Vegan Power II!
Another friend, gym-mate, and fellow vegan, Matt, will be fighting this weekend in San Francisco. Despite my jealousy from watching him eat platefuls of chips and guacamole, pizza, and a generous slice of Maggie Mudd ice cream cake less than a week before weigh-in, I wish him luck. Hurray for ass-kicking vegans!
Admittedly, I'm not the most disciplined eater. There's a half-box of candy cane Joe-Joe's in the kitchen calling my name. It's a little daunting when my coach just told me yesterday that he'd like to see me fight at a weight I haven't seen since high school. I like food and I like to eat! It's not too surprising that I managed to turn the freshman 15 into the sophomore 50. After several years and falling in love with the gym, I feel much healthier and happier than I used to. I still feel pretty good about cake, too, but I try to keep on track nowadays by starting each morning off with my go-to shake.
Breakfast of champions
The idea of green shakes always repulsed me until I tried one, but I've learned that they don't really taste like blended salad with the right combination of ingredients. I combine soy, almond, or rice milk with a couple tablespoons of hemp protein, 2-4 leaves of kale or collard greens, about 3/4 - 1 cup of frozen strawberries, 2 - 3 pitted Medjool dates, 1 teaspoon of flax seeds, and about a teaspoon of cocoa powder, and then hit it with the immersion blender. If I have it on hand, I'll throw in a handful of spinach, lettuce, or cilantro. Maybe some frozen pineapple, if I'm feeling really crazy.
To be honest, it doesn't sound too palatable when I see the ingredients listed out, but I promise that you can't really taste the greens (OK, you can taste cilantro...) They just add a fresh, bright flavor to what really just tastes like a chocolate-strawberry shake. It's a nice dose of protein and carbs, and full of vitaminy, fibery, Omega goodness, all wrapped up in tasty drink.
9 comments:
You almost have me convinced to try a green shake.. almost.
Green shakes are awesome. Just make sure to add some frozen bananas and some agave to sweetened it even more.
I went all crazy after visiting your blog the other day. Not only did I make the butterscotch cookies but I also ordered Teese online. Holy crap Teese is good. We've eaten the Nacho Teese on nachos and instead of melting it on the stove first, I melted it in a little bowl in the microwave and then drizzled it over the chips. So good! The cookie part of the butterscotch cookies was really good but I wasn't a big fan of the butterscotch chips. Oh well.
I hope your friend did well! I would also be very jealous watching someone eat like that. I feel like I have to watch every little bite I take, and don't do so well with it. At least you're getting to the gym and feeling empowered, that's great!
I have not been able to bring myself to make smoothies with the weather lately, I always want something warm for breakfast. Your green smoothies sound nice. Maybe when it starts to warm up...
Which blender do you use? I am researching into VitMix right now, but it is just too expensive, although promises fantastic results that would otherwise be worth the expense. Any tips?
Green shakes are surprisingly good! When I'm lazy, I just throw in ice, soy milk, kale, and bananas- oh, and a bit of ground flaxseeds. It's REALLY good, and doesn't need any sweetener.
Right on. I got way more interested in UFC when I heard of Mac Danzig, a fighter who is vegan. I hope Matt did well!
That smoothie sounds so great! I start my mornings almost every day with a green smoothie (very similar to yours--even the hemp protein!), but I haven't put cocoa powder in yet! I should try that tomorrow... Mondays sometimes need something special, you know? :)
The shake Does look good! Just gotta say your Japan posts inspired me greatly during my trip. Thanks!
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