Cravings...

I went from a nonchalant eater to someone who knows exactly what she's hungry for at all times. It's like I hardly know myself anymore, though I'm more in tune with what my body needs than ever.

This morning at 3am I woke up craving a Pina Colada. I woke Brady up, talked to him about my dream drink, and as he drifted back to sleep I realized that I was not going to get what I desired. So this morning when it was really time to get up (10AM) I was a woman on a mission. I wanted that drink.

Walmart was first on our agenda today. We ran out of toilet paper sometime during the night and started using napkins. I don't know why we let it go that far. I woke up feeling sick like usual. I know now that the only thing that makes me feel better is a nice little bland breakfast but the smell of the kitchen, the pantry, and the fridge was not worth braving for the relief the food would bring my churning stomach.

I decided a hard shell taco from Taco Bell would do. We made our way out the door after I peed for the third time. We payed rent, we ate a couple tacos, we deposited a few checks, and then off to Walmart we went!

Do you know how hard it is to find Coconut Milk at Walmart? Nearly impossible. But we found it along with the toilet paper and 80 dollars worth of other things that we deemed 'must haves'.

We play fought about who would put the groceries away, and who would do the dishes as I sat down to write my government paper, my tropical drink nearly forgotten. Nearly. I finally made myself a nice little Caribbean drink with a side of Sweet Chili rice cakes, and now I am finally satisfied.

If you have the ingredients on hand or if you don't this is an awesome smoothy that will satisfy all your Pina Colada dreams.

Caribbean Colada

A Virgin Islands vacation in a glass

Mango, banana, coconut milk, pineapple — this lush treat is like a visit to the tropics. Making your smoothies with frozen fruit is a good idea for two reasons: You're more likely to have it on hand —   any time of the year —   and frozen fruit makes for a thicker, more shake-like smoothie. Furthermore, there's no need to add crushed ice, which just waters down the flavor.

Ingredients

¾ cup frozen mango or peach slices
1 medium banana, frozen and sliced

¾ cup vanilla yogurt

½ cup unsweetened coconut milk

¼ cup pineapple juice

2 Tbsp wheat germ, if desired (I left this part out)

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in blender or food processor and process until pureed. Pour into a tall glass and serve.

Makes 1 tall glass.

Nutritional Information

• 1 serving = 380 calories
• Protein: ½ serving
• Vitamin C: 1½  servings
• Calcium: 1 serving
• Green/yellow fruit: 1 serving
• Other fruit: 1 serving