There are few tasks more daunting than trying to eat healthfully (especially for the CTNOW food team, constantly sampling the best calories in Connecticut all in the name of journalism). So when we heard about Fresh Monkee’s smoothies on the Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield (there’s one in Glastonbury, too), we hoped this could be a delicious way to trick ourselves into ingesting some nutrients — for once.
Let’s be clear: These are not juices. Fresh Monkee’s liquid-lunch philosophy is anti-juice. Putting fruits and veggies through a juicer removes the fiber. Fiber will keep you feeling fuller longer; without it, you’re just drinking sugar, and you’re eventually going to crash.
The backbone ingredients of Fresh Monkee’s smoothies are milk, protein powder, fruits and vegetables. Non-dairy and gluten-free options are available, too.
“It doesn’t feel like I’m drinking something healthy” said my friend. He tried the Peppermint Patty, made with chocolate protein powder, mint extract, a sugar-free cookie and milk. He compared it to a milkshake, but not as thick.
The Ultimate Green, a water-based smoothie made with pomegranate, spinach, apple, banana, cucumber, chia, ginger, flax and pineapple, reminded another friend of the green smoothies she makes at home.
We also tried the Hazelnut Monkee: banana, chocolate protein, milk and Nutella; and the Nutmeg State, with pumpkin spice, vanilla protein, banana, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract and milk.
I went for the meal size Chunkee Monkee (32 ounces rather than that 24-ounce snack size). Made with chocolate or vanilla protein powder, blended with milk (I subbed for almond milk), banana, and peanut or almond butter. It had that milkshake flavor and kept me full and satisfied well into the afternoon.
These liquid lunches didn’t feel like sacrifices and were great on-the-go alternatives. No doubt I’ll be making more smoothie runs in the future for the team.
FRESH MONKEE, 933 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield, and 30 Welles St. and 113 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays in Wethersfield; open Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Glastonbury. thefreshmonkee.com.
