Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie

Chocolate PB Banana Smoothie

After a hard workout, it is sometimes hard to make a meal/snack that will replenish your body with the nutrients it needs. It's easy to grab a bag or box of whatever is on hand and begin to chow down. Sadly, this habit will basically eradicate any work you have just done and probably at compensatory calories to your daily intake. In other words- eating garbage after your workout doesn't help no matter how hard you exercised! 

I have begun to incorporate more protein smoothies into my daily regimen because they are tasty and often will kick a sweet tooth at the same time. 

Tonight I went a little bananas in my classes at the gym and felt that some protein would be necessary to fuel my muscles and body after my workout! This shake has 28 grams of protein, healthy fats and a nice little oomph of carbs!

Ingredients

1 scoop chocolate protein of your choice (I use Whole Foods Chocolate Whey)

1 frozen banana, sliced

2 tbsp organic peanut butter of your choice

16 oz of almond milk 

1) Pour almond milk into blender and add protein powder. Blend.

2) Add 1 tbsp of peanut butter and 1/2 frozen banana. Blend.

3) Repeat step 2 with remaining PB and banana. 

Enjoy! 

Tips:
a) dairy/soy/rice milk can be used but will alter protein content

b) If using organic peanut butter, keeping it refrigerated not only assists in reducing bacterial growth but also makes it much easier to mix or scoop out! 

c) I use a junky blender so if you have a high-end blender or something fancy, just toss it all in! 

A new challenge

So I am a nutrition/food geek but I do like to exercise too. In one of my late night, informercial binges I bought the Tracy Anderson method of "in-home personal training". Her method combines cardio/toning and a diet plan. I did day 1 of the "Hipcentric" plan (since my tush is the biggest part of my body). I have to say, the cardio portion was good. Alot of dancey, jumpy movements pretty much summed up the cardio segment. I worked up a good sweat and enjoyed myself. The toning portion was good but the section that focused on my problem area was KILLER! It was very repetitive and hard to get through but I know I will feel it.

The program requires you to do the same workout for 6 days straight, 1 day rest, then four more days. At the 10th day, you change into a different group of exercises.
I'll update my status periodically!

Here we go!