Post-Workout Smoothie

Smoothies can be a great way to start the day,but they can also be They're also great recovery drinks pre- and post-workout.

My current post-workout smoothie is a Chocolate Banana smoothie:

1c goat milk
1T cacao powder
1 banana
1t honey
 
I once read an article that chocolate milk was the best recovery drink after working out.  The article suggested that drinking an 8oz glass before your workout gives you the carbs and protein needed to power through your workout.  It goes on to say that drinking an 8oz glass after your workout provides the rest of the protein needed to repair your muscles.  The article said that you would feel less sore if you followed this method.  And you know what?  It was right.  After trying this method, I went from being so sore I could move after a workout to being barely sore, if at all, the day after.

http://eatthis.menshealth.com/content/chocolate-milk-diet

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/chocolate-milk-after-workout/

Smoothies!

I love smoothies, because they're quick and easy.  I'm talking smoothies you make at home--not the ones you get Jamba Juice that are chock-full of sugar and end up being worse for you than a cheeseburger at your favorite pub.

I find that smoothies are great to start your morning off with an energy boost.  Currently, my favorite smoothie is my Avocado Banana Berry smoothie.  The creamy texture from the avocado and banana makes it oh-so-pleasing to the palate.

1/2c goat milk
1/2 avovado
1/2c strawberries
1/2c blueberries
1 banana
1t honey
1T flaxseeds or chia seeds

I use goat milk because it is easier to digest than cow's milk, and it provides a good source of protein.  For a more Plan friendly smoothie, substitute coconut milk for the goat milk.  I have found, however, that the protein in the goat milk gives me more of an energy boost than coconut milk.

This smoothie is great as a pre-workout drink because it gives me an energy boost.  The healthy fats from the avocado and the antioxidants from the berries also make this a good smoothie for fighting skin breakouts.  (Very good if you're detoxing on The Plan).

Green Smoothie...

Since my last post (which I will admit was quite some time ago), I have gone back on the pill.  Unfortunately, for me, it is a medical necessity.  It's nice to be able to go through a menstrual cycle without being sick and bed ridden.  It is also nice not to have crippling pain caused by ovarian cysts.  Yay!

An odd thing has occurred since I started Mononessa.  Instead of my appetite increasing as most women have reported, my appetite has decreased.  My roommate has noticed my dramatic decrease in appetite and expressed his concern that I was not getting enough nutrients.  He suggested using Slimfast as a supplement.  However, I remembered a recipe for a green smoothie that I had seen on Pinterest.  I decided I would try it, since I have a fondness for the Naked Green Machine smoothie.

The roommate and I made a trip to Wholefoods and stocked up on green smoothie ingredients.  Unfortunately, when I woke up this morning, I found that the link had been removed from Pinterest.  Now, I had to wing it.  Winging recipes always gives me a sense of trepidation, but I girded my loins and soldiered on.

Ingredients:

1/4 c. organic kefir
1/4 c. organic Greek yogurt
1/2 c spinach leaves
2 large red chard leaves
3 stalks of kale (leaves only)
1/2 c. frozen pineapple
1/2 c. frozen strawberries
1 frozen or fresh banana cut into chunks
2 tbs honey (optional)

I mixed the kefir, yogurt and greens together in a blender and gradually added my fruits.  The honey was the very last thing to go in, but I think it would have been just as good without it.  Makes 2-3 8 oz servings.

The end result was a delicious smoothie that is good for breakfast on the go, or a replacement drink after a workout.   At 133 calories per 8oz serving, this smoothie has a total of 1g of fat, 9g of protein, 79% of your vitamin A, and 98% of your vitamin C, this little smoothie packs quite a punch!