In the name of science, I did a little experiment this morning. Remember how I wrote that I don’t cry when cutting onions? Everyone said it was my contact lens. So I took ‘em off, chopped a big old onion, and guess what? No tears. Explain that!
The real miracle was that I chopped an onion without contacts or glasses on and didn’t cut off a finger.
Smoooooooooooooothie.
Anyone remember the Chocolate Cherry Bomb smoothie that was very popular in the blog world about three years ago? I tried to find the original recipe link but couldn’t (anyone know it?). Basically, it included frozen cherries, raw spinach, chocolate syrup, a banana, and milk/soy milk.
Here’s a twist on the original goodness. Yum.
Cherry-Strawberry Smoothie
1 cup soy milk
1 banana
6 frozen cherries
3 frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Protein powder (side note: you guys were right… that Pea Protein is perfectly yummy if you add a sweetener)
A few drop of stevia or squirt of another sweetener (agave, honey, etc.)
Have a good one!
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Funny! What about the type of onion? I noticed that when I cut red onion or sweet onion that I don’t tear up, but when I cut a regular yellow onion, I have to go to a completely different room to rescue my eyes from pain and water. And I wear contacts
Means I only buy red or sweet onions now.
Must try chopping in my contacts and see if that works. When I chop them in my glasses I cry and cry! But only with yellow onions. Red and sweet onions don’t do it!
Do you keep your onions in the fridge before using them? That’s always my trick to stop the tears! Somehow when they’re cold they don’t release them chemical that makes us cry, or at least not as much of it!
yes i do! next experiment… try it with room temp onions
I was going to say the same thing. I cry so much less if it’s in the fridge, and I once read that if you put an onion in the freezer for a few minutes it slows down the release of the stuff that makes you teary
Ooooo okay that smoothie does sound fantastic! I love cherries, I never thought to add chocolate but it makes perfect sense!
So weird! The only time I DON’T cry is with sweet onions, so that’s all I pretty much buy now.
Every single time a make a smoothie, my husband and I say “smoooooooothie” just like in What Happens in Vegas, so the line above totally made my day
I don’t cry when chopping onions, but my poor hubby is overcome! I think it has to do with personal tolerance. Just consider yourself lucky and the official onion chopper of the family!
Hmmm…my eyes tear when I don’t have my contacts in but seem protected when I do.
If you refrigerate the onion, you most likely won’t cry.
I think this is the original… http://kristensraw.com/blog/2010/02/06/raw-vegan-recipe-video-cherry-chocolate-bomb-shake/
IIRC, wasn’t it Kristen at Kristensraw.com? I *think* anyway
But yah, it’s a delicious smoothie. I love anything with cherries!
You must have magic eyes that are immune to onions. Lucky!
I remember that smoothie too! I think this is the original recipe: http://kristensraw.com/blog/2010/02/06/raw-vegan-recipe-video-cherry-chocolate-bomb-shake/
Onions always make me cry. I store them at room temp though and I’ve heard a lot of people rave about keeping them chilled to keep the water works at bay.
Oh YUM! That smoothie looks too good.
I always used the cocoa powder over the chocolate syrup, better in my opinion
It’s been a long time since I’ve had one of those!
I want that smoothie!!!!! Sounds like dessert with a side of sneaky veggies
It was Kristen’s Raw. My eyes don’t water either! Crazy!
I don’t cry cutting onions with or without my contacts – I’ve been the family (and work, parents owned deli) designated onion cutter for a long time! My husband bawls but I don’t even shed a little tear. Oh and always room temp onions here.
Chemical reactions are slowed down at cooler temperatures, so if your onions are chilled from being kept in the fridge they’re less likely to irritate your eyes.
Not sure of the accuracy of this, but I took a cooking class once during which the instructor told us that the scent of the onion actually plays a significant role in the crying effect. She suggested breathing through your mouth to avoid the tears – I’ve tried a few times since, and it has helped. Perhaps it’s not your eyes, but your nose that is less sensitive to the onions!
So funny, I made chocolate cherry oatmeal last night and it’s the best combination. I used to be obsessed with blending frozen cherries and chocolate soy milk. Easy and addictive.
That is so bizarre! You are immune girl! Supa powers!
I cry instantly when I am cutting onions. It is a little ridiculous.
I would’ve guess contacts as well (as I didn’t comment on the last post) because when I have my contacts in, I never tear up, but then with my glasses on I’m a big wimp! I’m jealous you don’t cry either way.
That smoothie sounds delicious- definitely going to make in the future!
Caitlin, I love your blog and I hate to harp on others food choices…but, really, do you know much about Soy Milk? Have you done any research? You may say not, but ignorance is not bliss. It’s a processed food, high in estrogens and very controversial. Soy in its basic form, such as temph, miso, the beans are low-risk and more acceptable. But highly processed soy foods like the milk, burgers, packaged items – it’s all just processed. I understand you are vegetarian but there are so many other better choices out there for non-dairy milks including almond, coconut, hemp (unsweetened varieties). Thanks for the space to speak.
I think we are exposed to the enzyme by inhaling it up our nose (I read that you should breathe through your mouth to reduce exposure), so your contacts wouldn’t make a difference anyway. It must be immunity! (or onion variety- do you change up your onions, or use the same kind all the time?)
You are one lucky lady! I wish I had your eyes. I cry like a baby every time
I had almost this exact same smoothie this morning, except without protein powder, and with a scoop of peanut butter added in. Try it with peanut butter, it’s SO good.
Also, sometimes I do a coffee-chocolate-cherry smoothie. I just replace about half of the milk with iced coffee. You’ve gotta try it!
hmm pea protein…interesting
I think i read the other day that if you keep the root part attached when chopping it stops it stinging your eyes. I am the same as you only maybe once or twice have my eyes watered cutting onions yet my hubby gets very teary chopping them! How strange!
Glad you found a way to make the pea protein palatable!
Love the sound of that shake – hope i can find frozen cherries in my supermarket!
xo Emily @ Hungry Delights
I wear contacts and onions always bother me. You must just be lucky!
I WISH I were like you!! I cry/tear HORRIBLY when I cut onions. Older onions are worse. I will have intense spells of tearing and burning hours later if I rub my eyes. I think the irritant sticks on my skin. Its horrible. I have to go flush my eyes!
I remember my home ec teacher saying that you will never worry about tearing up if you work with a sharp blade. If you’re using a blunt knife and bruising the onion, it will release those pesky irritants.