Wednesday is Operation: Smoothie

Let me just say that the holiday Monday has totally thrown me off this week! I sat down to write my Monday Challenge for the Week blog last night & realized it was Tuesday! Feels a little like deja vu from last week except last week I was ahead a day

 & this week I am a day behind!

 Lol.... So, I apologize for no Monday Challenge this week! 

I hope you are all staying busy with previously posted challenges or your own thing &, 

of course drinking your H20!

Earlier I made the yummiest smoothie for today's post!

It was sweet with a teeny tinge of tart & very smooth & creamy!

Creamy Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie

1 container of Carb Smart Strawberry yogurt
1/2 scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
3 frozen strawberries (around 70 grams) - 1 for garnish or you can throw it in if you like!
1 Tbsp Stevia or 2 packets
1- 2 packets of True Lemon
1/2 Cup of ice
1/2 Cup of H20
I floated raw natural almonds on top to make it pretty-ful! ;) 
Throw it all in your Ninja & blend until smooth!

This creamy dreamy twist on the all American classic Strawberry Lemonade is around 

130 calories, 12 carbs & 17 grams of protein!

Wednesday is Operation: Smoothie

I have to say that I am really ready for this week to be over! It has just been one of those weeks when I just can't seem to get it together! And to make it worse, I thought it was Thursday til about 2 hours ago until my friend brought me back to reality! Ugh! You know it's a tough week when you think you are a day ahead!  Ahhh! Oh well, at least it's Wednesday night right? It's all downhill from here! Now, on with this weeks smoothie recipe & 

I'm one step closer to a night of relaxing & playing chuck it with the glow in the dark ball 

with my 2 favorite furry friends!

Ms. Fru Fru

1 scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder

1/4 C Unsweetened Almond Milk

1/3 C  Silken Tofu

1/2 C Ice

1 Tbsp Stevia

Dash of Cinnamon

Dash of Nutmeg

*Mix it all up in your Ninja & enjoy!  

Ms. Fru Fru will have you prissing around at 

150 calories, 5 carbs & 25 grams of protein! 

I have always wanted to try Tofu so I finally did! Just the name of it sounds 

clean & uptown to me ..... hence the clever name! Haha! ;)

Tofu is low calorie, high in protein, low in fat & very low in saturated fat! Some studies show it can lower cholesterol and may even help prevent certain types of cancer,

 including breast and prostate.

I have to say that it made my smoothie richer in texture & you can't even taste it. It really does take on the flavor of whatever you use it in. I used it as a spread & in my oats & I liked it a lot! I want to do some more investigating on where & how to use it before I buy it again though because it only keeps so long so I ended up throwing most of it out just due to the fact that I didn't really know enough about it to use it all up. But I am very interested in learning more about it & using it more! I REALLY wanna learn how to make veggie burgers!!!!!! It's really amazing stuff & so full of health benefits!

Wanna learn more about Tofu for yourself?! Click here!

And I would love to hear from you on your Tofu experiences so tell me about em!

Wednesday is Operation: Smoothie

Happy Wednesday! 

How are you doing on the weekly challenge of 20 push ups a day?!  Did you check out the Syra Namaskar A video on Yogaglo I posted Monday? How about Pinterest.....did you pin any of my recipes?! I want to hear feedback from you!! Please feel free to message me or comment on any posts!!

 I really really look forward to Wednesday's Operation: Smoothie blog because I get to try out a new smoothie recipe & then I get to blog about it! I was a little undecided on what kind to make today because I have been dying to make a green smoothie but I want to learn more about them before I go there so I went with plan B which was to satisfy a caramel apple pie craving I had going on!  (I have those a lot, I know!) It came out sooooo good! If I had crushed low fat graham cracker crumbs  to sprinkle on top it would have been like drinking homemade apple pie! Mmmmmmm!!!

Without further ado...... here is the recipe!

Caramel Apple Pie Protein Smoothie

1 C Unsweetened Almond Milk

 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder

1 tsp sugar free Torani Caramel syrup

1 Tbsp natural no sugar added applesauce

1 Tbsp nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1 Stevia packet

a couple of dashes of apple pie seasoning & a couple of dashes of cinnamon

1 C ice

*Throw into Ninja & blend until smooth! I sprinkled a dash of Nutmeg on top of mine for extra flavor & to make it picture perfect! ;)

*This Operation: Smoothie case is closed at 140 calories, 5 carbs & 20 grams of protein!

 

Wednesday is Operation: Smoothie

Better late than never right?! It seems like I am a day late & a dollar short lately! Although I did show up for yoga class at 9 on Tuesday (like I was told) & it didn't start until 10:30 so on Tuesday I was actually ahead of the game! Haha! So this edition of Operation: Smoothie comes to you the day before everyone's favorite day of the week..... FRIDAY!!!!!!! And I gotta tell ya...... this is a good one! Totally worth the wait! It will satisfy the sweet & the sour in you! It's totally different from any smoothie I have ever made but one I will now be making OFTEN & in all kinds of flavors! Actually, it's not really even a a smoothie though.....it's different. I am going to call this one...... a "smuffy"! I just coined a word! Because it's a fluffy smoothie! How cool is that?! I LOVE the texture of this!!!! The carbonated H20  mixed with the Stevia & protein powder makes it soft & foamy & just really fun for your mouth! Kinda like how you can't eat pop rocks without smiling.... Remember that?!

