346/365 Fruit and Veggie Smoothie...Wonder Drug?

Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,

In my family, my dad is notorious for health fads, specifically fruit/vegetable smoothies.  Every few years since I was young we have welcomed a new blender into our kitchen and the smoothie craze would begin. We drank everything from carrot juice to green juice to mangosteen and back to carrot juice again, and so on. These phases would last a few months then die out. My father has always had an obsession for juicing. This time I think it's here to stay.

My dad showing off the variety in our daily smoothie

After watching a documentary on food and healthy eating, my father made a list of foods that we should eat on a daily basis. These foods include kale, beans, cauliflower, red wine, mushrooms, beets, and so much more. It's a lot to prep and cook these foods. My father is all about working smarter and not harder; enter smoothie phase 2012. He decided to invest in the Ninja Kitchen System 1100. Here he can stuff all the veggies and fruits possible (pears, beets, radishes, an apple, grapes, acai juice, celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, kiwi, a banana, berries, and flaxseed since variety is key!) and blend them to a pulp. In about 1 minutes and 30 seconds you have a variety of nutrients blended and several servings and fruits and vegetables gulped down into your body.

We certainly don't do it for the taste. We drink this mad concoction because we know it is a great way to prevent disease and infection. Note the dominance of vegetables in this smoothie. Vegetables have less sugar than fruits and are still packed with antioxidants. I think we can all agree that we get plenty of sugar in the rest of our diet and it's harder to eat lots of vegetables compared to lots of fruits. I don't feel particularly healthier just yet but I'm sure the unseen processes in my body are singing. With all the running and swimming (more later) I'm doing, I'm certain my cells are thankful for the antioxidants to battle the stressors and free radicals floating around inside me. I will say this, my dad's hair is darker and thicker than it's been in a long time. "Pope head," as my parents have lovingly called balding, seems to have been staved off at least for now. Cheers!

In health,
Lauren

59/365 Coffee Protein Smoothie Anyone?

Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,

Are you not really a breakfast person? Is the food just a little too much for your system? Have no fear, you can still get the necessary nutrients without having a traditional breakfast (and me not getting upset with you).

Kelby likes to do this in the morning to get things revved up: make a coffee protein smoothie! If you already enjoy having your java in the morning, add some protein (chocolate works wonderfully), soy/non-fat milk, and some fruit if you have it. Blend it all together and enjoy. The flavor is rich and full of energy to fuel your morning.

Sipping on your breakfast won't make you feel so full even though you're packing away close to 300 calories. So gather your ingredients, blend them together, and enjoy!

In health,

Lauren

18/365 Yum Yum Fruit-Yogurt Smoothie

Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,

Here's my yum yum recipe for a fruit and yogurt smoothie.

Ingredients:
1 cup frozen fruit (replaces need for ice)
1/2 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp peanut butter (to last you longer than an hour)
Dash of sugar

Directions:
Blend ingredients. Enjoy with a piece of toast and/or an egg for a wholesome breakfast or as a snack (~300 calores)!



In health,

Lauren