The Perfect Post-Run Smoothie
As my exercise has increased the last few weeks during this pandemic, and as we have some warmer spring weather on our hands, I’ve found myself looking forward to and enjoying a post-workout fruit smoothie.
You need not purchase a fancy kitchen appliance for the assignment this week. A simple blender will do. I dug mine out of the back of the cabinet where it had been buried and have been experimenting in the kitchen!
Here is just one idea to try, and it’s very quick and easy.
Coach Michelle’s Orange Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 small banana peeled (previously frozen)
1 small orange peeled
1 heaping handful of baby spinach
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
½ cup vanilla almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. (Simple enough!)
Tips and tricks:
I like to freeze my bananas in chunks, because my blender can’t handle an entire frozen banana at once. This helps to not have to add ice, keeping the smoothie cold and thicker in consistency.
The spinach can be optional if you don’t like the idea of greens in the smoothie. I was leery to add greens at first, but truth is, I can’t taste it in there. Greens will provide a little more body to the smoothie, and the flavor goes undetected next to the fruit, when just a handful is added.
For a slight difference in taste and texture, try substituting 1 tablespoon of chia seeds for 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal.
Honey can be added for sweetness if desired. Sometimes it depends on the sweetness of the fruit that is used that day. I usually taste a spoonful while it’s still in the blender, and then add the honey if desired.
