Healthy Summer Smoothie Recipes
I have never been a huge breakfast eater. Before I got pregnant with my second daughter, I rarely ate it at all. I was a “coffee on the go” every morning type of person. Even when I was pregnant with my first, I never had the appetite for it and I didn’t have morning sickness with her so I didn’t really feel like I needed to eat breakfast. After I had her I went back to my old ways of coffee. When I got pregnant with Gracelynn (my youngest), I had to start eating breakfast because I was pretty queasy some mornings and had to force something down to get through the day… Oh the joys of pregnancy. Mid-way through my second pregnancy I got really into yoga and focusing on my health and fitness. The first time around I was like, ICE CREAM EVERY DAY! Okay, who am I kidding, I did that the second time too. But, this time I was eating right and working out while pregnant so the outcome was quite a bit different physically. Now a days, I have a smoothie for either breakfast or lunch almost every single day.
Now when I say smoothie, I don’t mean milkshake. I know, I used to get them mixed up too sometimes. Mom brain! I mean a delicious, healthy, and filling fruit and veggie drink loaded with vitamins, fiber, protein and all that good stuff that we need! I accredit this change in my diet, along with some other things I will share with you all later, to losing my pregnancy weight so quickly. I want to share 3 of my absolute FAVORITE smoothie recipes in hopes that you all find one that you like. Even if you don’t, you can just mix and match different fruits and vegetables until you find a combination that you like. That’s what I did! Not only are they delicious but they are also extremely easy and quick to make, which is great for busy moms, students, working ladies that have to eat on the go, pretty much anyone that wants a nutritious breakfast without spending too much time in the kitchen!
Just a little info before I give you the recipes, (I’m sure the anticipation is killing you:-))
-I usually freeze my bananas to prep them for smoothies. I like my smoothies a little bit thicker so frozen fruits and adding ice really gives it a good texture.
-The brand of whey protein that I use is Optimum Nutrition in French Vanilla or Double Rich Chocolate. It has 24g of protein per scoop and no added sugar, only 3g of carbs which is fantastic and the taste is phenomenal! You can also drink this just stirred with Almond Milk or water.
1. Banana Peanut Butter Protein Power Smoothie: This is my go-to smoothie. I love it, I don’t think I will ever get tired of it!
Ingredients: 1 frozen banana, 2 Tbls of all natural peanut butter (the only ingredients should be peanuts, maybe salt) or almond butter, Unsweetened Almond or Coconut Milk, 1 Tbls of Flax Seeds, 1 rounded scoop of Double Rich Chocolate Protein powder, 4-8 ice cubes depending on how thick you want it. Blend until smooth and enjoy!
2. Lean Green Smoothie Machine: This is the one I usually have for lunch. The greener, the better!
Ingredients: 1 handful of raw spinach,1/2 peeled cucumber, 1/2 frozen banana,
1 scoop French Vanilla Protein powder, water (or you can use the Almond Milk instead), a small handful of raw almonds (8-10), ice to thicken . Blend the Spinach and liquid first until blended well, then add the rest of the ingredients
until mixed throughly! You can also add berries to this or make it with just a variety of berries without the banana, I am just a banana-in-my-shake type of chick!
3. Apple Delicious Delight
Ingredients: 1 Apple (I prefer using a sweeter apple like Red Delicious and I also leave the peel on because this is where most of the nutrients are) cut into slices, 1 Tablespoon of Peanut Butter or 8-10 Raw Almonds, Unsweetened Almond Milk, a few shakes of ground cinnamon, 1 scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder, ice to thicken. Blend everything together and top with a little more cinnamon if desired!
You do not have to use Almond or Coconut Milk if you don’t want to, but using regular milk instead will change the nutritional value of the smoothie. Also, if you don’t have or don’t want to use protein powder, sweeten them with raw honey or agave nectar. Either will be delicious!
I hope that you find one, or all of these to be tasty new additions to your daily meal plan! Let me know if you tried one, what you changed and how you liked them. I am always looking for new combinations to try as well so if you have any you love let me know in the comments!
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*Heres to healthy bodies*
-Joanna
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