Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

1 serving
440 calories

8 oz Almond Milk (60 calories)
1 scoop protein powder (80 calories)
3 tablespoons chia seeds (150 calories for 3 tablespoons)
1 banana (100 calories)
6 frozen strawberries (50 calories)

Blend.

I use a lot of Chia seeds because they are so nutritious, have 5 grams of protein per serving (3 tablespoons), loads of fiber and I like the texture. If you're watching calories cut down on those.

This will be a smoothie I make often. It is simple and delicious.

Cake Batter Protein Shake

Cake Batter Protein Shake

8 oz Almond Milk
1 scoop VANILLA protein powder (I use Garden of Life Raw)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon butter extract (sounds weird, smells like movie theater butter popcorn)
1 tablespoon fat/sugar free vanilla pudding mix
1 Banana
2 cups ice cubes


Blend.

This wasn't a favorite of mine. I don't like ice cubes because they dilute the shake and don't add much to it. It might have been better if I had used vanilla protein powder, but I added the vanilla to hopefully  make up for that. Other recipes on the web show sprinkles on top. I didn't use them b/c I don't care for meaningless garnish. I might make it again when I get vanilla protein powder.

UPDATE: Do NOT use unflavored protein powder.I have revised it in the recipe. I also added a banana, because just cake batter is bland. Next time I will use frozen strawberries instead of  ice cubes. I'd rather have the added nutrition.

Strawberry Shortcake Protein Shake

Strawberry Shortcake Protein Shake
 It was a nice shake, but I think a straight out Strawberry Protein Shake would have been just as good.

Strawberry Protein Shake
1 serving = 350 calories


1 scoop protein powder  (Vanilla might make a good base, I usually use Garden of Life Raw Protein                                                     powder without a flavor.)
8 oz Almond Milk
6 large strawberries
1 tsp sugar and fat free vanilla pudding mix
2 tbs Chia seeds (I use these b/c they are nutritionally great and don't really impart a taste)

To make it a bit more vanilla-y I put in some vanilla extract.

Blend.

Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake

I've gotten started with drinking protein shakes for breakfast. I'm starting to really like them. They are filling, easy and packed with lots of vitamins and protein.

Today's shake is:

 Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake.

1 serving  = 285 calories and 23 grams of protein

1 cup Almond Milk
1 Scoop Protein Powder (I used Garden of Life Raw Protein, unflavored)
1/2 cup of frozen dark sweet cherries
2 tablespoons of chia seeds
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Blend it all up!

NaNoWriMo 2013

This year I will be participating again. I started in 2006 - 2010 and 'won' each time. I sort of quit doing it. I don't know why, because it is a lot of fun.

It is Day 3 and I should have 5,001 words written. Instead, I'm just writing in my blog.