So we’re three weeks into the New Year…and much like many of you a few of my resolutions (or STS’s “suggestions to self”) have fallen by the wayside. Sigh.
My big hopes for training every day for a half marathon have been undone by sudden out-of-town travel due to the passing of a family friend, and my eating goals have been completely derailed by 7-11 snacks and lack of access to fresh food and my fully-stocked refrigerator.
This week, I’m vowing to get back on the horse and keep on keepin’ on. One of my favorite ways to get my fruits and veggies (since I’m a big sissy about actually eating fruits and veggies…something about texture or something) is to blend everything up into a big ol smoothie!
My favorite recipe, which I’ve perfected over time, is my protein green smoothie. In recent days, I’ve added ingredients to the recipe that my boyfriend assures me is “rounding out” the recipe and equalizing the protein, fats and carbs balance. As I’ve dabbled I’ve updated the recipe to include healthy fats (avos) and some protein.(powder)..bada-bing badaPOW…BALANCE!
Avocado from Aldi, French Bull patterned cutting board from Birchbox.
Charm City Thriftanista’s Protein Green Smoothie:
½ cup frozen cubed pinapple (try Trader Joe’s for the frozen fruit…many selections are organic, which is great!)
½ cup frozen sliced or cubed mangos
1 fresh banana (not frozen)
1 cup water
1 big handful of spinach (or a spinach/kale mix)
1 leaf of Kale
1 half avocado (yay healthy fats!)
(Optional)1 scoop whey protein powder (approx. 3 tbls)…thanks to CCT’s resident boyfriend. Add this last!
First blend up the banana, pineapple, water and mango. It should look like this:
Then throw in half an avocado, and blend again:
Thick enough to fill you up, but straw sippable! YUM!
Add a heaping handful of spinach (or baby kale, a mix, or spinach with one large leaf of kale):
You can add your protein powder at this stage. I like pure whey protein… but there are many vegan alternatives. Just make sure what you use isn’t chocolate…GROSS!
The final product:
MMMMmmmm!
Raise a toast to a great (and healthy!) morning!
Tips: Try blending the fruit and water up first, then adding the spinach, kale and avocado. Then when everything is well blended stir or quickly blend in the protein powder to avoid getting this really weird fluffy texture (gross!). If the consistency is too thick to sip through a straw, add some more water. If the consistency is not sweet enough, add a couple more cubes of pineapple.
What are your favorite recipes for smoothies? How did the recipe work out for you?
About the Charm City Thriftanista:
Kelly-Lynne is a Social Media strategist by day,
writer and dreamer by dusk. She loves vintage
and cookies, but not vintage cookies. She lives the
beautiful Mount Vernon, Baltimore City.
You can find her at @kellynner on Twitter!
The Low Low Style 