Tag: almond milk

Peach Pie Protein Smoothie

peach pie protein shake 2Eating breakfast is essential.  It turns on your body’s fat burning oven and gives you the energy you need to start your day.  Skipping this meal can lead to overeating throughout the day.  When you skip a meal, your body signals your brain to play catch up.  Bad choices are made when our bodies go into starvation mode. Your best plan of attack is to drink a full glass of water right when you wake up.  This cleanses your body of impurities and hydrates.  Plan on eating within the first hour of waking up to fully kick-start your metabolism. Eating within the first hour can sometimes be a challenge for me.  Especially since we are on our 4th week of summer break here.  I love simple breakfasts that don’t require tons of prep and clean up.  Shakes fit this mold, and fill my tank.  This peach protein shake is quick, satiates, and tastes like dessert.  Serious bonus. On that note, you can end your day with this shake.  Just add 1/2 a cup of your favorite frozen yogurt, and tada!  You can pull the wool over your kid’s/husband’s eyes and make them think they are drinking a non-nutritious shake. Onto the fabulous reasons to drink this peachy goodness.  The protein in the powder and almond milk will keep you full till your mid-morning snack and build muscle. Who can resist the taste of a fresh peach?  I know I can’t.  Knowing they are full of vitamin A, C, & B, contain iron and fluoride, and protect from free radicals, make them even more appealing. Cinnamon, well there are so many benefits to ingesting a daily 1/2 teaspoon dose of this spice, I needed a list:

  1. 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower your bad cholesterol (or LDL).
  2. Cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body.
  3. Cinnamon has anti-fungal properties, and it’s been said that candida cannot live in a cinnamon environment.
  4. Cinnamon can reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
  5. Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
  6. Honey and Cinnamon combined have been found to relieve arthritis pain.
  7. When added to food, cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
  8. Just smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
  9. Cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
  10. Cinnamon has been found to be an effective natural remedy for eliminating headaches and migraine relief.
  11. Cinnamon can also help stabilize blood sugar (which is great for weight loss). A couple of dashes in your morning tea or cereal is all it takes.

(facts from http://organicauthority.com)

So, when you see the peaches at your local market, make sure you grab a few to make this delicious breakfast treat. You are missing out if you don’t!

Peach Pie Protein Smoothie
 
Author: 
Nutrition Information
  • Serving size: 9 oz.
  • Fat: 4.6
  • Carbohydrates: 28
  • Sugar: 23
  • Sodium: 285
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 27
  • Cholesterol: 20
Recipe type: Smoothie, Breakfast
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces vanilla almond milk
  • ½ of a peach (skin removed) or ½ cup frozen peaches, sliced
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • optional additions: (1 tablespoon)
  • FiProFlax
  • chia seeds
  • flax seeds
  • hemp hearts
  • wheat germ
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients in a high powered blender and blend till smooth. I like the milkshake option.

Delicious Green Smoothie

green I added delicious into the name for two reasons.  First,  because it is.  Second, because most people hear green smoothie and immediately they decide it can’t be good.  I then go on to tell them there is spinach and peanut butter in and it.  That is when they start running.  To the doubters I say, “Stop being a wuss and try it!”.  Maybe that was a little harsh.  No never mind, definitely not.

This protein, fiber, iron, flavor packed smoothie is really good.  Everyone I have ever made it for continues making it at home once they try it.  Bonus:  it’s quick and easy to make and clean up is a snap.  It can replace an entire meal.  I will drink it after a workout to rebuild broken down muscles.  So put your big girl/boy underwear on and try it.  You’ll thank me, I promise.

6 oz. almond milk

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/2 banana for women, 1 whole banana for men

1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (or pb2*, almond butter is another great alternative)

1 tablespoon FiProFlax* (see note below)

1 big handful of spinach

1/2 cup of crushed ice

Put the ingredients in the blender in the order listed, except for the ice.  Puree the mixture till smooth (there will be small bits of spinach in a regular blender).  Add the ice and blend until it is the smoothest your blender can muster.  Mine will leave small chunks, but I am fine with that.  Drink and pass on the recipe once you realize how awesome it is.

*You can find FiProFlax and PB2 on Amazon.

fiproflax

Benefits of flax seed:

  • Lower blood cholesterol
  • Reduce viscosity of blood
  • Lower arterial blood pressure
  • Prevent colon and breast cancer
  • Improve mood
  • Diminish allergies                
  • Produce healthier skin