I recently found out that I am a bit low on protein. Why? I don't know. But, in an effort to up my protein intake at breakfast, I created this smoothie. So yummy, and is now one of my go to smoothies.
Protein Power
1/2 Banana (I still prefer room temp, for a creamier base)
1/2 cup non fat, plain greek yogurt
2 T honey or maple syrup
3 T almond butter, (or peanut butter if you like the stuff, yuck!)
2 T hemp hearts
1 T Chia seeds
1 - 2 T cocoa powder
About 1 Cup of almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
Blend and enjoy.
If you want a colder drink, you can use frozen bananas, or 4-5 ice cubes and blend. You could also add a shot of espresso.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Restart
Okay, okay...I have fallen off my SOTD! Never mind the fact that I posted in January and not again this year! So yes, I am going to restart, but first an update.
My New Year's Challenge was completed! I was Vegan for 2 months and I felt great during that time. The first 2 weeks my body was detoxing (won't get into those details)! After those 2 weeks, I noticed my digestive system was happier than before. Most evenings I end up feeling pretty icky, bloated and a bit nauseous, With this challenge, that icky feeling was gone and I felt good in the evenings. Also, after those first 2 weeks I had lost 6 lbs! Unfortunately, after my system regulated itself, I gained those lbs back :( In addition, I cut out all added refined sugar and most of my caffeine intake.
At the start of my challenge I went and had my cholesterol checked, I was surprise at the results (higher than anticipated for my "bad" and my "good" was low). At the end of my challenge I tested again, another surprise! My overall cholesterol went UP??? Wait, what? However my triglycerides went down, my bad cholesterol went down and my good cholesterol went up. Nothing was a significant change, but still. I had a friend that told me when she went vegan for 6 weeks her cholesterol dropped 100 pts. I wasn't really expecting that, but some kind of drop was more what I was hoping for!!
I have had people tell me "you need longer to see any change". Um, two months of vegan should produce some kind of change! I also have had it said that it could be due to a lack of Vitamin D that would throw this off. Um, ND in the winter time, ok, I could believe that! Also, I know our body produces its own cholesterol, could I be just odd person that overproduces all by themselves? Anyway, those were my results.
For anyone who wonders...no I didn't stick with it, for a number of reasons. The first one being, although my husband supported my challenge, he did not join me in it. Therefore, I was cooking a meal for myself and a meal for the family every meal. That was more than I wished to continue.
Right now, I am ready to start another challenge, maybe not full plant-based diet, but mostly a plant-based diet. My husband is willing to join me in this challenge now. We will be moving toward that and see how we like it (I have some meat in the freezer that I don't want to waste my money on that we will need to use up).
For today, restarting the SOTD challenge.
Strawberry Pineapple - how have I NOT made this combo yet???
1/2 banana
1 cup (ish) hulled fresh strawberries
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
2 T hemp hearts (these are my go too protein item!)
4 T raw oatmeal
almond milk to blend (maybe 1 cup)
touch of vanilla
Yum.
My New Year's Challenge was completed! I was Vegan for 2 months and I felt great during that time. The first 2 weeks my body was detoxing (won't get into those details)! After those 2 weeks, I noticed my digestive system was happier than before. Most evenings I end up feeling pretty icky, bloated and a bit nauseous, With this challenge, that icky feeling was gone and I felt good in the evenings. Also, after those first 2 weeks I had lost 6 lbs! Unfortunately, after my system regulated itself, I gained those lbs back :( In addition, I cut out all added refined sugar and most of my caffeine intake.
At the start of my challenge I went and had my cholesterol checked, I was surprise at the results (higher than anticipated for my "bad" and my "good" was low). At the end of my challenge I tested again, another surprise! My overall cholesterol went UP??? Wait, what? However my triglycerides went down, my bad cholesterol went down and my good cholesterol went up. Nothing was a significant change, but still. I had a friend that told me when she went vegan for 6 weeks her cholesterol dropped 100 pts. I wasn't really expecting that, but some kind of drop was more what I was hoping for!!
