So Kiinde Twist makes a big pouch and it just so happens that I have been on a huge green smoothie kick. While I run every which way chasing kids and cleaning up after them I don’t always feed myself well. There are days the only thing I eat before dinner is the peanut butter and jelly crust leftover from lunch. This generally causes me to be a little cranky and tired by 4:30, which is right when I need to start thinking about dinner. Now I am starving and snacking on anything in site just to make it through. In addition to the sad state of cranky snacking on Gerber Puffs, not eating can cause a drop in metabolism, which actually causes weight gain. Nobody wants that!
This smoothie storage plan seems like the obvious solution to all my problems. Two handfuls of spinach, 3 frozen strawberries, half a banana, half a cup unsweetened almond milk combined with a couple scoops of whey protein make a perfect meal substitute. Think about it, its the basic nutritional equal to a spinach and strawberry salad topped with grilled chicken and no dressing. Now think about the dirty dishes you need to create in order to actually make that for lunch, and you are sold. You can substitute this for lunch or breakfast, but I do not recommend both. You actually need something more substantial if we are going to make it through the week with our health and sanity intact.
A quick word about protein powder. I have checked out everything from pure spirulina powder, to vegan rice and soy proteins, to plain old whey protein. I have researched this to make sure I am not leading you all down the wrong path, and what I have found is that you do not have to spend $100 a month on protein powder. Unless you are allergic to dairy or vegan and not getting the right amounts of nutrients in your diet, you can just buy the $20 whey protein at the grocery store. You are looking for a protein powder with at least 15 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, but less than 5 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fat, and 110 calories tops. The protein powders that boast having 50 different vegetables are really not what you need. You need to eat those vegetables rather than depend on their highly processed powdered versions. We want all that iron and fiber that fresh spinach has to offer with out having to create an additional meal for ourselves, because we know it won’t actually happen. Remember, we are substituting a meal, not trying to bulk up after our 4 hour weight lifting session at the gym.
So do your self a favor, make this smoothie and know that this is the clear winner over whatever you were planning on stress eating at 2:45 in car line!
5 oz Baby Spinach
1 2/3 frozen Bananas in chunks
10 frozen Strawberries
2 1/2 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
5 servings Whey protien for my mix this is 10 scoops, but find the equivalent with your powder
1- Dig in the freezer or fruit bowl for the needed fruit. I prefer to use frozen fruit for a super smooth ice free smoothie, but since we are freezing these after, it should work the same if you are using fresh.
2- I am working this recipe in small batches. If you have a large high powered blender, you can do this all at once. I have found my small personal smoothie maker breaks down the frozen fruit better than my large blender or food processor. Each batch should get 2 scoops protein powder, 2 strawberries, a handful of spinach, 1/2 cup almond milk, and a third of a banana. If you are using fresh fruit, you can work this in a large blender, no problem.
3- Blend until smooth and portion into your large twist bags for easy lunches all week! Feel free to still snack on peanut butter and jelly crusts, a few extra carbs won't hurt you!
