All posts tagged: smoothies and shakes

Smoothie Fail: Is Your Drink Making You Gain Weight?

Smoothie drinks, smoothie bowls…they’re all the rage now. It seems like almost everyone I know is throwing their not-so-healthy, sugary yogurts in the trash in favor of the smoothie trend. Smoothies are a great way to get a huge amount of nutrients with minimum effort. Everything about this seems awesome…right? So why are people worrying that their oh so healthy smoothie might be the culprit behind their weight gain? Is it even possible to gain weight from something so healthy?! The terrible answer is yes, but don’t freak out! I’ll break down why your smoothie or shake might be sabotaging your weight goals and what you can do about it! So let’s get down to business. My milkshake does bring all the boys to the yard, only it doesn’t have milk or sugar. It does have all the nutrients my body desperately needs and then some, but it’s easy to ruin a good thing if we fall into these traps: PORTION CONTROL Unfortunately too much of a good thing can be high calorie. ARGH! MUST …

Get Your Tropical Summer Shake On

I personally drink so many shakes per week, I truly just consider them a food group unto itself. I also think they’re a fabulous way to get a sweet fix in while maintaining a lower calorie count than getting a sugar laden shake or smoothie. I’ve become pretty stringent about making my own food and treats, because I know exactly what goes in them, and that just makes my OCD personality oh so happy. Recently, I accidentally made a super delicious shake, and it’s so simple that I had to share it. Ingredients: 1 cup frozen tropical fruit of your choice 1/2 fresh banana (or frozen) 1 can of Zevia soda (zero calories, uses Erythritol and Stevia; it’s “healthy-ish”) Extra: can throw in a handful of fresh greens like baby spinach Optional: add fresh snips of mint leaves or basil (surprisingly delicious with mango and other tropical fruit. I know this because I watch a ridiculous amount of cooking shows featuring food I never even eat. Um, rack of lamb? I mean, sure, I’m only a vegetarian …

Healthy “Frosty” Recipe That Doesn’t Suck (Promise)

I really love sweets. Well, and salty foods too, actually. What the heck, full disclosure I love eating. Still, despite the fact that my body constantly thinks it’s in full starvation a la “Naked & Afraid” survival mode, I try to make sure what I consume is going to be fuel for my body. Smoothies are my main goto; I feel like green smoothies are my major food group, like smoothie: it’s what’s for breakfast. And lunch. And probably dinner. I came across a smoothie recipe that defied reality and claimed to be both delicious and healthy. Despite feeling skeptical, I was particularly starved at that moment, what with not having any food for like a whole hour and a half, so I tried it. Surprisingly, it was a really tasty treat, and totally 4pm soothed my sweet tooth monster. It’s also a great post workout refuel treat. Here’s what you need: 3/4 cup (6 ounces) almond milk or coconut milk (if you don’t mind dairy, regular milk works fine) approximately 1 cup of ice (crushed or …