I'm the type of person that likes to have a routine. I wish I were more spontaneous, but I am definitely a planner. When going out to eat, I always look at the menu beforehand. My workout schedule varies little from week to week. Not knowing what I'll be doing tomorrow can stress me out. This is something I continuously try to work on, because I know breaking up routine is healthy and necessary sometimes.
Not surprisingly, I'm a routine lover when it comes to meals, too. When I really like a recipe, I will make it every day. I used to make a protein smoothie every morning for breakfast for about three years with a protein/meal replacement powder. It was delicious, and kept me full for a few hours, but once I started doing more nutrition research, I didn't feel great what I was putting in my body every morning. The list of ingredients was a mile long, many of which I couldn't pronounce. Breakfast signifies a new day and a fresh start, so it is a chance to power up your body with a nutrient packed meal. So, I gradually started making smoothies using whole food, simple ingredients. I find that these smoothies are delicious, give me an instant energy boost, and dense enough to fill me up for at least a few hours.
This smoothie has been my breakfast of choice this summer. It is thick and creamy, taking on a milkshake like texture, thanks to almond butter. Cocoa powder and coconut make it rich, but not too sweet. I would even have this smoothie for dessert! I'm sure I'll find another smoothie recipe to obsess over, but this one is my current favorite.
My (Current) Favorite Green Smoothie
(serves 1 generously)
3/4 cup almond milk
2 big handfuls spinach
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tbsp cocoa powder or raw cacao
1 tbsp almond butter*
1 frozen banana
dash of cinnamon and vanilla extract
8-12 ice cubes
Add ingredients to blender in the order listed, and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Add more liquid, if necessary, to help mix ingredients thoroughly. Enjoy slowly with a straw, or top with berries and granola as a smoothie bowl!
*Any nut butter can be subbed for the almond butter.
Not surprisingly, I'm a routine lover when it comes to meals, too. When I really like a recipe, I will make it every day. I used to make a protein smoothie every morning for breakfast for about three years with a protein/meal replacement powder. It was delicious, and kept me full for a few hours, but once I started doing more nutrition research, I didn't feel great what I was putting in my body every morning. The list of ingredients was a mile long, many of which I couldn't pronounce. Breakfast signifies a new day and a fresh start, so it is a chance to power up your body with a nutrient packed meal. So, I gradually started making smoothies using whole food, simple ingredients. I find that these smoothies are delicious, give me an instant energy boost, and dense enough to fill me up for at least a few hours.
This smoothie has been my breakfast of choice this summer. It is thick and creamy, taking on a milkshake like texture, thanks to almond butter. Cocoa powder and coconut make it rich, but not too sweet. I would even have this smoothie for dessert! I'm sure I'll find another smoothie recipe to obsess over, but this one is my current favorite.
My (Current) Favorite Green Smoothie
(serves 1 generously)
3/4 cup almond milk
2 big handfuls spinach
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tbsp cocoa powder or raw cacao
1 tbsp almond butter*
1 frozen banana
dash of cinnamon and vanilla extract
8-12 ice cubes
Add ingredients to blender in the order listed, and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Add more liquid, if necessary, to help mix ingredients thoroughly. Enjoy slowly with a straw, or top with berries and granola as a smoothie bowl!
*Any nut butter can be subbed for the almond butter.