Tropical Protein Smoothie

DSC_0011Has anyone ever tried the Vega plant protein? It’s disgusting! I don’t know how anyone drinks that stuff! Let alone even looks at it…. it’s this disgusting brown colour that reminds me of you know what. It even smells like seaweed. Alright, if that’s your thing…cool. But HOW are you drinking this stuff???? I couldn’t even get half of it down before I felt like I was going to throw up. The creators of Vega protein should have really tasted the product before releasing it out into the world. Blech.

I’ve been experimenting with protein powders lately and I’ve found that most of the vegan protein powders just don’t digest well and taste awful. Come on people, who is going to come up with a vegan powder that actually tastes edible and doesn’t make me bloated beyond belief? Unfortunately, I can’t wait around for that so I began my experimentation with whey protein which is made from dairy. So far, I’ve found that the Alpha Whey is the best tasting and most easily digested. The vanilla flavoring of some protein powders can be overwhelmingly sweet and I’m just not down for that, but the Alpha protein has a good vanilla flavor. It doesn’t make me bloated, and keeps me full and energetic until lunchtime (boo ya!).

DSC_0002This is the kind of smoothie you’d want to have while you were relaxing in a comfy chair in your backyard, in the early morning sun of summer. It’s thick and creamy, tangy, and sweet.

DSC_00031/2 cup cubed mango
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 cup chopped strawberries
2/3 cup orange juice
1 – 2 scoops vanilla whey protein
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Mix all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

*Note – whey protein sometimes doesn’t blend well at first, I recommend pulsing until it’s combined just a little bit to get the ball rolling.

Kitchen Sink Granola

DSC_0006Starting to feel back in tune with my body feels reeeeeeeally good. It’s taken a few weeks to get back on the right track, but I’m finally getting there. I suppose I had a “new years resolution” of sorts to help my body out, but it didn’t happen on purpose. I mean, it wasn’t really a resolution. It just so happened that I was feeling very out of tune with myself around the end of December (obviously from the holidays). When my body and brain aren’t one with each other I feel very out of whack.

I don’t believe in a diet, simply listening to your body and the signals it’s giving you is the best kind of “diet” out there. More of an anti diet, I guess. I don’t think you need to completely cut everything you enjoy out of the picture (carbs, sugar, chocolate, whatever else it may be). That is a foolproof way of failing at whatever goal you are attempting. It really bothers me how some people can get so extreme about a diet, and assume the results are going to happen overnight;  that the number on the scale is going to go down 20 pounds in a week. Now, I’m no licensed nutritionist or health adviser, but from past experience it is not worth going ballistic over seeing the number drop or rise. If you’re feeling good mentally and physically that is something to be very proud of.

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I could never cut sugar out completely. I love it to much (curse you never ending sweet tooth). Not to mention how hungry I am all the time from working out so much. It’s like my metabolism has ended up in the fast lane and can’t get back. I’m literally hungry all day long (not that I’m complaining). I have a very good relationship with food. Believe me.

Having that said, I smother my food in honey, agave, maple syrup, and load up my granola and breakfasts with dried fruits. I know it’s sugar but I feel somewhat better about it when it’s from a natural source. Don’t you?

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I called this granola Kitchen Sink Granola because it is a mess of a granola. With everything imagined crammed in there.

1 1/2 cup large flaked oats
3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup chopped dates
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
1/4 cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup agave (or honey)
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9″ x 9″ baking dish with PAM and line with parchment.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
3. Bake for 15 – 25 minutes. Continue baking if you want a drier, crunchier granola.
4. Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan. Once removed, break into clusters with hands and store in an airtight container.
5. Nom nom nom nom nom