FitSugar

Post Run Treat: Chocolate-Espresso Smoothie

FitSugar — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:00:00 -0800

I like a smoothie. There is no denying it. I just found a recipe from Runner's World that would surely get your blood pumping. Created by a pastry chef who logs 15 miles a week, this smoothie is fortified with espresso and would be the perfect post run treat. If you run in the morning this could even replace your morning cup of joe.

To see the delicious and super easy recipe just read more.

Chocolate Espresso Smoothie
adapted from Runner's World

What you need:
6 ounces chocolate yogurt (opt for low fat if you can find it)
2 ripe, frozen large bananas*
2 shots espresso, chilled
2 cups ice (about 14 ice cubes)
1 dozen chocolate-covered espresso beans

What you do:
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Serves two.

*Any ripe banana will do. I like to cut up and freeze my over ripe bananas for smoothies. Frozen foods are not as sweet so the riper that banana the sweeter the smoothie.

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Try it and let me know if it makes you zippy!

You Asked: Banana Smoothie

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Smoothies are such a great treat. Especially in the heat of summer. A Sugar user recently asked for a good smoothie recipe that doesn't contain berries since she is allergic.

I just found this recipe from Healthy Chef Alex. She is Mogan Spurlock's girlfriend - you might know him as the Super Size me guy and she is the "vegan girlfriend."

This recipe is tasty - everyone in my family loved it. It is definitely a healthy redo of the Peanut Butter Moo'd from Jamba Juice. Before you mock my bruised bananas, let me just say the more ripe the bananas the sweeter the smoothie. Once it is frozen fruit just doesn't taste as sweet, so put those overripe bananas to use.

Want to see the recipe? Then read more

Banana Smoothie
Adapted from Healthy Chef Alex Blog

2 frozen ripe bananas* (Peel them. Chop them. Freeze them. This way they are ready to go whenever you need them.)
2 cups non-fat milk**
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 tablespoon agave syrup
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until blended, about 2 minutes!

Notes:
*I microwave the frozen banana piece for about 20 seconds so they are easier to pureé.

**The original recipe was vegan and used chocolate soy milk (which I just never happen to have around the house), so I substituted non-fat milk and used unsweetened cocoa powder.

(Serves 2 normal people, or 1 very happy, hungry person)

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Snack Attack: Banana Ice Smoothie

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:00:00 -0800

Here's a great snack that requires a little bit of planning ahead, but after you've done the prep, it's a cinch to make.

To make this Banana Ice Smoothie:

Peel several very ripe bananas
Break them into 1-inch pieces
Freeze the pieces in a sealed plastic bag
Just before serving, put a few pieces in the blender with a small amount of water, juice or milk
Serve immediately

You can add berries for a different flavor or top with fruit or nuts. YUM.

Why we love it:
Bananas are high in potassium. And this is a fun way to use up ripe bananas, without making yet another loaf of banana bread. Plus, how often do you get to use that blender you got from your wedding?

Healthy Eating Tip: Freeze Bananas

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:00:21 -0700

Warmer weather makes bunches of bananas turn brown quicker, so before you have to throw them away, freeze them to use for smoothies or banana bread. Just unpeel your nanner, wrap it in plastic wrap, and pop it in the freezer. You can add the frozen banana right to the blender for a fruit smoothie, and for banana bread or muffins, allow them to thaw first. It's a helpful time- and money-saver.

Snack Attack: Almond Berry Banana Yogurt Smoothie

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:00:44 -0700

Strawberries and blueberries are in season now, so stock up and use them to make this delicious yogurt smoothie. The fruit adds natural sweetness, and the Greek yogurt makes it rich and creamy. I like to add almonds to my smoothies because not only do they add fiber and protein, but they give the smoothie an interesting slightly crunchy texture.

A 16-ounce glass contains about 300 calories so it makes a tasty treat to enjoy for breakfast or a pre- or post-workout snack. To learn how to make this simple recipe and see the rest of the nutritional information, keep reading

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:00:34 -0700

Another use for ripe bananas. It's smoothie time - Vitamin G
More overtly Photoshopped Ralph Lauren models turn up down under - FitCeleb
Ladies playing rugby on a pier in NYC: scrum anyone? - Social Workout
The real housewives of the big apple do cardio for cupcakes - Fresh Fitness Tips
Calling all carnivores: learn the health benefits of marinades - Mark's Daily Apple
Yet another reason fashionland is messed up - That's Fit
Hypnosis plus yoga equals Hyp-Yoga - Vital Juice

Healthy Eating Tip: Add Greens to Smoothies

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:30:00 -0700

When I recently posted my Almond Berry Banana Yogurt Smoothie recipe, FitSugar reader andrennabird had a brilliant idea - add greens to your smoothies. It's a great way to get more nutritious leafy greens into your diet, without even tasting them. The sweet fruit and creamy yogurt hide the earthy flavor, and since you blend the greens up, there's no chewing involved.

