Healthy Smoothie

Before I was pregnant, I would have a daily green smoothie. I still keep up those, but now I most often have another smoothie at some point during the day. Sometimes it's a more decadent peanut butter banana, and other times it is a chia seed and berry smoothie. Most often I go for a chia seed one for it's added nutritional benefits. Chia seeds are a complete protein and contain essential omega 3's. Oh so good for baby.

To make this smoothie, soak 1 Tablespoon of chia seeds in a bit over 1/4 cup of water for 10 minutes. Stir them a couple times during the soaking process just to get all the seeds immersed and to avoid clumping. Like flax seeds, chia seeds get thick and gel like when soaked in a liquid.

After your soak time, combine a handful of strawberries and a handful of frozen mango. Really any fruit will do in this smoothie. Frozen berries are great for a quick and deliciously cold smoothie. Toss in the soaked seeds and water as well.

Add one cup of orange juice and blend until smooth.

So good!

Here is a belly picture to leave you with. This is at 30 weeks. I hit 31 weeks today. Only 9 weeks left. I can't believe it!

Hemp Smoothie

Today's post isn't the most salivating, but it is healthy. I try to have a hemp protein smoothie everyday (especially now that my jar is best by December 2). I am not a big fan of the grainy quality and aftertaste that the protein powder gives to my smoothie (Nutiva is the only brand I have tried so far), but I do appreciate the added protein and the omega 3 and 6 punch it provides. Here is my usual plan of action for these smoothies.

First put half of a banana and 1/4 -1/2 cup frozen fruit of choice (I used a mixed berry blend).

Then add 3 handfuls of spinach. This is my usual handful.

With my personal blender I have to really push down the ingredients for more room. Those of you with larger blenders, feel free to add more of the good stuff above to your liking.

Then add 3 spoonfuls of the hemp protein powder. With the size of smoothie I make, It is hard for me to handle the recommended 4 Tbs of protein powder, but feel free to use the serving size.

Pour a nice helping of hemp seeds on top. I believe the serving size for these is 2 - 3 Tbs (depending on the brand - I've seen both suggested).

Top with remaining banana. I use the banana to give the blender something easy to start blending as my blender is on it's last leg. We have had to buy a new personal blender every year as I use it every day, sometimes multiple times. I need to just save up some money and buy a nice one. Any Suggestions?

Anyway back to the smoothie. I then pour in half water and half almond milk. The more liquid the better with this smoothie. It really helps the protein powder to not be so thick and overpowering. Also the vanilla almond milk gives it a nice taste as well.

Blend until smooth. Enjoy and drink to your health!

Then reward yourself with some Wheat-free Chocolate Chip Cookies from Veganomicon. I lowered the sugar to just 1/2 cup loose brown sugar (as in not packed), and added about 1/2 cup (maybe a bit more) of unsweetened shredded coconut. I think the amount of chocolate chips I used made up for the sugar I didn't add - a little counter-productive. Oh well, I guess I will have another smoothie.