I’m a big fan of the smoothie as a quick and easy meal or snack, and have a ton of variations depending on what the bod needs at a particular time. I hope you’ll find the “Pre-Workout Smoothie” recipe below useful not only before a workout, but also after a workout, for breakfast, sweet fix, or anytime you’re starved and short on time. It provides a good balance of natural protein and carbs, antioxidants and optional caffeine for those needing to perk up. Plus, I’ve been adding a dash of cinnamon, since this spice is not only being hailed with anti-cancer causing properties, but also linked with lowering blood sugar levels, soothing the stomach and improving memory function. The exact recipe below yields a slightly smaller smoothie for the (obvious) intention that you not vomit during your workout, but feel free to add more ice and green tea for more volume. If you prefer to use ripe berries, be my guest, but your smoothie will be more watery or larger if you add more ice to get the satiating thickness of the original.
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium banana (ripe or past-ripe w/ brown spots; they’re sweeter and easier to blend)
1cup frozen blueberries or blackberries
1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk or skim milk
Dash of cinnamon
3/4 cup Chilled concentrated green tea* [Cover 2-4 green teabags in heat-safe mug or bowl and cover with 3/4cup boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Press and remove teabags. Cover and chill in fridge]
5 large ice cubes or 1/2 cup crushed ice, if you’re working with a sub-par blender.
DIRECTIONS:
Put the ingredients in your blender, ideally, in this order as the banana hitting the blade first seems to lube it for crushing the ice and berries and blend. Add a bit more liquid if the blades get stuck.
*If you are sensitive to caffeine or it’s just too late in the day, use decaffeinated green teabags. You will still get the antioxidant benefits of green tea.
