Thank goodness I picked up a large bag of spinach at the grocery store yesterday because a MASSIVE green monster sounded perfect after my morning workout.
Spinach Overload
It’s still almost incomprehensible to me that I cannot taste the spinach in my smoothie when there is practically an entire bush in there.
I’m not complaining though because taste-wise, chocolate > spinach.
My green monster included:
- 5 lbs. of spinach… almost.
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 large frozen banana
- Ice cold water
- Bob’s Red Mill xanthan gum
- Fresh strawberries
Green Monster with Sliced Strawberries
Doesn’t that look ridiculously thick?
It definitely was super thick and I owe it to a combination of the frozen banana and the xanthan gum, a gluten-free thickener and natural carbohydrate.
Bob's Red Mill Xanthan Gum
Monday Morning Breakfast
Red + Green = Christmas in a Bowl
My body is happier already!
Workout
This morning I took my typical Monday morning BodyPump class. This was my first time doing the latest release and it was a goodie.
My chest was burning by the end of the chest track! (It’s really too bad that working out your chest doesn’t make your lil’ girlies grow. 😉 )
After the ‘Pump, I did 20 minutes of light cardio on the elliptical with the June 2009 issue of Women’s Health (slim pickings on the magazine rack today), followed by five minutes of incline walking.
Best Packaged Foods For Women
Women’s Health comprised a list of the best packaged foods for women, sorted into categories ranging from veggies, soups and snacks to condiments, sweets, frozen meals and dairy.
Naturally I went right to the sweets category to check out the “best frozen yogurt.” The winner was:
Ben & Jerry’s FroYo Chocolate Fudge Brownie
The delicious chocoholic blend not only is thigh-friendly but also delivers 150 milligrams of calcium. Builds bone; fights heart disease.
Per 1/2 cup: 170 cal, 2.5 g fat (0.5 g sat), 34 g carbs, 95 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein
You can check out other winners here.
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how much of the xantham gum do you put in there?
probably about 2 tsp.
maybe one? i’ll measure next time! 🙂
haha i wish chest workouts grew my girls too 😉
that’s a whole lotta spinach! definitely a detoxing bfast lol. thanks for the article link! i went straight to brownies and cookies..never tried the weight watchers desserts but 120 cal for a brownie is not too shabby
I haven’t tried the xanthum gum, yet. I picked up a bag and then put it back at the grocery store yesterday. I may have to rethink that. How much do you use?
I definitely need to try one of those green monsters! Is the Xanthum gum similar to guar gum??
they’re VERY similar. i’ve read that xanthan gum is easier to digest though.
I bought spinach to try my own green monster this week. I’m a bit nervous, but I love smoothies.
I need to try Xanthum gum…I hear it is a great thickener!
i know isnt it so weird? i put um…about 3 cups of spinach in mine i bet…and still…no taste. however, ‘do i have spinach in my teeth’ takes on a whole other meaning!! i brought mine to work this morning (made it last night) and omg, i need to bring a toothbrush to work from now on if i continue to do that!
All I was craving this morning was a green monster too. Then my blender broke 🙁
Thank God for the magic bullet.
Yummm B&J’s choc fudge brownie is my fav flavor!
Isn’t it amazing how a frozen banana alters the texture of a smoothie? I really should try eating mine out of a bowl one day. It looks so appealing when I see other bloggers do it.
how long do you freeze your banana for?
it depends… sometimes just overnight, sometimes a week! i just peel them when they get really ripe & freeze them until i wanna use ’em! 🙂
Not sure why, but I love reading older magazines sometimes 😛
Enjoy your day!
I just came across your blog and wanted to say hello. I love smoothies with spinach. I make them almost every morning!! Usually spinach, strawberries, a banana and blueberries… 🙂
Gahhhh I totally wish chest workouts made them grow!!
LOVE the gyms 🙂
haha I have to agree with Jess with her post above me!
and by love the gyms I meant to write love the GUMS (as in the xanthan gums) 🙂
I don’t usually purchase ice cream at the grocery store (I’d rather save it for the real thing at Coldstone), but that list is so handy! Thanks for sharing!
I have yet to try one of these green monsters but after seeing this one I’m putting it on my do list, as in do ASAP! Happy Monday Pretty Girl!
Try adding about 5 ice cubes too-it will make the smoothie even more refreshing and perfectly chilled! 🙂
ooooh nice idea.
Was it the ‘I’ve got a feeling’ track? It’s such a party song but a very tough chest workout – my chest always complains and I have to remind myself: breath and carry on talking. It’s the talking part that gets me. 🙂
yep! it’s a hard one, huh? i can’t imagine doing that & teaching at the same time. you’re a champ!
I know how you feel with the whole needed fresh nutrients in your body! Your smoothie looks great. I discovered the green monster last year and am addicted when it gets warm outside as an afternoon snack.
Do you by chance kknow if you can buy protein powder’s in smaller containers??
Also love the comment about body pump and the chest haha i wish that every day!
Love your blog 🙂
i know you can buy different kinds of protein powder in much smaller containers at the grocery store for around $8 (i think designer whey is the brand). the kind i like, all the whey, is only available in 2lb. and 5lb. tubs.