Healthy Smoothies

I posted this picture on my Facebook one day, and my friend asked me if I got inspired from the Food Network Star challenge where one contestant made this smoothie for a bunch of kids. No, I did not. I've seen these smoothies around for some time now, but I've never tried it myself, so I figured since I'm on a new workout routine, I would try it. If my mom fed me this smoothie when I was a kid, I would probably be traumatized and never touch another smoothie again. Fortunately, I'm older and hopefully wiser, so I know that this is good for me.

I recently started the Insanity workout, and I'm trying to eat healthier because I don't want to be working my butt off for nothing. The Insanity workout is truly insane, and I feel like fainting in the middle of the workouts, but the good thing about insane workouts is that it really makes you try to eat healthier. The harder you work out, the more you don't want it to go to waste. For me, this has definitely kicked into gear with my new routine. Of course, since I live with my boyfriend, we still go out to eat all the time, but at least when I'm looking for food myself, I can just make this smoothie, which keeps me satisfied for a couple of hours. 

This recipe is definitely not structured, and every time I make this smoothie, I change it up a bit. Either more fruit or less greens. Usually it's because I know more fruit and less greens will taste better. If you have a blender and are looking to eat better, definitely give this a try!

Ingredients: 
Organic Golden Flax Powder (Costco)
Fage Total 0% fat Greek Yogurt (Costco)
Frozen fruit: strawberries, kiwis, mangos, pineapple
Fresh fruit: apple, banana
Veggies: half a cucumber, a few pieces of kale, carrot
Water or Soy Milk (half a cup)

 

I make this during the morning, and it yields two large cups for me. This is definitely not a substitute for any meal, and I wouldn't recommend it that way, either. I find this helpful because it makes me eat a lighter lunch and dinner. I drink one cup in the morning and I find that I'm not starving at lunch time. I drink the second cup after Insanity, and that helps me eat a lot lighter for dinner. The flax seed is also very helpful for digestion, and you will definitely notice within an hour!! I think the flax seed and Greek yogurt are very important. Protein makes your stomach happy. Other than that, I think this is a great way to curb your appetite, stay healthy and increase vitamin intake!