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The Smoothie Operator visits Daily Harvest

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World’s collided when my day job working with innovative food startups at Food-X took me to the Daily Harvest offices, where I got to experience the magic that is their flash frozen smoothies…3 times. A carrot cake-tasting smoothie that rivaled my very own was just one of three smoothies I indulged in all before 9 AM. Gluttony at it’s finest, but this was also field research as far as I’m concerned (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it).

Daily Harvest was cool enough to give me a bunch of smoothies to try out. I’ll be sharing the experience on the blog, so stayed tuned. Peace.

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Acai Super Smoothie & Power Yoga Workout

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The term “Superfood” gets thrown around a lot, but the acai berry is truly deserving of the label.  It has numerous health benefits that will be listed in the Food Key below, but there are a lot of products out there looking to capitalize on the hype surrounding acai berries.  Don’t get conned into thinking that acai is some kind of weight loss miracle.  Acai berries are good for your overall health, but if you want to burn fat, just keep coming back to The Smoothie Operator, and get your fitness on with any of the various workouts I share.  Now on to more important things…here’s the recipe!

PhotoGrid_14413052270471 Acai Berry Superfruit Pack (Available at Whole Foods and other dope grocers)

1 Banana

1/2 Cup Blueberries

1 Tablespoon Natural Peanut Butter

1 Tablespoon Raw Sunflower Seeds

1 Cup Almond Milk

FOOD KEY

– Acai Berries: vitamins A, B(1,2,3), C & E, calcium, magnesium, zinc copper, fiber, amino acids and is LOADED with Antioxidants!

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

– Blueberries: vitamins K & C, manganese, fiber and copper

– Peanut Butter: protein, potassium, fiber, vitamins E & B6, and magnesium

– Sunflower Seeds: vitamins B(1,3,6) and E, copper, selenium, phosphorus, folate and magnesium

Power Yoga Workout w/ Sean Vigue

This yoga routine from YouTube Fitness Boss Sean Vigue is great for building strength, improving balance and increasing flexibility.  Do it.

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Apple Watermelon Jolly Rancher Smoothie & Advanced Core Burning Yoga Flow

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Hello peeps! Long time no see.  I hope all of your summers have been amazing.  Personally, I think the summer weather is gonna last through October (wishful thinking).  I know it’s been a while since I dropped some smoothie goodness on you, but today I come correct with an Apple Watermelon Jolly Rancher Smoothie inspired by one of my favorite childhood treats.  I wasn’t exactly sure how the watermelon and almond milk would mesh, but the results were outstanding.  I even got the thumbs up from my little Smoothie Operator Assistant.  This recipe is simple and delicious.  Enjoy!

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1 Sliced Organic Apple

1/2 Cup Diced Watermelon

1 Cup Baby Spinach – Locally Grown if possible 🙂

1 Cup Organic Almond Milk

FOOD KEY

– Apples: potassium, vitamin C and pectin (helps control cholesterol and blood sugar)

– Watermelon: vitamins A, B6 & C, lycopene, antioxidants & amino acids

– Spinach: vitamins A, B1,2,3 &6, C, E & K, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, potassium, fiber, phosphorous, zinc, protein and selenium (SUPER STACKED!!)

Core Burning Yoga Flow

Here is a great, challenging yoga routine from Tyler McCoy.  I had admittedly gotten a little lazy with my yoga, but this routine had a great combination of moderately advanced poses and speed that really challenged me.  Hope you like it.  Namaste.

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Banana Pear & Kale Smoothie + All Everything 15 Minute Body Weight Workout

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1 Banana

1 Organic Pear

1 Cup Organic Kale

1 Tablespoon Organic Steel Cut Oats

1 Tablespoon Raw Sunflower Seeds

1 Tablespoon Powdered Peanut Butter

1 Cup Coconut Milk

FOOD KEY

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

– Pears: fiber, potassium and copper

– Kale: vitamins, A, B6 &C, potassium, copper, folic acid, calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and zinc (MEGA-STACKED!!)

– Oats: fiber and protein

– Sunflower Seeds: vitamins B(1,3,6) and E, copper, selenium, phosphorus, folate and magnesium

– Powdered Peanut Butter: protein, fiber and potassium

– Coconut milk: vitamins B(1,3,5,6), C & E, iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and is lactose free

ALL EVERYTHING BODY WEIGHT WORKOUT

I put this workout together last week and I’m not gonna lie…it’s awesome.  It hits the entire body, with extra attention to the abs (because summer), and only takes 15 minutes.  Do each exercise listed below for 1 minute straight, resting 15 seconds between each exercise.  Do each exercise at the highest intensity you can muster for maximum cardio.

