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Simply Tofu:
Breakfast of Champions
by R. Ohlgren-Evans, from the July 2005 newsletter
Against all odds, my family has produced an athlete. For generations, and to the dismay of many (notably the in-laws and high school coaches), our long and lanky, dominant-gene, Nordic limbs didn’t come with any talent in the jump, run, throw, or dribble departments. Nor did the competitive spirit one needs to make any of those skills relevant materialize in our DNA. ‘A pity,’ many have muttered. ‘What a waste,’ we have heard.
But then, one of my brothers married a former swim team member. One couldn’t tell at first glance that Teri was an athlete (or perhaps it was just our historically untrained eyes) – but as we watched her stalwart homemaking, house building, and child-rearing techniques, we knew she had it in her to be a bold and stringent trainer.
So, apparently, did the local swim team. My nephew and two nieces spent their formative years in the pool and by the time Ava came along, her amphibious upbringing seemed as natural as eating and breathing (I checked – no gills). Ava started swimming competitively at age 4. At 17, she holds 5 state records and ranks 12th in the nation (in the 200 IM) following last year’s Olympic trials.
This kind of effort takes numbing dedication. I visit Ava and her family in Michigan each summer and get to witness the family in motion. The morning routine is particularly rigorous and well honed. The birdsong has just started when Teri wakes. She taps once on Ava’s door, I hear the blender whirr, and minutes later Ava and Teri pull out of the driveway to head to the first of two practices that day (Ava will tally 10,000 meters in the pool by day’s end).
The rest of us luxuriate in soft sheets for many more moments – often Ava is back home and grabbing the rest of her morning sleep before family members appear for breakfast. For those among us who like to sneak a quiet cup of tea and a few moments with the newspaper before the household comes to life, we know to reach for the remnants of the blended drink that Teri makes at sunup – a smoothie prepared with fruit and tofu that fortifies Ava in the cool air and water of the Bulldog Aquatic Center’s frigid morning pool. We know goodness when we taste it, and one can’t help but feel a wee bit of Ava’s vigor when we share her morning tonic. For most of us, it’s as close as we’ll get to such merit and distinction. But one never knows…stranger things have happened….my family has produced an athlete.
Many of the following recipes call for frozen fruit. You can purchase frozen fruit, or freeze your own in season. For best results – freeze clean, prepared fruit in a single layer on a cookie sheet. After it is frozen (2-4 hours), store fruit in freezer bags or containers and it will be easier to grab a handful at a time. Frozen bananas should be peeled first, then cut into thirds. In place of frozen fruit, use fresh and add some ice cubes.
Ava’s Gold Medal Tofu Smoothie
Ava’s mom uses orange juice, and often omits the oatmeal. She varies
the fruit, depending on what’s at hand.
1/2 block soft tofu, or silken tofu
3/4 cup fruit juice or rice milk
1 frozen banana
2-3 frozen strawberries, or any other fruit
1 tsp sugar or honey (optional)
1/3 cup uncooked oatmeal (optional)
Blend until creamy. Makes 3-4 servings.
Mango-Berry Tofu Smoothie
Once you’ve started making smoothies, you’ll adjust the ingredients
to meet your tastes and accommodate your pantry.
1 cup chopped mango
1 cup milk
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries or strawberries
1/2 cup soft tofu, or silken tofu
1 to 2 teaspoons honey (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 ice cubes
In a blender or food processor place mango, milk, raspberries, tofu, honey and vanilla. Cover and process until smooth. Add ice cubes; process until blended. Makes 2-3 servings.
Fresh Summer Berry Smoothie
Another variation on a fruit smoothie – this one calls for fresh fruit.
Any of these ideas can be combined for more winning combinations!
4 oz soft tofu, or silken tofu
1/2 cup milk
1 cups strawberries
1/2 cup blueberries
Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth. Makes 1 serving.
Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Smoothie
Peanut butter is a hearty addition to any smoothie if you’re looking
for a dose of good protein and a different taste. You can leave out the banana
for a plain PB-Chocolate smoothie, or omit the banana and PB if you want a
real chocolate treat.
1/3 cup soft tofu, or silken tofu
1 frozen banana
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1-1 ½ cup soymilk
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1-2 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients until very smooth. Makes 2 servings.
Robin Ohlgren-Evans knows firsthand that lack of athletic talent has nothing to do with the capacity to be a rabid fan (GO AVA-NATOR!) and if Ava gets to Beijing 2008, the bulkhead seats will be crammed with the hairy, blonde legs of our people.
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