I've never set specific fitness/diet goals before (aside from "eat better" and "exercise more"), and I decided it's time to start!
Current goal: Weight training 3-4 times a week for the next 2 weeks. Doable? Totally!
On that note...post-workout, especially if you're doing muscle building exercise, you want to make sure your body is getting plenty of protein and good carbs. It speeds up the recovery process and gives you energy. Smoothies are a great option for getting both of these! This recipe comes from my new diet plan from Tone It Up.
Side note: If you haven't heard of Tone It Up, I'm pretty much obsessed. It's these two trainers/nutrition coaches from California, and they have recipes, workouts, tips, and a bunch more. It's been a huge inspiration and motivator for me. There's even an online community full of other people who have the same struggles/successes on their health journey. Thanks to Annie for introducing me to TIU!
Mid-Morning Shake
Ingredients:
1/2 a banana
1/4 cup strawberries, halved (I just used 3 frozen whole strawberries)
1/4 cup blueberries (also frozen)
1 tsp all-natural 100% maple syrup
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I used whey)
1 cup almond or rice milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
Blend everything together until smooth!
Easy - check. Delicious - check.
Showing posts with label Banana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Banana. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal
Only 13 more days until I'm in my new apartment! I can't wait to make myself an entire meal. I'm falling waaaaay out of my healthy eating habits. I blame the dining hall for offering like 4 options for every meal. And I don't mean each meal is 4 new options, I mean it's the same every single time. I'm so sick of the same mushy veggies that I have started doing the whole "Nothing sounds good...pasta with alfredo and chicken strips it is." Which is exactly what caused me to put on all of my college weight when I was living on campus.
I have managed to find a couple of go-to options that I actually like, and this is one of them. I don't have a picture, because I've been making it in the dining hall, but I did want to share the recipe! It's super easy, and you could use any time of plain oatmeal...instant, quick cooking, steel cut, or anything else really.
Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal
Ingredients:
3/4 cup cooked oatmeal (follow directions for whatever type of oatmeal you're using)
1 1/2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 small banana, cut into bite sized pieces
1 tsp honey
Add peanut butter and honey to cooked oatmeal and stir well to combine. Fold in banana.
Taste Rating: 7
Easy Rating: 9
Other than cutting up the banana, this is a breeze. Especially since the dining hall has ready-to-eat oatmeal. It still wouldn't be difficult if I had to make the oatmeal myself, though!
Overall Rating: 8
Given that this is a well-balanced meal on its own, I'm gonna say this is pretty awesome. Whole grains, fruit, healthy fats, protein...talk about a power breakfast!
I have managed to find a couple of go-to options that I actually like, and this is one of them. I don't have a picture, because I've been making it in the dining hall, but I did want to share the recipe! It's super easy, and you could use any time of plain oatmeal...instant, quick cooking, steel cut, or anything else really.
Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal
Ingredients:
3/4 cup cooked oatmeal (follow directions for whatever type of oatmeal you're using)
1 1/2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 small banana, cut into bite sized pieces
1 tsp honey
Add peanut butter and honey to cooked oatmeal and stir well to combine. Fold in banana.
Taste Rating: 7
Easy Rating: 9
Other than cutting up the banana, this is a breeze. Especially since the dining hall has ready-to-eat oatmeal. It still wouldn't be difficult if I had to make the oatmeal myself, though!
Overall Rating: 8
Given that this is a well-balanced meal on its own, I'm gonna say this is pretty awesome. Whole grains, fruit, healthy fats, protein...talk about a power breakfast!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
Happy Father's Day! I had a great time making dinner with my mom for father's day. We made my dad steak with mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans. Plus a coffee ice cream pie for dessert. It was all sooo delicious! We ate a really late lunch (like at 3:00), so I knew I wouldn't be hungry for dinner. This smoothie seemed like the perfect snack/small meal for later.
This recipe was from my newest addition to my cookbook collection: 125 Best Blender Recipes. I bought this little magazine style cookbook about a week ago, because I knew I would be needing some good blender recipes. They have smoothies, cocktails, soups, salad dressings, and more, so I figured it would be a worthy investment even if I wasn't in the dorms.
Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 small ripe banana, cut in half
1 tsp creamy peanut butter (I used 2. You can never have too much PB, right?)
1/2 cup low fat milk (I used skim)
Ice (I used about 2 cups)
Directions:
In blender, combine banana, milk, peanut butter, and ice. Blend until mixture is smooth and frothy.
Makes 1 smoothie: 165 calories, 6 g protein, 28 g carbs, 4 g total fat (2 g saturated), 2 g fiber, 5 mg cholesterol, 85 mg sodium
Taste Rating: 6
I'm definitely going for a whole tablespoon of peanut butter next time. It's just a teeny bit bland, but that could also be from using skim milk instead of 1 or 2%. My banana also wasn't that ripe, so a riper banana would add some extra sweetness.
Easy Rating: 9
Pour everything into a blender and press a button...
Overall Rating: 7.5
I think with the extra peanut butter and a riper banana, this would be pretty good. I'm thinking I'll make it for breakfast next time.
This recipe was from my newest addition to my cookbook collection: 125 Best Blender Recipes. I bought this little magazine style cookbook about a week ago, because I knew I would be needing some good blender recipes. They have smoothies, cocktails, soups, salad dressings, and more, so I figured it would be a worthy investment even if I wasn't in the dorms.
Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 small ripe banana, cut in half
1 tsp creamy peanut butter (I used 2. You can never have too much PB, right?)
1/2 cup low fat milk (I used skim)
Ice (I used about 2 cups)
Directions:
In blender, combine banana, milk, peanut butter, and ice. Blend until mixture is smooth and frothy.
Makes 1 smoothie: 165 calories, 6 g protein, 28 g carbs, 4 g total fat (2 g saturated), 2 g fiber, 5 mg cholesterol, 85 mg sodium
Taste Rating: 6
I'm definitely going for a whole tablespoon of peanut butter next time. It's just a teeny bit bland, but that could also be from using skim milk instead of 1 or 2%. My banana also wasn't that ripe, so a riper banana would add some extra sweetness.
Easy Rating: 9
Pour everything into a blender and press a button...
Overall Rating: 7.5
I think with the extra peanut butter and a riper banana, this would be pretty good. I'm thinking I'll make it for breakfast next time.
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