I have had people tell me "you need longer to see any change". Um, two months of vegan should produce some kind of change! I also have had it said that it could be due to a lack of Vitamin D that would throw this off. Um, ND in the winter time, ok, I could believe that! Also, I know our body produces its own cholesterol, could I be just odd person that overproduces all by themselves? Anyway, those were my results.
For anyone who wonders...no I didn't stick with it, for a number of reasons. The first one being, although my husband supported my challenge, he did not join me in it. Therefore, I was cooking a meal for myself and a meal for the family every meal. That was more than I wished to continue.
Right now, I am ready to start another challenge, maybe not full plant-based diet, but mostly a plant-based diet. My husband is willing to join me in this challenge now. We will be moving toward that and see how we like it (I have some meat in the freezer that I don't want to waste my money on that we will need to use up).
For today, restarting the SOTD challenge.
Strawberry Pineapple - how have I NOT made this combo yet???
1/2 banana
1 cup (ish) hulled fresh strawberries
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
2 T hemp hearts (these are my go too protein item!)
4 T raw oatmeal
almond milk to blend (maybe 1 cup)
touch of vanilla
Yum.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Start of the New Year, Challenges (NOT Resolutions!)
My husband and I were sitting down yesterday and discussing how the world was to end in 2000. Here we are in 2014 and going strong! Amazing how time flies! With the entrance to 2014, (I actually was up at midnight this year, previous years saw me in bed by 10! Ha, life with kids) I have created a variety of challenges for myself. The general purpose would be for the betterment of my body, mind and spirit.
Challenge 1: For January I am challenging myself to a Vegan (ish) diet. I need to clean up my eating habits and would like try mostly vegan for a month and see how it goes. I, however, am allowing myself room for error, this is a BIG switch to accomplish in a month.
Challenge 2: Hit the gym. At least 3 times a week with other exercise at home everyday. Before Dec hit, I had accomplished a 60 day streak of exercise everyday (a FB group I am part of). I fell off that with the holidays and my husband working INSANE hours a work with the holiday rush. Ultimately, I would like to see some weight loss and body tone happen as well.
Challenge 3: Devotions everyday. Fill that connections that helps me in my spiritual life.
Challenge4: Get back into the habit of SOTD. Better fuel for my body in the morning. So today's smoothie was a bit of extra work. I juiced some things before I made my smoothie.
Juice
5 Carrots
1 orange
large handful of baby kale and spinach
1/2 Grapefruit
I ran these through my Champion Juicer THEN...
I made my smoothie
1/2 Banana
2 T goji berries
2 T hemp hearts
1 T flax seed
Blend in my Vitamix and drink it up.
Pretty good. Very green tasting!
Challenge 1: For January I am challenging myself to a Vegan (ish) diet. I need to clean up my eating habits and would like try mostly vegan for a month and see how it goes. I, however, am allowing myself room for error, this is a BIG switch to accomplish in a month.
Challenge 2: Hit the gym. At least 3 times a week with other exercise at home everyday. Before Dec hit, I had accomplished a 60 day streak of exercise everyday (a FB group I am part of). I fell off that with the holidays and my husband working INSANE hours a work with the holiday rush. Ultimately, I would like to see some weight loss and body tone happen as well.
Challenge 3: Devotions everyday. Fill that connections that helps me in my spiritual life.
Challenge4: Get back into the habit of SOTD. Better fuel for my body in the morning. So today's smoothie was a bit of extra work. I juiced some things before I made my smoothie.
Juice
5 Carrots
1 orange
large handful of baby kale and spinach
1/2 Grapefruit
I ran these through my Champion Juicer THEN...
I made my smoothie
1/2 Banana
2 T goji berries
2 T hemp hearts
1 T flax seed
Blend in my Vitamix and drink it up.
Pretty good. Very green tasting!
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