Almond Joy Protein Smoothie

Happy Halloween Week!! 

I love Halloween! It is such a fun excuse to have a themed party and eat candy! My favorite candy growing up was always Almond Joys. I would trade anything in my bag for a few Almond Joys. 

The sad and unfortunate truth about Almond Joy is that one Fun Size Almond Joy has 80 calories and 4.5g of fat. Well, I have absolutely no self control when it comes to Almond Joy and I don't know about you but I would definitely eat more than just one. 

This morning I decided to treat myself to an Almond Joy Protein Smoothie. Chocolate candy for breakfast! Except that this chocolate candy has 17g of protein and kept me going without a sugar crash.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsweetened Almond Milk

1/2 Medium Banana

1/2 Scoop Whey Protein Chocolate 

1 Tbsp Coconut

1/2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seeds 

1 Tbsp Chocolate PB2 

1/2 tsp Almond Extract

1 Heaping Handful of Ice

Optional Add-ins: Coconut oil, Chia seeds, and/or Spinach.

Like with all smoothie recipes just dump everything into the blender. Then blend until really smooth.

Top it off with a couple almonds and an extra tsp of shredded coconut. It tastes EXACTLY like an Almond Joy and it was the perfect treat for a healthy Halloween treat.

What's your favorite Halloween candy? Do you think it would make a good smoothie?

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size (recipe makes one serving)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 221 Calories from Fat 59

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6.6g 10%

Saturated Fat 3.2g 16%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 35mg 12%

Sodium 226mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 23.8g 8%

Dietary Fiber 4.0g 16%

Sugars 13.5g

Protein 17.4g

Vitamin A 6% • Vitamin C 9% Calcium 31% • Iron 6%

Nutrition Grade C

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Banana Bread Green Monster Smoothie

Happy Monday Ya'll! It was a really fun weekend and it flew by fast. I spent as much time as possible outside enjoying this beautiful weather.

I have been drinking this smoothie for breakfast for almost two weeks straight and I finally thought I would post it. It's super simple and healthy, and keeps me feeling full for hours.

I've always loved banana bread and this smoothie taste just like the real thing. 

Ingredients:

1 Banana - Frozen

1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder

1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Cup Vanilla Almondmilk

3-4 Heaping Handfuls of Spinach

A Few Dashes of Pumpkin Pie Spice

Optional: Walnuts, Ground Flax, Greek Yogurt (to make it thicker), uncooked oats

Throw all of the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.

Pour into a pretty glass and enjoy. 

Side note: I've made this with the ground flax and it gives it a bit of a bitter taste. I typically omit the flax unless I'm feeling particularly healthy that day. 

That's the beauty of smoothies, you can just throw in what you have on hand and omit others to make it exactly the way you want it and it almost always comes out tasting wonderful.

I've been pretty hooked on this tasty little concoction and it keeps me full until my late morning snack. 

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 (without the optional ingredients)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280 Calories from Fat 10

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1.1g 2%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 2mg 1%

Sodium 150mg 6%

Total Carbohydrates 32.5g 11%

Dietary Fiber 6.3g 25%

Sugars 15.4g

Protein 31.8g

Vitamin A 227% • Vitamin C 76% Calcium 26% • Iron 22%

Nutrition Grade B+

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

What other things could you throw in here to make it taste even better?

Green Goddess Smoothie

When I decided to make just green food this week for St. Patrick's Day I did not plan on making a whole bunch of green smoothies but this one is really good and I just had to post it. Not only is it good for you but  it's super delicious. It has easily become my new favorite breakfast.  

This smoothie has a whole bunch of really delicious, fresh ingredients that are really great for you. 

Spinach, is great for your skin but it also promotes healthy brain function. 

Broccoli, boosts your immune system and fights cold virus'. 

Kiwi, is high is fiber and antioxidants, has been found to protect against cancer. 

Pineapple, improves digestion and strengthens bones. 

Orange, is rich in vitamins and minerals, lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure as well and boosts immune system.

Ingredients:

1 Kiwi (peeled)

1/4 Cup Fresh Broccoli Florets 

1 Cup Frozen Pineapple

1 Navel Orange

~4 Cups Raw Baby Spinach

1/4 Cup Water

Blend all ingredients until liquefied. 

Pour into a festive glass and enjoy.

I love this smoothie because it tastes more like a tropical cocktail than a ultra healthy smoothie. If you don't think it's sweet enough you could add a small sweet apple, like a honey crisp, or more pineapple. 

    Makes One Large Glass.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 557 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 244 Calories from Fat 12

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1.4g 2%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 105mg 4%

Total Carbohydrates 58.6g 20%

Dietary Fiber 12.1g 48%

Sugars 40.2g

Protein 7.5g

Vitamin A 238% • Vitamin C 494% Calcium 24% • Iron 24%

Nutrition Grade A

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

                 What is the best smoothie you've ever had?

Green Elvis Protein Shake

In honor of St. Patrick's Day this coming weekend, Pretty Little Pantry is going GREEN! Well, I mean all green food that is. Wish me luck in my quest to come up with ideas for green food all week.

To start the week off I've decided to share my favorite after-gym treat. I like to call this delicious protein shake the "Green Elvis". As we all know, Elvis loved peanut butter and banana sandwiches and for good reason. Peanut butter and banana is possibly the greatest combination to ever be invented. So in honor of The King and his delicious sandwich I've named my favorite smoothie after him.

Now this smoothie is obviously much better for you than Elvis' favorite treat but I believe it tastes even better. Seriously. 

Ingredients:

1  Banana (it's even better if it's frozen)

1 Scoop Chocolate Whey Protein Powder

1/2 Cup 0% Greek Yogurt 

1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (Or whichever you prefer)

2 Tbsp PB2

~4 Cups Spinach (I just fill the blender almost to the top with spinach)

Take all of the ingredients and just dump them in the blender and press the smoothie button. 

That's it. Enjoy. 

It's really really good. It makes about 2 large cups and it keeps you full for hours. 

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 641 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories  388 Calories from Fat  66

% Daily Value*

Total Fat  7.4g 11%

Saturated Fat  0.7g 4%

Trans Fat  0.0g

Cholesterol  20mg 7%

Sodium  666mg 28%

Total Carbohydrates  49.2g 16%

Dietary Fiber  9.7g 39%

Sugars  25.4g

Protein  40.1g

Vitamin A 237% • Vitamin C 73% Calcium 198% • Iron 67%

Nutrition Grade A

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

               What do you enjoy after a good workout?