Smoothies

[happybird]

It probably doesn't qualify as full-on cooking, but I've been making the tastiest smoothies!

I'm not much of a breakfast eater and they have been perfect as my first light meal of the day. The temperature is refreshing and makes for a nice wake up.

A handful of frozen blueberries, about 1/2 a peach, 1/2 a banana, vanilla yogurt, a splash of milk to thin it a bit, and a good shake of cinnamon. On mornings I'm craving extra sweetness, I'll add a tsp. of sugar.

I got a little blender, a Faberware version of a Magic Bullet, on super clearance a couple years ago. Had barely used it until last week, now it's getting a daily work out. I've noticed I'm not eating as much throughout the rest of the day if I have a smoothie in the morning.

[csziggy]

1. I used smoothies a lot to lose weight for surgery

I found that to keep my protein levels up, I needed to add a protein powder to my smoothies - vanilla flavor works best in fruit smoothies. I liked whey protein powder but there are other choices out there. Since I was keeping my calories and carbs low, I used Splenda or Stevia for sweetener. Sometimes I would also add Benefiber if I had not had enough vegetables. Then, to bulk out the smoothie, I'd add a cup of ice cubes and let my blender chew them up. I'd end up with over 16 ounces of smoothie which filled me up, kept me hydrated, and gave me a protein boost!

I also found a smoothie that satisfied my chocolate cravings:

1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 tsp instant coffee (for a mocha smoothie - optional)
2 scoops chocolate protein powder
2 packets sweetener (splenda or stevia)
1-2 cups ice cubes

Blend thoroughly and enjoy.

[happybird]

2. Which brand of protein powder do you buy?

That would make a great addition!

I've tried two different brands in the past (can't remember the names, it was years ago). One was great, the other had a strange taste. I ended up throwing it away when cleaning out the pantry. It was pretty pricey so it sat in the pantry for a couple years before it finally got tossed.

The chocolate smoothie sounds fabulous, especially with the coffee crystals!

[csziggy]

3. Mostly I've gotten Publix Greenwise Whey Protein Powder

Last time around my husband bought one from Walmart (he was there picking up his prescription and it was on display). Let's see - that is Integrated Supplements Home Edition Whey Isolate protein chocolate flavor. With the chocolate smoothie I just put in a lot of cocoa - and I really like the Hershey's dark chocolate cocoa since it covers up any odd flavors.

When I was seriously cutting carbs I used almond milk, but it was thinner and less satisfying. Now that I got down to my current target weight and am recovering from my back surgery I am not being as stringent so I am back to using regular milk.

My plan is to maintain where I am now (about 223 - way under my top weight of 287) through my recovery and for our trip to Britain later this year. When I get home I will evaluate where I am and set a new weight loss goal.

[happybird]

4. Just got stuck looking at reviews and info on powders

Wow, there are a lot of brands and opinions out there. I'm going to go with a whey- based one, too. Just need to narrow it down by taste and texture reviews vs. price. I'm hoping to find some smaller-sized containers so I can try the product out before spending $40-$50 on something I may not like the taste of.

That's awesome you are down to your target weight! Congrats! Hopefully that will help with your back. My husband lost weight because he was pre-diabetic and noticed a big difference in his amount of back pain. And I bet it's nice to have regular milk again, lol! I've tried all the different nut milks and didn't care for any of them. Well, cashew milk was ok but I still prefer good ol' cow's milk.

[Kali]

5. throw a big handful of baby spinach and some cooked carrot

in there and you have a ton of colorful fruits and vegs for the day that you won't even notice. a spoonful of nut butter tops that off, but I would rather eat nuts by themselves.

dates make a great sweetener as well.

[happybird]

6. I love spinach

and eat what is probably and absurd amount of it each week. I put it in just about everything and, if it's not already in the meal, I'll have a spinach side salad. Can't get enough of the stuff.

That's how we eat burgers- no bun, but on a bed of baby spinach and topped with what we now call "burger sauce." It's actually a simple spinach salad dressing I used to make by the gallon when working as a prep cook. We found out by happy accident it's great on burgers (apple cider vinegar, sugar, oil, a little minced onion and garlic, salt and pepper, and a little ketchup- the longer it sits in the fridge the better it gets).Toss some bacon and tomatoes in the bowl and dinner is served! If I'm feeling particularly ambitious, chopped hard boiled egg and paper thin red onion slices go on top.

I've always liked spinach but don't know where this obsession with it came from. It started 3-4 years ago. Maybe I'm low on iron or Vitamin A and my body started craving it??

I like dates, too, and didn't think of them for smoothies. That would be a better option than the tsp of sugar. Will try it out!

[Kali]

7. yeah, I have really come to appreciate spinach in the last few years

so easy to put it in all kinds of stuff and like you, as a base for any meat entree.

[locks]

8. I have a smoothie almost every day

Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, avocados, bananas, grapes, carrots, beets, oranges, juice, yogurt, kiwis, pears, peaches, pineapple, apples, or any fruit or veg you like. For a family use a large powerful blender and serve cold. Kids usually love them.

[Trueblue Texan]

9. I have a keifer smoothie everyday...

I start with my own homemade keifer, add some maple syrup, a thick slice of organic unpeeled navel orange for probiotic food source, a peeled mandarin orange, a heaping cup of frozen strawberries. no ice needed and it's a big 'ol smoothie that'll keep you filled for hours. If you love spinach try adding a handful and maybe even a tablespoon of nutritional yeast. Makes it all taste like cheese cake.