I’m eating only purple foods today.

Needless to say, I'm just beside myself. I mean, Prince. #Prince. PRINCE!

True, I hadn't sung any of his songs, and, I'll admit, I don't own any of his albums. BUT we had lots in common as musical mavens and eyeliner experts. And we're both from Minneapolis! (I hear there's something in the water.)

His music made people want to sing, dance, and lose their virginity. I think that's a legacy worth celebrating. Don't you?

So today, I'm eating only purple foods! Of course, the only recipe I have for something purple is my divine Swoop-Me-Up Smoothie. And what better day to share it than on Earth Day? As we all know, if we want to go green, eating more plant-based foods and less meat, eggs, and dairy is one of the best ways to win the Best Friends of the Friends of the Earth Award.

This recipe has been extracted from my cookbook with one modification: you have the option of using a medjool date rather than agave nectar. As this smoothie has been my breakfast staple, I've grown to prefer the fresh date. It's a delish way to start the day. And an update for 2022: Swap out the nondairy milk for water plus a heaping scoop of Orgain vanilla protein powder. That’s what I do these days.

Be sure to use the blueberries if you want to make it purple in honor of you-know-who. Now once you whip this up, let's raise a glass and make a toast to the one and only.

Swoop-Me-Up Smoothie
Yields 1 serving
The lure of the almighty smoothie will swoop you out of bed, and it’s nutrient-packed essence will give you a lift for the day ahead. In fact, the most challenging thing about having a smoothie for breakfast is deciding how to spend all the time that you just saved by making a smoothie.

1½ cups plain nondairy milk (or 1½ cups water plus 1 heaping scoop of vanilla-flavored Orgain protein powder)
1 fresh or frozen banana
½ cup fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries, or a combination)
2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
1 tablespoon raw cashews or almonds
2 teaspoons agave nectar or 1 medjool date

Put all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Sip this through a straw while you paint your toenails, and thank your lucky stars that you bought a blender.

Tricks of the Trade

If you can’t immediately use bananas that have ripened, don’t throw them in the trash! Peel the bananas, wrap them individually in plastic wrap (to keep them from sticking together), and put them in a ziplock freezer bag. Store the bananas in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.

Not all blenders are powerful enough to blend frozen fruit on a daily basis. Frozen bananas and strawberries are particularly dense and could give your blender a conniption fit if you’re not careful. If you don’t have an exceptionally high-powered blender (above 700 watts), soak your frozen fruit in warm water for three minutes, drain, and proceed with the recipe with the somewhat softened fruit. Your blender will be so happy that you did.

Per serving: 396 calories, 13 g protein, 13 g fat (1 g sat), 68 g carbohydrates, 231 mg sodium, 499 mg calcium, 10 g fiber