White Nectarine Orange Blossom Smoothie

White peaches, white nectarines, white cherries, white tea. Racial implications aside, there's something about the "white" flavor that's more delicate. An orange nectarine is assertive and heady. Being a stone fruit it doesn't have strong bass notes, but it's medium-bodied. An alto sax, let's say.

But a white nectarine is more ephemeral in a piccolo or harp sort of way. A white peach is more easily damaged.

There are occasions for both, just as there are occasions for a voluptuous Cabernet and a barely-there Pinot Grigio. For me, I like something in between -- something that has the perfumed air of a white fruit, and the oomph of its more pigmented cousin.

So this is just that, a white nectarine smoothie fortified with banana and pear. The orange blossom water ties it together. Orange blossom water is very strong -- you only need 3 drops or else your smoothie will taste like soap. But it also plays hide-and-seek within the flavors, sometimes there, sometimes not, sometimes totally in your face.

RECIPE: In a blender, add one banana, one pear, and one white nectarine. All cut of course. Add three drops of orange blossom water, a handful of ice, and enough water for the blender to catch. Serves 2-3.

Chia Kale Cappuccino

It's times like these that I really feel like a parody of myself.

But you know, I do like green smoothies. And I like chia. And I like kombucha and excellent latte art.

And yet, there's a part of me that rebels against that $12/bottle mentality. Or the imbalance of juicing for 5 days and gorging for 15.

I made the Chia Kale Cappuccino because I wanted something a little more substantial than a juice. But more vibrant than coffee. This is a Sunday-morning-after-a-workout sort of drink, the type of thing that you can sip virtuously, ponderously, tranquilly.

The chia seeds are the energy-bestowing base. The kale is the cleansing head. I never attempted latte art, but maybe I'll give it a shot with a kefir foam or something.

RECIPE: Beforehand, add 1/4 cup of chia seeds to 2 cups of the milk of your choice. I like unsweetened almond milk. Let the chia seeds inflate overnight. You'll have lots leftover for your other chia milk needs.

Next morning, make the kale smoothie to your liking. I put in some combination of apple, pear, orange, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, cucumber, bananas, and mint. If you're gonna go green, stay away from beets, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.

Add chia seed milk to bottom of glass and gently pour kale smoothie on top. When you're making the smoothie, make sure it's less dense than the chia milk.

Note to chia neophytes: Should you wipe your counter of chia seeds, you will later find them sprouting in your sponge! Pretty gross, I know.