When I was a few months in to my health journey I hit my first plateau. With some research I decided to add weight training and high quality protein to my routine. This felt so good that I began to make smoothies for the whole family for breakfast every day and everyone is feeling great.

When I changed my routine to add weight training and these smoothies as a breakfast replacement I lost an additional 20lbs. in 4 months without changing anything else.

Truth be told, our typical smoothie is not the most delicious. However, it is jam packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that make our bodies feel so strong. I really don’t care about the taste and it’s come to grow on the whole family. Most recipes are delicious, this one is more fuel, and it is powerful. Although my family complained about the taste of the smoothies, when I stopped making them (I was unable to tolerate during my first trimester of pregnancy) they ended up asking for them after a couple of weeks because they could feel the difference in their bodies.

If you are being specific about your protein intake, hold your portion aside and mix separately after making for the group. If you are prepping ahead of time… You can add everything else the night before or a couple of hours before, just add the protein right before you consume it. For the most bioavailability (usefulness when in conjunction with your workout) it is best to consume your smoothie within 20 minutes start to finish. Protein is best taken immediately after a workout or about 2 hours before your workout.

As with everything else, go as local and organic as possible for accessibility and cost.

This makes enough for breakfast for 4. The kids each get 14oz and the adults get closer to 18oz.

Equipment:
Blender

Ingredients:
2 (half green*) bananas
3T fermented cacao
handful of nuts (almond, walnut usually) or 2T raw almond butter
3T ground flax/chia
6oz frozen berries
6oz dark leafy greens (usually spinach, but whatever I have on hand)
Coldest tap water to the top (you can also use almond milk for a portion of this).
4 big scoops of your favorite* protein powder
2t Spirulina (I add this in after I give the kids their portions because the taste is very off-putting, but it is SO good for you!)

Method:
1. Add everything but the protein powder* to the blender, fill with water to the fill line as needed. Blend to smooth.
2. Add in protein powder and blend until combined. Add Spirulina if desired.

*I once saw a doctor talking about making smoothies (will add name when I recall it!!) who said to wait until the end for the powder because blending it from the beginning will give you unnecessary gas/bloating.
*Green bananas contain prebiotic resistant starch which feeds your good gut bacteria among other vital vitamins and minerals.
*Our current favorite is Performance Lab Sport.
*I also add in my Balance of Nature Fruits and Veggies (empty each capsule into the blender or the vegetable cellulose will make it thick and bubbly). You can find a link to them here.

These smoothies are an incredible start to the morning, you can adjust as needed for your body and your goals.

Enjoy! Please let me know if you implemented these into your routine, how much better you feel!