1. Jumping Jacks

2. Dragon Flags (click here for demo). These are brutal, so I did them early to get them out of the way.

3. Sliding leg curls. (click here for demo)

4. Burpees

5. Bicycle Crunches

6. Levitation Squat (click here for demo and go to 3:22 mark)

7. Cross-Body Mountain Climbers (click here for demo)

8. Extended Arm Push-ups (click here for demo)

9. Sliding Jackknifes (click here for demo)

10. Running in place (click here for demo)

11. Dive Bomber Push-ups (click here for demo)

12. Jumping Mule Kicks  (click here for demo)

A few of these exercises are kinda nuts, so if you can’t do one, substitute a similar exercise you can do for a minute straight.  The goal is to get a great, quick workout, not kill yourself.

Throwback Thursday Smoothie & 10 Minute Yoga Meltdown Workout

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Today’s smoothie is a twist on the very first smoothie I ever made – Bananas, Mixed Berries, Peanut Butter & Almond Milk.  It’s pretty much the “Same Script, Different Cast,” with Powdered Peanut Butter and Almond Coconut Blend standing in for the originals.  Before you get your smoothie on, get a nice, quick yoga session in with another great practice from Sean Vigue Fitness.

PhotoGrid_14310125206591 Banana

1 Cup Frozen Organic Mixed Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries

2 Tablespoons PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter

1 Cup Almond Coconut Milk Blend

FOOD KEY 

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

– Strawberries: vitamins C & B5, potassium, folic acid and magnesium 

– Blueberries: vitamins K & C, manganese, fiber and copper

– Blackberries: vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and copper

– Raspberries: vitamins C & A, potassium, magnesium and fiber

– Powdered Peanut Butter: protein, fiber and potassium

10 Minute Yoga Meltdown Workout

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

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Here is a great smoothie from Shine On Be.U.tiful that is perfect for these hot summer days.

Shine On Beautiful

Peanut butter. One of my favorite foods in the entire world. In fact, I really enjoy all nut butters (especially almond butter!).

Peanut butter was ALWAYS a “bad” food when I was stuck in my eating disorder. I wasn’t allowed to have it, according to Anamia (screw her, right!).

Recovery showed me that, first of all, Anamia is a psycho crazy bitch who has no say in what I eat, think, or feel. She is a monster. But secondly, recovery also taught me about quality versus quantity. I’m sure many people struggling would agree that they would rather eat a bowl full of bland celery than have a spoonful of rich tasty peanut butter (I’m not trying to diss celery). Why? Because the peanut butter is high in calories and 20140514-154138.jpgfats and when someone struggles with an eating disorder that’s all they choose to focus on.

BUT, which one is…

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Killer Washboard Ab Workout & Sweet Broccoli Smoothie (YUMMM!!)

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My Double Feature continues with 2 killer routines from Mike Chang (Six Pack Shortcuts).  We start with a functional cardio workout, and then really focus on blasting the abs in the second.  It’s the prefect combo since killer abs are pointless if covered with killer flab.

Functional Cardio Workout

Brutal Cardio Ab Routine

Mmm, Broccoli!!!!  No one’s ever said that, but that’s about to change :).  I found this great recipe on Tasty-Yummies.com for a Banana Broccoli Smoothie, and then I tweaked it my liking with some almonds and pitted dates for extra sweetness.  Check it out.

PhotoGrid_14008817065381 Banana

1 Cup Broccoli Florets

1 Handful Raw Almonds

3 Pitted Dates

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon Raw Honey

Food Key

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

– Broccoli: vitamins C & A, potassium, folic acid, magnesium, iron, beta-carotenes and phosphorus (STACKED!!)

– Raw Almonds: magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, copper, niacin and zinc (STACKED!!)

– Dates: fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants

– Cinnamon: fiber, calcium, good for digestion

– Honey: less calories than sugar, source of good carbs for strength and energy, good for digestion

Green Monster Smoothie

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1 Cup Kale

1 Cup Chopped Celery

1 Inch Piece of Ginger

Juice from 1/2 a Lime

1 Green Apple

1/4 Cup Sliced Cucumbers

1 Cup Water

Food Key

– Kale: vitamins, A, B6 &C, potassium, copper, folic acid, calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and zinc (MEGA-STACKED!!)

– Celery: potassium, folic acid and vitamins C & B6

– Ginger: stimulates digestion, combats flatulence (NICE!) and is effective against colds 

– Limes: vitamin C, antioxidants, calcium, folate, citric acid and hesperidin (lowers cholesterol)

– Apples: potassium, vitamin C and pectin (helps control cholesterol and blood sugar)

– Cucumber: vitamins K, C ,B1 & B5, copper, potassium, magnesium & biotin

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