Bananas

OPEN SESAME Banana Kale Smoothie & Bodyweight Exercise Routine

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Smoothie - Open Sesame

 1 Sliced Banana (Frozen if you’re cool like that)

1 Cup Organic Kale

1 Tablespoon Tahini

1 Cup Celery

1/4 Cup Brazil Nuts

1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

Food Key

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

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

– Tahini: protein, fiber, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, folate and copper

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

– Brazil Nuts: magnesium, potassium and zinc

 

It’s become increasingly apparent to me that I don’t need a gym membership in  order to stay in shape.  This is good news since I got a baby smoothie operator princess coming in a few weeks (YEAH!).  Cardio, Yoga, Pilates, even resistance training – you can do it all at home or better yet outside.  Here’s a great bodyweight exercise routine from HASfit that you can do anywhere.

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Slim PB & J Chocolate Smoothie

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While Mrs. Smoothie Operator was re-upping on vitamins and snacks on Vitacost.com, she came across an item that she thought I would love…PEANUT BUTTER SLIM Powdered Peanut Butter!  I generally subscribe to the idea that anything “lite” or “diet” tastes gross, or is just loaded with artificial sweeteners or other crap that  lowers the calorie intake but is otherwise awful for you.  Still, I had to see for myself.  I checked the ingredients, and there is nothing in it but roasted peanuts, a little salt (90 mg/serving) and a pinch of sugar (1g/serving).  I was super-psyched to try it with some of peanut butter’s best friends (bananas, berries and CHOCOLATE!!!).  Unsurprisingly, results were fantastic.  Check it out!

Smoothie - Slim PB

 2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter Slim Powdered Peanut Butter

1 Tablespoon Sun Dried Goji Berries

1/4 Cup Organic Blueberries

Handful Raw Brazil Nuts

1 Sliced Banana

1 Cup Dark Chocolate Almond Milk

Food Key

– Powdered Peanut Butter: protein, fiber and potassium

– Goji Berries: amino acids, fiber, vitamin C, iron, calcium, zinc and selenium (STACKED!!)

– Brazil Nuts: magnesium, potassium and zinc

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

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

Here’s a side by side nutritional fact comparison of Vitacost Powdered Peanut Butter and Trader Joe’s Unsalted Peanut Butter.  

PB Comparison

 Thanks again Mrs. Smoothie Operator!!

wedd

Heavenly Sesame Chocolate Banana Smoothie

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May not feel right having this smoothie for breakfast since it tastes so much like dessert, but The Smoothie Operator lives by his own rules and so should you, so FIRE IT UP!!!

Smoothie -Sesame

 (Makes 2 Smoothies)

2 Cups Frozen, Sliced Bananas

1 Handful Raw Almonds

2 Tablespoons Cacao Powder

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

2 Tablespoons Organic Tahini

2 Cups Dark Chocolate Almond Milk

Food Key

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

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

– Cacao: protein, copper, potassium, vitamin B12, fiber and iron (STACKED!!)

– Tahini: protein, fiber, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, folate and copper

A Couple of My Favorite People Smoothie

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I’m following my favorite things smoothie from a couple days ago with a smoothie dedicated to a couple of my favorite people – my brother Phil & his lovely new bride Gatisa. They got married over the weekend and yours truly was the best man (or The Groomsmen Operator). Not only was it a fun-filled weekend set in the beautiful backdrop of Santa Cruz, California, but the newlyweds also gave out what is likely to be the best, most-used wedding favor in history (by me anyway) – a large-and-in-charge monogrammed mason jar! I wanted to make sure the first smoothie I drank out of my new favorite glass was a winner, and to be honest…I CRUSHED IT!!  Check it out and see for yourself.

Smoothie - P&G

 

1/2 Cup Chopped Banana (Frozen if you’re cool like that)

1/2 Cup Frozen Pineapple

1 Cup Baby Spinach

1 Handful Raw Cashews

1 Tablespoon Goji Berries

1/4 Cup Organic Steel Cut Oats

1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

 

Food Key

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

– Pineapples: vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and folic acid

– 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!!)

– Cashews: copper, phosphorous, manganese, magnesium, zinc and protein

– Goji Berries: amino acids, fiber, vitamin C, iron, calcium, zinc and selenium (STACKED!!)

– Oats: fiber and protein

 

 

A Few Of My Favorite Things Smoothie

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Today’s smoothie has pretty much all of my favorite ingredients in it.  Just like in life and poker, sometimes you gotta go ALL IN.

