starry eyed

 I picked up a star-shaped ice tray the other day with plans to freeze coconut water for use in smoothies. Oh, my. This is a winner!

Chocolate Protein Smoothie 

• One cup unsweetened chocolate flavored almond milk 
• One scoop chocolate whey protein powder 
• One tablespoon chocolate PB2 
• One teaspoon L-Glutamine powder 
• One tablespoon chia seeds 
• Five frozen coconut water stars 

As my niece's little guy likes to declare: Dewicious!

~♥~

silver lining

Six days ago, I had a second round of extensive oral surgery. Recovery has been challenging with lots of pain and swelling. There is a silver lining though -- I've perfected (by my current needs) the chocolate protein smoothie.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk


• 1/2 cup nonfat strained plain greek yogurt


• 1/2 frozen banana


• one scoop chocolate whey protein powder


• 3-6 ice cubes


• splash of brewed coffee (I'm going to start freezing left over morning coffee in ice cube trays)

If you want to blend enough to share or have some left over for later in the day, increase the almond milk to one cup and use a whole banana. When I'm no longer recovering from oral surgery, I'll probably add a little peanut butter.

~♥~

friday five

• I may have found my special purpose (not a reference to "The Jerk"). I've been testing smoothie recipes. Yesterday, the Spinach Raspberry and today, the Classic Green Monster. Both were yummy and I like the way I felt after drinking them. The Spinach Raspberry makes enough for two people or to put aside some for later. The Classic Green Monster had me trying Chia seeds for the first time. I also used peanut butter as the nut butter but wonder if this is what the Green Monster goddess had in mind since technically peanuts are not nuts. I may pick up a small jar of almond butter for the future. I'd also like to try PB2. I don't like that there is added sugar but the fat reduction is appealing. PB2 seems like it would be ideal to add to smoothies. I almost ordered some online but couldn't bring myself to pay the shipping charge. Good grief, it was almost the same as the price of 4 bottles of the product. The nearest retailer that carries PB2 is not near. So, for now, PB2 is on the back burner.

• I've been feeling much more back to normal (by which I mean having some energy), since I've started taking probiotics. Discovered yesterday that Raley's Sunnyside yogurt is now available with probiotics. It comes in a variety of good flavors too, including pomegranate. I'm a suckafool for anything pomegranate.

• Here's one of those quick list type articles that actually has some valuable information: 7 Pains to never, ever ignore.

• Learned about a new super supplement promoted by Joe Mercola via the Dr. Oz website: ASTAXANTHIN. It is purported to have antioxident and anti-inflamatory properties. Have you heard of it? Tried it?

• Did you notice something different in the sidebar? I've taken down the weight information. I am truly shifting my focus away from the scale. Still about ten pounds more than where I'd like to be but I think taking a break from "weight watching" is the way to go right now.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

~♥~

you gotta try this

Pumpkin Smoothie*:

1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp light agave syrup
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
6 oz (3/4 cup) almond milk or pumpkin spice flavored soy milk
6 ice cubes

ADDED: Try adding a few drops of vanilla.

Update: Upped the pumpkin slightly & reduced the yogurt just a bit and added a scoop of french vanilla whey protein. Ooh la la. Ready now to hit the bike trail!

* recipe from Chris Freytag

~♥~