This morning I headed to the gym for a cardio session split between the treadmill and the elliptical. My 30 minutes on the treadmill was spent completing a hilly interval workout.
Hilly Treadmill Workout
It wasn’t a killer workout like this totally hardcore workout, but it got me sweatin’ and that’s all I was looking for!
I rounded out my workout with 20 minutes on the elliptical.
Breakfast
After my workout and a quick one-mile walk with Sadie, I was ready for breakfast.
Ryan and I have plans to go out of town Thursday night so I wanted to use up some of the produce in our fridge this morning. What better way to use some wilted spinach than in a green monster smoothie!?
Pouring the Good Stuff
In the mix:
- 1 c. milk
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 extra large handful spinach
- 8 frozen strawberries
- 2 ice cubes
- 1/2 packet NesCafe Taster’s Choice instant coffee
- 2 pinches xanthan gum (for thickening)
Green, Ugly and Delicious
As always, my green monster looked like butthole, but tasted fantastic.
Ta-Da!
This smoothie reminded me a lot of my favorite mocha green monster smoothie, with the addition of strawberries instead of a frozen banana. It’s worth a try!
Of Possible Interest
My mind is all over the place today, so please enjoy a random assortment of links!
- 8 Healthy and Filling Bean Recipes (FitSugar.com)
- Four Years Gone (ImAnOkie.com) <– A must read for anyone who is in or has been in a relationship where nothing was really wrong, but nothing was really right either.
- PBF Fashion page updated with my Valentine’s Day look (PBFingers.com)
- Weight Training: Free Weights vs. Machine Weights (MayoClinic.com)
I love Green Monsters.
Have a great day Julie!
Katy (The Singing Runner)
LMAO “looked like butthole” – seriously guffawed out loud. That is an insane workout lady. I didn’t know treadmills could go up to 8.
micki
Sometimes the ugliest foods taste the best!
Stefanie @TheNewHealthy
Adding instant coffee to a green monster is genius!!!
kristy @ kristyruns
nice workout! saving that one!! ahaha GM’s always look like butthole– there’s truly no way around it! i love how your links-thanks!
Carrie
AW—thanks for the link love
Love you 
Lisa @ I’m an Okie
I wanted to do a hilly workout so badly today! Legs were too sore
maybe I’ll copy this later in the week! 
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries
Thank you so much for sharing the link to Lisa’s post- I just read it and it’s amazing. I love that you incorporated a link from a general interest post!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine
i LOVE that post. she did such a great job capturing the emotion that so many people feel… sometimes there’s nothing seriously WRONG with a relationship… but it’s just not RIGHT. loved it.
peanutbutterfingers
Thanks to both of you! I’m glad you got something out of it…especially since it was a pretty hard post to write!
Lisa @ I’m an Okie
I laughed out loud (and kinda grimaced) at “looked like a butthole” but I know exactly what you mean!
vanessa
My GM was an equally gross looking colour this morning!
And I second Gabriela’s comment – I loved Lisa’s post! Have a fabulous Tuesday Julie!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
Thanks Angela!
Lisa @ I’m an Okie
Always love your links…and that you think green monsters look disgusting too. They really do! At least they don’t taste that way!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun
Why do things that are so good for you always look like “buttholes”, as you so eloquently described your smoothie?
Eliz@The Sweet Life
My favorite green monster recipe has both banana and strawberries and cocoa powder. Delish!
Amber K
I hope Ryan rocks the flip flops with his tux for the wedding
A banana cookie sammie?? YUM.
You will like Water for Elephants, I loved it. They are making a movie starring Robert Pattinson (I don’t see him as that character at ALL)
Stephanie @ The Cookie Battle
I love green smoothies eventhough they sure don’t look appetizing. Same thing goes for guacamole with me. I never would eat that green mushy icky looking stuff. But once, I did, now I love it!
Amy at TheSceneFromMe
oooh i bet avocado would make a smoothie extra creamy!
peanutbutterfingers
Avacado shakes are AMAZING. My boyfriend introduced me to it…I was grossed out at first but they are sooo yummy. I use one avacado, about a cup of skim milk, a little splenda, a scoop of vanilla protein powder and ice. i’m sure you could get more creative but even just like that it’s fab!!
Lauren
Green monsters hardly ever look as good as it tastes…looks are definitely deceiving!
Maryann (The Balanced Bean)
Do you just throw all the ingredients in your blender? Bc I love smoothies and I usually get them at the juice bar by my job bc I dont have a juicer. I thought maybe for things like spinach I might need one? Maybe not?
MarzBar
yep! i use my blender a lot!
peanutbutterfingers
I really need to start making smoothies for breakfast – yours always look so refreshing. I LOATHE cleaning my blender though – I’m so lazy. Ha!
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
nice workout! i have to do hills on the treadmill today
but this inspired me!
Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards)
I love that you put coffee in there! Great idea.
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews
Green smoothies are the best! And almost always look horrible.
I usually add romaine, kale, and a scoop of Amazing Grass for extra nutrients, and you can’t even taste them! Just makes it look extra ugly! lol 
Jess (In My Healthy Opinion)
I live great GMs! Yours sounds amazing…perfect for lunch!
Heather (Heather’s dish)
Sounds like a great workout. I love GMs! Lisa’s post was fabulous, definitely a must-read!
Kacy
I love good hilly workouts- looks like a good one
Annette
My green monsters always look like a pool of funk, but they taste amazing
jen
WOW that is a rediculous shake!!
Check out the Trainermat to stay loose after those intense workouts, I love mine!
Ashley
I always turn to green monsters when my spinach is on its last leg. After you mix it with a few things – you can’t even tell!
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
Love the blog – you inspired me to start my own! I’m sorry if you answered this before, but what time do you start work in the morning? To have time for such great workouts AND walks with Sadie and time to make breakfast, you must hit the gym super duper early!
Claire