I like adding spinach, but you can also try kale, arugula, or sprouts. Just add a few cups of greens to your favorite smoothie recipe, and sip away. Experiment with combinations to see which taste the best, and if you've come up with any delicious concoctions, please share them below.

Fitness Myth Busted: Empty Stomach, Exercise, and Fat Burned

FitSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

It may seem somewhat logical that your body would burn more fat as fuel when you exercise on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. In fact, it just isn't true. The body needs fuel to work out, and that fuel is glucose, which comes from carbs.

After a full night's rest, your muscles' supply of glycogen, which is stored glucose, is greatly depleted. Not only do your muscles run on glucose, but so does your brain. Working out on an empty stomach can impair both muscle function and some brain function as well, and exercising with a fuzzy head in the early morning can lead to injuries.

The simplest way to fuel your body and feed your muscles before hitting the road, elliptical, or weights is a light carb snack. Try an easily digestible banana, or just half of the fruit and save the other half for your post-workout smoothie. Another good pre-workout snack would be some yogurt or a small amount of cereal with milk. I have found a simple rice cake works wonders before a 6 a.m. spin class.

Source

Dunkin' Donuts Cold Beverage Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

So you stopped off at Dunkin' Donuts for a coffee, but it's so hot out that you're in the mood for something cooler. Check out the chart below to see how their cold specialty drinks compare. You may be surprised at how many calories, sodium, and sugar they contain.

Drink	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Cholesterol (g)	Sodium (mg)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
16 oz. Iced Coffee with cream and sugar	120	6	20	75	12	2
16 oz. Iced Coffee with skim milk and sugar	70	0	0	75	12	2
16 oz. Berry Berry Iced Coffee	120	6	20	75	12	2
16 oz. Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee	160	5	20	95	22	3
16 oz. Turbo Ice	120	7	20	25	13	1
16 oz. Vanilla Iced Latte Lite	80	0	0	110	0	7
16 oz. Tropicana Orange Coolatta	370	0	0	50	87	1
16 oz. Strawberry Fruit Coolatta	290	0	0	30	65	0

To see the rest read more

Drink	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Cholesterol (g)	Sodium (mg)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
16 oz. Lemonade Coolatta	240	0	0	35	56	0
16 oz. Vanilla Bean Coolatta	500	17	0	95	82	1
16 oz. Cherry Lime SoBe Coolatta	250	0	0	65	60	0
16 oz. Coffee Coolatta with 2% milk	190	2	10	80	40	4
16 oz. Coffee Coolatta with cream	350	22	75	65	35	3
16 oz. Coffee Coolatta with 3.5% milk	210	4	15	80	40	4
16 oz. Coffee Coolatta with skim milk	170	0	0	80	40	4
16 oz. Iced Latte with sugar	170	7	25	110	21	6
16 oz. Iced Caramel Swirl Latte	240	7	25	150	36	8
16 oz. Iced Mocha Swirl Latte	240	8	25	125	36	7
16 oz. Caramel Creme Iced Latte	260	9	20	125	40	8
16 oz. Mocha Almond Iced Latte	290	10	20	115	45	8
16 oz. Strawberry Banana Smoothie	350	2	10	125	66	7
24 oz. Strawberry Banana Smoothie	550	4	10	180	103	10

Healthy Eating Tip: Freeze Overly Ripe Fruit For Smoothies

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Summer, even as it's waning, puts me in the mood for fruit. I tend to overbuy or misjudge the appetites of my darling (read sometimes soooooo picky) daughters, so much of my tasty fruit tends to get overly ripe before I have a chance to eat it. If you can relate, save your about-to-spoil fruit by prewashing, peeling (if necessary), and dicing all your bananas, berries, peaches, kiwi, and melons. Place them in a plastic freezer bag so they're ready next time you want to make a smoothie for breakfast or a snack. Not only will this tip save you money and time, but it'll also encourage you to eat healthier. Plus, when fruit is frozen it tends to taste less sweet, but since overly ripe is extra sweet your smoothie will be as well.

Source