And you can't beat the fact that it's made with carbonated H20! 

I love this stuff! I used to drink this stuff tall the time & I have no idea why I ever stopped! But you can find it cheap & it's everywhere & in soooo many different flavors! And, it's WATER!!!!! NO CALORIES!!!! HELLO?! What are you waiting for?! 

Read the recipe &  go make yourself a smuffy! 

(& watch the clip below cause I HAD to post! If you have seen the movie Despicable Me, you'll know why I couldn't resist!)

Kiwi Strawberry Smuffy

1 Cup of Kiwi Strawberry flavored carbonated H20

1 packet of Strawberry Crystal Light

2 Tbsp Strawberry flavored protein powder (or vanilla would work)

1 Tbsp Stevia

3/4 C of ice

*Blend in mixer until it's all fluffy! Garnish with a strawberry & a small dab of fat free redi whip (optional) or a slice of kiwi would be pretty too!

*This satisfies the low calorie, evening, sweet n sour protein tooth for a tiny 45 calories, 2 carbs & 10 grams of protein!

Wednesday is Operation: Smoothie

Hey! I can see the weekend from here!

 A Cinco De Mayo weekend at that! Do you have plans to celebrating this weekend in honor of the holiday?? I haven't gotten mine totally figured out yet but I am working on it! The weather is sounding promising so you know that means I will be chilling on a patio.... my favorite thing!!! Possibly sipping on a skinny margarita! Ahhhh..... sounds fabulous!! But, wait! We aren't headed to Margaritaville just yet! We still have the rest of this week to get through! Our regular workout routine, the daily challenges (because you are doing them, too.... right?!), eating healthy & treating yourself beautifully inside & out! Do a quick mental checklist  to be sure you are on track for the week & prepared to enter the weekend with a good level head! This is an important thing to do when trying to lose weight, get in shape, stay in shape or maintain a healthy weight. If you treat your weekends like a free for all food event it will drastically affect your goals! Sure, 1 day doesn't sound that bad...... even 2....... but when you total those days at the end of the month..... that adds up to anywhere between a span of 96-288 hours worth of bad eating!!!!  OUCH! And you thought all that exercise burned?! I don't know about you but I work out too hard in the gym to ruin it all on the weekend! Don't get me wrong! I think it is important that we treat ourselves so that we don't feel deprived, but let it be just that..... a treat! Choose 1 meal or 1 dessert instead of the whole entire weekend! It's sounds Mission: Impossible but believe me...... it's not!!! 

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Now, on to........

Operation: Smoothie

Bananas Love Chocolate Smoothie

1 Cup unsweetened Almond milk

1  medium banana

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1 packet of Stevia

1/2 Cup ice

*Blend in your Ninja & enjoy!

This is a great post workout smoothie! 

Add 1/4 Cup of filling oats & have it for breakfast!

*It rings the protein power smoothie bell at around 

240 calories,  20 carbs & 22 grams of protein!

Wednesday is Operation: Smoothie

I didn't intend to get this blog out so late tonight but I ended up doing my nails & that always takes a little more than 2 shakes of a lambs tail! But, my nails look fabulous (if I do say so myself) so I'm happy! I was missing my Pink & Whites! Anyway, so I'll keep it short & to the point!
I have been looking forward to Wednesday's Operation: Smoothie ever since last Wednesday's edition! I love a good protein smoothie after a workout! I knew it had to be blog worthy so I really put some thought  into it!  And, the result .......today's smoothie is now one of my new favorite smoothie recipes! I used half an orange & half a banana as the key ingredients & came up with what I now call a Citrus - C  Smoothie! The best part about this smoothie (other than drinking, it of course!) is that I have the other halves to the both the orange & the banana in the freezer so I can have one again tomorrow! Not to mention that it's loaded with Vitamin C, Potassium & lots of other healthy nutrients!

Pretty smooth, huh?!

Citrus - C Smoothie

1/2 an orange - 2.5 oz (peeled)

1/2 a regular sized banana (about 6 inches) - mine was frozen

1/2 C unsweetened almond milk

1/2 C H20

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder

1 Tbsp Stevia

*Blend in you Ninja or whatever you use to blend your smoothies & enjoy!
*This rang the post workout bell at around 210 calories, 22 carbs & 22 grams of protein!

Wednesday is Operation: Smoothie

It's here ladies! 

The middle of the week! It's all downhill from here!.... 

in a good way though!

