The Grass is Always Greener Smoothie

When most people think of an appetizing smoothie, the color green doesn't come to mind. In fact, if it does come to mind people are usually imagining adjectives that stray very far from the meaning of the word appetizing.

I'm hoping that this smoothie will change those people's minds. Don't be scared by the multiple leafy-green ingredients; this smoothie is light, smooth, and has a naturally sweet taste. Not to mention that it's full of nutrients and natural protein. Give it a try and let me know if it changes your view on green drinks!

FYI: I use all organic ingredients to help prevent the ingestion of nasty chemicals and GMOs. This isn't necessary, but it is suggested.


Ingredients
3 full leaves chard (or 2 leaves kale), including stem
¾ cup spinach
¼ avocado
2’’ slice of cucumber
½’’ slice lemon, rind cut off
1’’ fresh ginger root
½ gala apple (or other sweet variety)
1 banana
¼ cup almond milk
1½ - 2  cups water (use enough for desired consistency)
4-6 ice cubes

Directions
1. Combine ingredients in blender
2. Blend
3. Enjoy!

Protein Smoothie

As I sat down to enjoy my post-run protein smoothie today, I remembered that my brother has been imploring me to post recipes for this very same shake. So Bryce, here you go!

For those of you in search of a more tradition fruit smoothie, simply cut out the beans, powders, and oatmeal, and you have a delicious fresh fruit shake. 

Ingredients
1 banana
1 handful of strawberries
1 mango, sliced
1/2 cup white beans (great northern or cannellini)
1 1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 cup water (depending on desired consistency)
1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal
2 tbsp flaxseed meal
1 scoop pea protein (I use Olympian Labs)
3 tbsp hemp protein
1 tsp glutamine powder
3-5 ice cubes

Directions
1. Blend fruits and milk in blender
2. Slowly add remaining ingredients
3. If consistency becomes too thick, slowly add more water

Note the color: I didn't use hemp protein, so it's much lighter than normal.

This is a great recovery shake after any hard workout or long run. It's packed with calories, protein, and nutrients. It's basically a meal replacer, so I will have one of these after the gym around 730 or 8pm and that will be my dinner.

Approximate Nutritional Facts
Calories: 780
Total Fat: 16g
Protein: 61.5g
Dietary Fiber: 23.5g

Banana nut bread

I've been stockpiling over-ripe bananas in the freezer, which pays dividends: a ready supply of all the bananary goodness I need for whatever I want to bake on a given day. It's perfect. Since I've already got banana chocolate chip cake down, I decided a great banana bread would be next. With it's delicious, yet almost-breakfast-taste, it's a perfect snack any time of the day.


Ingredients:
3 very ripe bananas (preferably frozen)
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 cup raw sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp ground flax seed
3 tbsp water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
2-3 tbsp chopped almonds


*** FYI: If substituting applecause for oil, use 1/3 cup sauce but consider adding  2 tbsp flour to offset the chewiness


Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) Whisk together flax seed and water, set aside to thicken
3) In a large bowl, add bananas, oil, and vanilla. Mash together. Add the sugar, and flax/water combination, mix well.
5) In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients.
6) Slowly stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing until a sticky dough has formed
7) Grease a loaf pan
8) Pour dough into pan, top with chopped almonds
9) Bake in oven for 60 minutes
10) Remove from oven, let cool 10+ minutes, then enjoy!