Super Easy Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

This smoothie takes 1… maybe 2 minutes. It’s sweet without indulging too much and gives us that “protein” that our carnivore friends always worry about. I love adding peanut butter to smoothies these days because it’s creamy and fills me up between meals. I especially love this as a post-workout snack. Or as a “I’m not working out but I’m going to eat a post-workout snack anyway” snack. Either way.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 Tbsp peanut butter
• 1 serving of protein powder (I normally just do 1/2 a scoop for mine because the brand I use has tons of protein in a full scoop)
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• Water, as needed to thin it out (about 2-3 Tbsp)

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

I purchased a new smoothie maker the other day. The top part of the smoothie maker doubles as a to-go cup so it makes the process much easier. I haven’t been sick with a cold in over a year but somehow I developed a bad cold this last week. I decided a smoothie this morning might help cure the congestion.

Ingredients:

• 10 strawberries
• 1 banana
• 2/3 cup chocolate soy milk
• 2/3 cup plain or vanilla soy yogurt

Directions:

1. Cut up strawberries and banana into small chunk and blend with other ingredients until smooth.

1920s Dinner Party

I hosted book club at my apartment this last week. The book was Great Gatsby so of course I wanted to do a little 1920s theme. The only problem? The prohibition-era was all about dairy, eggs and meat. The solution? Mason jars, vintage fonts and a huge Waldorf salad. I typed out labels in a vintage-style font and stuck them into wine corks. For the food, I used a sweet lemon dressing for the Waldorf salad instead of the heavy, mayonnaise-based dressing that is usually used. After adding some pasta, roasted veggies and pudding (topped with Oreo crumbs!), I ended up with delicious vegan meal. My sister’s wedding had a 1920s theme and she served a drink called Bee’s Knees. It consists of gin, honey and lemonade. I did a slight twist on this drink and simply used gin, lemonade and  a splash of orange juice. It was very refreshing and not too sweet. The dinner went well and I’m already looking forward to my next opportunity for a themed veggie dinner party!

Links to select recipes:

Sweet Lemon Dressing

Chocolate Pudding

Italian Roasted Vegetables

Bill Clinton’s Super Smoothie

When presidents eat breakfast in bed, this is what they enjoy. This, and the occasional intern. Clinton has reported that he enjoys almond milk fruit smoothies with protein powder in the morning. Since he was voted Peta’s vegan of the year, maybe he’s on to something great. I certainly think you can’t go wrong with a smoothie.

Super Bowl XLVI hits Indy this week. I am very excited to be able to see Super Bowl festivities first hand (Note I said “festivities,” not “game.” Money doesn’t grow on trees). And it’s just a short 10 blocks from my apartment. Quick stumble home? Check plus. Anyway, in honor of the game this weekend (go Peyton… I mean, Eli) and in honor of the serious antioxidant power in this smoothie, I am calling it… SUPER SMOOTHIE.

Yields 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 10 strawberries
• 1 cup frozen berries
• 1 cup chocolate almond milk
• 3 scoops of chocolate protein powder

And blend!

Per cup:

• 148 calories
• 25 carbs
• 2 grams of fat
• 9 grams of protein
• 18% DV of iron
• 25% DV of calcium