully, short stint with breast cancer. I lived in a self-constructed utopian bubble. It was pretty, false, yet oh so happy.
In the car rides to work, Pink slowly began deconstructing my bubble, showing me a world outside my own—a world without $5 pink smoothies, cute straws, happy families, and white picket fences that kept my bubble standing.
It ain’t easy growin up in World War III
Never knowin what love could be, you’ll see
I don’t want love to destroy me
like it has done my family
That bubble has thankfully long since been deconstructed through life experiences and just plain growing up. My world is a little more whole and a little less partial. Now I’m trying to figure out how to give my little girl pink smoothies with cute straws in even cuter glasses. And love her more than tomorrow’s uncertainty. But also teach her there’s another shade of pink. A shade that’s just as real and important, if not more. A shade that probably needs a little extra love that she’ll hopefully have stored in her reserves. I say this often but rarely live it out—to whom much is given, much is expected. I guess that’s really what I want to teach her. My good friend Kelsey also says—we teach the things we need to learn the most. Point taken.
• Under the weather? Break open an echinacea tablet into your smoothie as you add the other powders.
• In need of extra folic acid? Add in a tablespoon of wheat germ.
• Protein lover? Add in a tablespoon of plain protein. Note, this will change the texture of the smoothie. Protein yields a fluffier, more airy smoothie.
PS—check out my post over at Mint today.
PPS—the super cute glass pictured is from the oh so lovely Sarah.
This is such a sweet post, Melissa. I grew up in the same sort of safe., happy bubble and always felt a little jilted out of a more “urban”, culturally rich upbringing where I hung out with leather-clad hooligans who smoked DuMaurier cigarettes and stayed out past 9pm on school nights. Alas, it’s nice to have those cozy memories of happy, simple childhood/teenage-hood. Life seems to have it’s own way of providing you with the more rugged terrain others experienced far too early.
Your little girl is lucky to have you for all the shades of pink to come. <3
so entertaining to think of jobs past, right? I worked at a spin studio and had to clean up after strangers sweaty bodies. Making smoothies sounds like it would have been a bit more enjoyable. Nonfat milk powder…interesting. I will take your word for it, smoothie queen. Love the “to much is given, much is expected” and Kelsey’s, of course. I always need reminders.
I absolutely loved your words in this post and can relate on every level [except the being preggo thing ;)]. Also, this smoothie? Yes.
Love all the pink in this! Great post. Also, smoothies that burp are always the best 😉
Yum! This sounds delicious…even without any cake!
I’ve never heard of such a creation, but these are going on my “to make and consume” list! Beautiful pics and post, again.
This sounds ridiculously good. Thanks lady!
This looks fabulous! I’ve never been to a smoothie king, but know I would like this anyway! Also, I used to listen to a lot of Pink too…so good.
Working at a Hallmark was my very first job! The little old ladies who ran the store would let me eat a caramel on every shift, and I remember getting lost reading all the cards while I was supposed to be straightening up. I used to wonder when it would be my turn to purchase or receive wedding shower, baby shower, sympathy, or “You’re My Best Friend!” cards. Life brings us all these things and more, and I think a sweet pink bubble is a just fine for our babes to grow up in, as long as we demonstrate compassion, perseverance and strength for the times in life when that bubble bursts open.
P.S. I live in Minneapolis just like Sarah K., and I recognize your mug from one of my favorite little local shops!
Smoothie king was my first job. I think you have the recipe exact! 😉 I still remember the smell, it was a great first job perfect place to get my feet wet for the rest of the world ahead of me.
Lacey , I see you worked at smoothie King also!!Well im desperate for the recipe to the Power Punch Plus if you remeber it!!!! Thanks 🙂
This post makes me feel old….Pink was not on the radio when I was in high school…or college. I can thank Madonna for making me realize there was more in the world to experience than the life i had grown up knowing. Great post, you’re going to be a wonderful mother!
Any substitution suggestions for the milk powder? I don’t usually have it on hand! Thanks!
It’ll definitely change the flavor and consistency of the smoothie, but you can sub the water and powdered milk for regular milk. We keep powdered milk on hand just for smoothies, but don’t really use it for anything else, so I hear ya!
I love the name— it adds to the mystique of this beautiful pink drink.
This sounds so good! I always use yogurt in my smoothies, but will have to try some milk powder. And, I’m glad you like your glass! 🙂
Now that is a smoothie, it is so gorgeous!
What a cute post and this smoothie sounds delicious!
Huge fan of homemade smoothies and love the accompanying story – my first ‘job’ (if you can call it that, it certainly didn’t feel like work at the time) was singing in the children’s choir when the musical Joseph was first shown in Germany. Although rehearsals and performances took up a lot of time for a 10 year old, I loved being on stage (and being backstage!) and the money I earned helped to pay for my first camera (carefully selected with my dad who took me (without my 3 siblings!) to a camera shop so we could carefully assess all the options!).
YOU. Love you, lady. Loving the little miss more and more every day too. How cool is it that these little humans have hundreds, thousands of cheerleaders before they ever arrive. Seriously. I think it’s pretty special. So much good juju. My first job was at Ben & Jerry’s, I think I ate my weight in Cherry Garcia that summer. Back when my metabolism was a workhorse. I’ve never been to a Smoothie King! I’m not sure we had those out in CA. Love the nostalgia in this recipe. 🙂
Hugs, my friend.
Ooo…I’ll have to find some dry milk powder to add to my smoothie routine. Love the sound of this flavor combo! I’m sure you’ll be such a good mom and know what’s best 🙂
I, too, once worked at Hallmark. Working there was like a “little pink bubble of it’s own”. I loved working there… except for my boss! This looks so good – and so good for you!
Hmm… never put water in my smoothies before. Usually juice or non-dairy milk. I’ll have to listen for the burp next time too… I have never noticed before!
Brilliant….oy vey, can relate to your high school times……so, this smoothie sounds good…does the milk powder give it the angel food effect? Did Smoothie King ever use eggs? I remember a smoothie place called Orange Julius that had egg in their smoothies, would make it really frothy. Yum. Going to get powder and go for it this week! x
That’s a good question. I think not, only because they used the milk powder in all the smoothies. I could never figure out if it was a money saver or a texture secret. Ever since working there though, I always use milk powder. The name of the smoothie is entirely misleading. Good thing it tastes so good 🙂 You’ll have to let me know what you think! And I don’t think they did any eggs in the smoothies, however, some of them had an egg protein powder. Money saver again?
I’m obsessed with Angel Food from Smoothie King, so I just made this and have died and gone to heaven! Thank you sooooo much!
So glad you liked it!
Hi!
I actually just discovered the angle food smoothie from Smoothie King about a week ago. I couldn’t stop going back to get them so I searched for recipes and came across this blog post, thanks so much for sharing! I just made it, and it did taste much like it, however for some reason it was not really cold and really foamy. The foam texture was more of a concern than the temperature. Any idea what I may have done wrong? I did use protein but as listed in the recipe. Thank you!!
Hmm, I’m thinking it has to do with the ice and blender. Some blenders don’t handle ice as well. They take longer to blend the ice yielding a foamy result. But if you have a high-powered blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec), you may want to try adding a bit more ice. Hope this helps! Let me know if it’s still not working and I’ll do more digging.
This recipe looks great!! Im completely addicted to smoothie Kings Power Punch plus , and bought all the ingredients and can never get it right 🙁 I will try this one as soon as i get home ! Thanks 🙂 Vicky C