When the Summer started I started something new. That was to get up, get dressed, and go out walking. At the beginning 45 minutes felt like torture (mentally and physically), but then over time I began to look forward to my walking time. It really became a peaceful moment in my day, and I wanted to get out there on that pavement. Before I knew it I was walking 4 miles every morning. When I could walk it all I began jogging some of it, and when you add little by little guess what? You can end up being able to run the whole thing, and that it a great feeling. Anyhow - if moving more is something you want to start - get out there and do it! You can do it!
Now that the weather is changing it can be more challenging to stay warm (50 degrees this morning), but I am keeping up with my walking/jogging/running. I just go at whatever pace I feel like that day. I thought I would share with you the drink that I make each morning when I get back home. I always go out on an empty stomach - a trainer I know told me if you do that you burn your fat instead of the breakfast that you just consumed. Just a little tip - it sounds sensible.
My Vegan Based - Dairy and Gluten Free - Protein Smoothie - Chocolate Raspberry
1 cup water
1 cup Silk unsweetened original almond milk
1 heaping tablespoon ground chia seed
raw almond butter - I just stick the knife in the jar and then drop and big glop of it into the blender
a big handful of Earthbound Farm organic power greens
a couple sprinkles of cinnamon
1 heaping tablespoon of raw organic cocoa powder
Virgin Diet extra fiber - I use a half serving
1 level scoop of Nutri-Bullet powder
2 level scoops of The Virgin Diet Chocolate All In One Shake
1 cup organic raspberries (I like Trader Joe's)
I use a simple Kitchen Aid blender - just put all ingredients in the blender - then mix-puree-liquify! Mine is a little thick, but that is because of the fiber. Omit the fiber if you want a thinner consistency. I just started playing around with the ingredients, and this is what I came up with that I like and stick with. One last note is that I also rotate the chocolate powder here and there. When I don't use The Virgin Diet chocolate powder I use Garden of Life Raw Protein - Beyond Organic Protein Formula in the Chocolate Cocoa flavor powder, and then increase the raw cocoa powder to 2 heaping tablespoons - otherwise I don't think it has enough chocolate flavor :) The Garden of Life powder is a little chalky. I also sometimes use 1 scoop of The Virgin diet powder and 1/2 of a scoop of the Garden of Life powder with 1 heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder. This way I am getting a full serving of protein, but mixing up the powders.
Here are photo's of the ingredients I most often use. The only thing I change would be the almond butter because when Trader Joe's has it I buy it there. Also, I sometimes use spinach instead of Power Greens.
That is a lot of rambling on about a shake, but it's not your normal Smoothie. Eliminating certain foods from your diet makes it more challenging or maybe I should say just different from traditional thinking when combining ingredients. I will talk more about the JJ Virgin diet in my next post. That will give you more of an idea how I ended up with this, and you will see that it is loaded with healthiness and foods that are less likely to cause inflammation in your body. Let's just say I always thought dairy was a healthy food to consume - and it is UNLESS you are allergic. The truth is the same for all foods - so just think - that something you think you are eating that is good for you could be causing you problems.
Hope everyone is well.
Happy Thursday!
