I used to dread Sundays. This horrible, nauseating fear would creep up around noon, when I’d start counting down the hours to looming deadlines. Working over weekends was pretty much par for the course at my previous job, which I never really questioned. “If everyone’s working it’s not so bad, right? This is the norm.”
I’ll spare you a rant, you can read how that saga ended here. But quick word of advice? Anytime you find yourself in the majority and it doesn’t necessarily feel good, it’s time to reflect and reevaluate.
Anyway, now I sort of love Sundays. I take Luce to the park then put on some jazz, make a big breakfast and read or write (funny how I don’t mind working on the weekend when it’s work I’m digging). Nothing beats a slow Sunday morning with a couple cups of coffee.
I am admittedly pretty boring when it comes to coffee. I don’t have a french press or an espresso machine or anything fun, and I drink it black. But on the weekends it’s nice to feel a little fancy, yes? I was craving a smoothie on Sunday, so when I saw a recipe for this one made with cold brew coffee and maple water I just hadta have it.
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Hang on. Maple water?
Yes, maple water. Apparently it’s the new coconut water. I’m a fan of coconut water for the natural hydration, but maple water had me at half the sugar. I was intrigued. The kind folks at DRINKmaple sent us a few samples to try and filled us in on the facts:
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Contains one single ingredient: maple sap
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Obtained by sustainably tapping the trunks of American-grown maple trees on USDA-certified organic family-run farms in Vermont
- Contains 46 naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, antioxidants and prebiotics
- Naturally low in sugar, calories, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and non-GMO
- Contains more manganese than may be found in a cup of kale, an important mineral for bone health, calcium absorption, thyroid function, blood sugar regulation, immune function and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates
Okay, CTK-approved on the nutrition front. But how does it taste? Not too unlike coconut water, but I’d argue better. It’s sweet with a hint of maple, but really subtle. Refreshing, but not overpowering. I’m a fan.
So back to the smoothie; DRINKmaple included a recipe on the box, and I threw in a banana because potassium, right? Oh man guys, this is sooooo good you’re going to love it. Here’s what to blend.
Maple Coffee Smoothie
Ingredients
One cup DRINKmaple
One cup cold brew coffee (I used Gradys, but any type of coffee, cold brew or not, would work here)
One frozen banana
One teaspoon pure maple syrup
One teaspoon vanilla extract
One tablespoon chia seeds
Method
Blend away!
You can buy DRINKmaple products online here, or locate a store here. They’re currently available at nearly 800 stores throughout the Northeast, New York City, and Greater New York area ranging from Whole Foods Market to independent fitness studios and small health foods stores. In July 2015, following sap season (yep, that’s a thing), they plan to expand distribution to the Southeast, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. The product will soon be found in over 1,000 stores, so you can get your DRINKmaple on all over the place.