I hope you are all having a great week so far! I have a bad knee & I have been really dealing with some pain in it lately which isn't any fun & I also have a headache to top it off! Ugh! So, I think a soaking in a hot Epsom salt bath while reading a good book then going to bed early sounds just perfect for tonight! And that is exactly what I am going to do as soon as I am done with this blog!
As I told you Monday, I am trying to get this blog more structured. Mondays are about motivation with a challenge & on Wednesdays, I am going to do smoothies! I love a good smoothie! You can do so many things with them & are a sure fire, easy "whey" to add some protein to your day! Drink one as a meal replacement or lighten up on the ingredients to drink with a meal or as an after dinner nosh! This smoothie recipe is great, clean smoothie recipe for in the morning before a workout or as any meal replacement! It will fill your belly up & keep it full because of the low glycemic index carbs in the sweet potato!

Operation: Smoothie

Sweet Potato Smoothie

1 small sweet potato (around 5 oz or less)

(cook, peel & refrigerate it the night before so it's cold in the am!)

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder

1/2 c unsweetened almond milk

1/2 c ice

1 Tbsp Stevia

a dash of cinnamon & nutmeg

*Throw all ingredients in your Ninja 

(or whatever blender you use) 

& blend until smooth! 

You can sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top before serving

 to make it pretty or leave it off!

*Mission accomplished at: calories 225, carbs 28, protein grams 20 

A Decadently Sweet Dinner

 

Whew! I had a busy last couple of days! I have to confess that I did great on preparing my lunch & having my protein bars made but I was not prepared on my dinners this week! And..... I am in need of a Kroger run.......so, when I got done with work tonight I wanted something with some substance to it & something tasty! I had peanut butter on the brain & though about just having a pb protein smoothie but I know how I am & sometimes a protein smoothie can leave me feeling unsatisfied...... even if it was filling...... because when I am hungry, I want something I can sink my teeth into & actually CHEW! I'm weird I guess. Anyway, I popped a whole grain protein waffle (these are always a life saver to have in the fridge!) in the toaster & topped it with 1 tbsp of pb & 1 tbsp of sugar free grape jelly & made a strawberry protein smoothie with 1/2 c plain nonfat greek yogurt, water, ice, stevia & a dash of a strawberry crystal light pack! I gotta say.......it was really good &  totally hit the spot! It's not something I would eat every night since it was a heavier dinner than I am used to eating, but I had a hard workout earlier & didn't get in my calories during the day today so that's ok! It was still low carb & packed with protein!  It's nice to know when faced with the challenge of not having a lot in my pantry or fridge that I can still find something HEALTHY  & FAST to throw together! It's proof that eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated or a lot of work! 

Orange Dreamscicle Smoothie

The days are going to be longer & it won't be too much longer till warmer weather is here to stay! I don't know about you but I am READY! Ready for shorts, tank tops & flip flops! Summer dresses & sandals & pretty flowers! Grilling out & hanging out..... cleaning house with the windows open while the smell of Spring fills the air! Ahhhhh....... I'm getting Spring Fever! Can you tell?! Anyway, all these thoughts of Spring have been filling my head lately & it got me thinking about  how many people (including myself) have been sick this year! The flu, sinuses, allergies........ I even had strep throat twice & I never get anything more than sinus stuff! Ugh! There has been much hand washing & sanitizing but, you can't live in a bubble & sometimes you inevitably just catch something, no matter how hard you try & how many times you wash your hands & Lysol any & everything in your breathing space! So, we need to be knowledgeable with the foods that we eat! Learn what foods & vitamins can do for our bodies & use them as our weapons! Healthy foods not only help us fight off common colds, viruses & infections & give us energy, but eating clean & healthy can actually help strengthen our organs & fight off major diseases like cancer & heart disease just to name a couple! Healthy food makes your hair & skin prettier & makes you look younger! What we eat matters! Foods are made  to work for us, not against us! Eat simply, eat pretty....... & eat smart!

So, with that being said.......let's talk about the orange.  Did you know that  An orange packs over 170 different phytonutrients and more than 60 flavonoids, many of which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and blood clot inhibiting properties, as well as strong anti-oxidant effects?!! Add on that they are also an excellent source of vitamin C & One orange (130 grams) supplies nearly 100 % of the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin C. They also are a great source of fiber!  Leave in the albedo (the white matter under the peel) as much as possible as it contains the highest amount of valuable bioflavonoids and other anti-cancer agents. In addition to all that (as if we can take anymore......), oranges are a good source of vitamin A, the B vitamins, amino acids, beta-carotene, pectin, potassium, folic acid, calcium, iodine, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, manganese, chlorine and iron. Pretty impressive statistics for the pretty, beach ball looking fruit if you ask me! And, they are sooooo good!!!  

So....... I'm thinking that not only would coming up with a dreamy tasting orange smoothie be a yummy treat for my tastebuds....... but my body would be super grateful as well!

Orange Dreamscicle Smoothie

1/2 large orange (peeled)

1 container of vanilla carb smart yogurt

1/4 c unsweetened almond milk

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1tbsp oats

1 tbsp stevia

1/2 c ice

Blend it all up till ice is all blended &

everything is whipped up nice & smooth, garnish 

with an orange wedge & enjoy!