Tropical Green Smoothie
Happy weekend, everyone! I am absolutely LOVING the sunshine here and all this beautiful summer weather has me craving smoothies so bad. That’s a good thing, yes? This time of year I basically never want to cook because of the heat and something cold and healthy is always a good answer. My son was asking me to make him a smoothie and since I’m too lazy to do much else, we whipped this up together. After all, he pretty much always insists on helping me these days. I’ll admit, it kind of makes me wish I was drinking it at the beach instead of in this desert, but I’ll take it.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups spinach
1/3 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 banana
1/2 cup pineapple chunks
1 tablespoon coconut coffee creamer (this may sound crazy, but it’s delicious in smoothies)
water
chia seeds (optional)
Directions
If you have a Magic Bullet, use the big cup. Add in all ingredients and blend your tropical deliciousness. Add chia seeds. Come to mama.
Read MoreMuscle Repair Smoothie
My my, yesterday was a doozy! I started my Saturday early to squeeze in my long run for the weekend (which I swear, nearly killed me), then rushed Zach off to swim lessons, dropped him off and spent the rest of the day busting my butt moving boxes around and out of my house. We’re getting ready to sell, so it’s not a full move yet, but we are limiting what’s here to just the stuff we need for daily use so we can stage it. So after 6 miles and about a billion times up and down the stairs of my house with our belongings, my body is sore!
I had a protein shake right after my run and I should have had one last night so my body could repair while I was sleeping, but I’m made another this morning.
Also, there’s some method t my madness! Below is a breakdown of all the ingredients and why they are good for muscle repair.
Pineapple is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and nutrients that help with tissue growth and healing.
Bananas are full of fast-acting carbs that help your body rebuild damaged muscles and potassium that helps with tightness and cramping.
Blueberries are full of antioxidants. Some studies have shown they can help triple the rate of recovery for muscles.
Cucumbers are actually filled with most of the nutrients we need in a day! They have the sugars, minerals, amino acids and vitamins that human bodies crave after exertion.
Protein increases muscle protein synthesis after exercise which promotes muscle build and repair.
Chia seeds are about 20% protein, which exceeds the protein content of most other grains and seeds. They are also full of antioxidants which help repair muscles.
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Muscle Repair Smoothie
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup frozen pineapple
1/2 banana
A couple slices of cucumber
Scoop of protein powder
Water
Chia seeds sprinkled on top
Read More
Apple blueberry spinach smoothie
I love making smoothies for me and the little guy to share, and since I routinely keep all these ingredients on hand, this is a favorite we both love.
Ingredients
1 cup spinach
1/2 an apple
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup vanilla (or plain) Greek yogurt
1/2 cup almond milk
Directions
Add all into blender and blend until smooth.
Read MoreEasy Apple Banana Green Smoothie
I’m all about easy when it comes to eating healthy and it doesn’t get much easier than this. I spent all of today out running errands with the babe, so by the time I got home and ready to put away groceries, I was famished. But then somehow I got caught up deep cleaning my fridge since for once it was nearly completely empty and I just dropped $200 at the store. Soooo an hour later I put away groceries and then whipped this up really fast to curb my hunger while I made something else for lunch. This is perfect because they are such staples that you usually have at home (or at least I do!) so it’s a go to recipe for me. And 30 seconds later I was a much happier mama, and even Zach liked it!
Ingredients
1/2 a banana
1/2 an apple
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup fruit juice (I used apple)
1/4 cup ice
Directions
Blend and enjoy!
Read MoreOatmeal Cookie Green Smoothie
I’m on day 13 straight of green smoothies in the new year, so I’m trying to change it up and experiment with ingredients. Since I just made some baby food recipes this weekend, one of the recipes tasted so good together it was almost like oatmeal cookie dough! So I changed it around to make it in green smoothie form. Yum!
Ingredients
1/3 cup Greek yogurt
1/3 cup oatmeal
1 tablespoon chopped nuts
1 tablespoon flax seed
1/2 an apple
2-3 tablespoons dried figs or raisins
1/2 cup almond milk
1-2 cups spinach
Directions
If you’re making in a Magic Bullet, I’d use one of the bigger cups. Add all ingredients and blend until smooth.
Read MoreApple Cinnamon Green Smoothie
Since I’m doing my fitness challenge, one thing that is sometimes difficult for me is getting enough veggies in my diet. I love vegetables, but for whatever reason unless I’m eating a salad, getting in four full servings or more is something I really have to work at some days.
This is one of the many reasons why I love green smoothies. I can load them up with veggies and fruit, and drink down at least one good serving as a snack or supplement to my meal without even thinking about it.
Plus since this is a holiday challenge, I figured I would serve up a smoothie with a little Christmas flair. Makes a great snack, meal replacement, or heavens, I even would use this to fool myself I’m having dessert!
Ingredients
1/2 an apple, cored
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
a pinch of nutmeg
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons oatmeal
1 big handful of spinach
Directions
Put in blender…blend. That is all.