Smoothie - Everything

1 Handful Raw Almonds

1 Scoop Soy-Free Vegetable Protein Powder

1/2 Cup Organic Steel Cut Oats

1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

1 Tablespoon Goji Berries

1 Tablespoon Organic Peanut Butter

2 Tablespoons Raw Cacao Nibs

1 Sliced Banana

 (Got all that?)

Food Key

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

– Oats: fiber and protein

– Goji Berries: amino acids, fiber, vitamin C, iron, calcium, zinc and selenium (STACKED!!)

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

– Cacao: protein, copper, potassium, vitamin B12, fiber and iron (STACKED!!)

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

 

Sweet Green Broccoli Banana Smoothie

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Broccoli Smoothie…sounds delicious, I know.  Seriously, though..mix a bunch of broccoli florets with some almond milk, bananas, almonds and most importantly some pitted dates, and you have yourself a surprisingly awesome smoothie.  The dates add just the right amount amount of sweetness to bring the bananas and broccoli together and almonds just hook any smoothie up (and among the healthiest of nuts).  Check it out.

Smoothie BrocBanana

 1 Cup Broccoli Florets

1 Sliced Banana

1 Handful Raw Almonds

4 Pitted Dates

1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

Food Key

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

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

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

– Dates: fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants

Peanut Butter & BRRR-y Breakfast of Champions Smoothie

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Today’s smoothie is not only ridiculously delicious and nutricious, but also makes a great post-workout protein shake.  I put a nice, moderate workout together using three YouTube Videos from the peeps at Fitness Blender.  I took a brutal kickboxing class at Title Boxing Club earlier this week that is still whipping my ass, so a moderate workout is all I could handle this morning.  It’s low impact, but really hits the core nicely and then cools you down with a little yoga/pilates remix.  The whole thing takes about 30 minutes.  Try the workout, enjoy the smoothie.

1. No Impact Cardio Workout

2. Killer at Home Chest Workout

3. Yoga Pilates Stretch Workout

and now the reward…

Smoothie - PB & Brrry

1 Cup Frozen Mixed Berries (Blueberries, Strawberries, Blackberries & Raspberries)

1Sliced Banana

1 Tablespoon Organic Peanut Butter

1 Handful Raw Almonds

1/4 Cup Steel Cut Organic Oats

1 Scoop Soy-Free Vegetable Protein Powder

1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

Food Key

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

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

– Blackberries: vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and copper

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

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

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

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

– Oats: fiber and protein

Spinach & Mixed Fruit Smoothie

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Let’s get colorful with this spinach and mixed fruit smoothie. Enjoy!

Smoothie - Spinach Fruit(Makes 2 Smoothies)

1 Cup Baby Spinach

1 Sliced Banana

1 Sliced Pear

1 Cup Strawberries

2 Cups Water

Food Key:

– 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!!)

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

– Pears: fiber, potassium and copper

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

The Everything Bagel of Smoothies

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I was having a bit of trouble deciding what ingredients to put into today’s smoothie, so I just put everything in it. You got your fruit, your nuts, your oats…you got it all. Tastes delicious, too. Enjoy.

Smoothy - Everything

 1 Cup Mixed Frozen Fruit (Mangoes & Bananas)

1 Cup Fresh Blueberries

1/4 Cup Steel Cut Organic Oats

1 Scoop Soy-Free Vegetable Protein

1 Tablespoon Organic Peanut Butter

1 Handful Raw Cashews

1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

Food Key

– Mangoes: vitamins A, B6, C, & E, antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, potassium and copper

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

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

– Oats: fiber and protein

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

– Cashews: copper, phosphorous, manganese, magnesium, zinc and protein

His & Hers (or His & His or Hers & Hers) Chia Fruit Smoothies

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Everything is better when you enjoy it with someone you love, including smoothies.   Do it.

Smoothie - Tropic Berry Chia

(Makes 2 Smoothies)

2 Bananas

1 Cup Diced Frozen Pineapple

1 Cup Strawberries

1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds (in each smoothie)

2 Cups Coconut Water

Food Key

– Bananas: vitamin B6 and potassium

– Pineapples: vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and folic acid

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

– Chia Seeds: omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, calcium, phosphorous and magnesium

– Coconut Water: improves digestion and metabolism, supports immune system

wedd