The OG of Green Smoothies

As a Barry’s Bootcamp instructor, I try to be creative when coming up with my class choreography. However, a squat will always be a squat regardless if I call it a pistol, sumo, thruster or whatever. As long as you know the basic movement keep your weight in your heels, chest open with hips sliding back and focus on your booty, you’re good. Some trainers (of course not at Barry’s!) will get overly creative and students lose the fundamentals, frustratedly doing random movement. 

Working in the health industry, it feels like gyms and bloggers are desperately trying to separate themselves through quirky workouts and gimmicky recipes. From food combining to spin classes that split the class up into teams that race each other, every one is trying to reinvent the wheel. It doesn’t take a 90 minute recipe to cook good food, despite what Blue Apron has taught me. 

Sometimes, it’s nice to know that some things as simple as they may be, are just perfect the way they are. When I post a smoothie picture on my Instagram, I will inevitably get asked for the recipe. I don’t share it usually because it’s so simple to me! This is my go to smoothie recipe. It hasn’t changed much over the years because its easy, cheap and delicious. It’s the original gangster of green smoothies. 

The few parts of this smoothie that have changed over the years are the protein powder and milk that I use. I avoid dairy milk and nut milks that use carrageenan now. As for protein powder, I try to use a vegan blend that is not sweetened with sucralose. My friends at Daily Burn sent me some samples of their new supplement line that features a post workout vegan protein powder sweetened with stevia and organic cane sugar. 

You can buy a box of 10 single serving packets for less than $29.99 or a 20 serving size tub for $38.99 It is vegan as well as gluten, dairy and soy free. The protein is blend from six sources including rice, quinoa, artichoke, hemp, sacha inchi and pea protein isolate. Each packet has 160 calories with 3g of fat, 9g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugar and 24 g of protein and is formulated with digestive enzymes as well! I think the packaging is a little flashy but the product is good stuff. 

The OG Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 packet or scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder (I used Fuel-6 from DailyBurn.com)
• 1 frozen banana (or other fruit of choice, see below)
• 1 handful of baby spinach or kale
• 8-12 ounces of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 cup ice

Directions; Combine and blend all the ingredients until consistency is smooth throughout. Enjoy with a straw! 

With this simple recipe, you need the protein powder in my opinion. Starting your day with a dose of protein has been shown to help people lose weight by keeping them full and energized until lunch. It’s also a great snack to have after a workout to repair your muscles and ensure you feel strong for tomorrow’s workout, too! 

“Ewwwww, bananas!?”

Many of you don’t like bananas – and if that’s you, feel free to sub out the banana for any other fruit your heart desires like pineapple, blueberries or my favorite, mango! I would recommend adding a tablespoon of fresh avocado as well if you do omit the banana to get a creamy texture. 

It may not be a ground breaking recipe, but it works and is reliable because I usually have all of the ingredients on hand. 

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by DailyBurn.com. DailyBurn.com is a leading online health and fitness brand, delivering first-class video workout programs and personalized nutrition plans to ensure that members reach their fitness goals. DailyBurn brings fitness and nutrition to members, anytime, anywhere, by streaming HD-quality workouts in a variety of disciplines from dance and high-intensity cardio to yoga, kettlebells and strength training. Unlimited access to DailyBurn’s plans is only $12.95 a month. For more information, visit http://dailyburn.com.