FitSugar

Post Run Treat: Chocolate-Espresso Smoothie

FitSugar — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:00:00 PST

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

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 PDT

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

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 PST

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?

In Season: Cherimoyas

Sara Yoo — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:07:06 PDT

Don't be fooled by the cherimoya: though this fruit resembles a tiny dragon curled up for a nap, it's quite the opposite from a sour-tempered, fire-breathing reptile. With a texture that resembles custard or ice cream, the cherimoya surprises with a sweet flavor that tasters liken to a blend of bananas, pineapple, papaya, and strawberry. And fortunately for us, it's in season for another few weeks. To learn more about how to prepare this produce curiosity, just read on.

Dairy-Free Ways to Get Your Chocolate Fix

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:29:20 PDT

If dairy products don't sit well with your belly or you choose to eat a vegan diet, then you can still satisfy your chocolate cravings. Although milk chocolate is made with dairy, many dark chocolate products are not. Just be sure to read the label before indulging in any chocolatey treat. I've done the legwork for you and gathered a list of my favorite dessert products and recipes that don't contain a drop of milk, butter, or cream.

Use vegan chocolate chips and whip up a batch of vegan chocolate mouse made with this simple three-ingredient recipe.
Endangered Species makes a few varieties of dairy-free dark chocolate including Dark Chocolate With Cranberries and Almonds, Dark Chocolate With Mint, Dark Chocolate With Blueberries, and Dark Chocolate With Espresso Beans.
Get baking and prepare these decadent vegan brownies made with a secret ingredient: spinach. Top with fresh fruit puree or enjoy it on its own.
If you prefer a crunchy cookie, then bake up a healthier, vegan version of Thin Mints.

See more dairy-free chocolate ideas after the break!

Ice, Ice Baby: Creative and Healthy Ways to Use Your Ice Tray in the Kitchen

Michele Foley — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:06:43 PDT

Eating healthy is no easy feat - it usually requires a little more time in both planning and preparation. But did you know that a simple ice tray can make healthy living a breeze? From smarter snacking to a good-for-you breakfast, keep reading for creative and healthy ways to use your everyday ice tray.

Smoothies
A smoothie makes a healthy on-the-go breakfast, but sometimes life is so hectic, there isn't even time to turn the blender on. Save yourself a daily mess by freezing a batch of your favorite smoothie to use at a later date. When you're ready to enjoy, let cubes defrost in a cup overnight and grab it on your way out the next day. We're loving this recipe for make-ahead coconut green smoothie cups. You can also save time by freezing yogurt in ice trays and portioning those cubes into baggies with frozen fruit - just dump the contents into the blender whenever you're in the mood for a smoothie.

Homemade Healthy Treats
Skip sugary store-bought popsicles and ice-cream treats and make your own at home. When using fresh fruit, like in this recipe for homemade berry-banana popsicles, you don't even need to add sugar. Add a little protein (and good bacteria mix) by using Greek yogurt, like in our recipe for Summer berry and yogurt ice-tray pops.

See more creative and healthy ways to use ice trays after the break!

Snack Attack: Nutty Chocolate Strawberry Banana Smoothie

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:50:01 PST

If you're looking for a sweet treat, but don't want to sabotage your healthy goals with a high-calorie chocolate goodie, here's a recipe that's sure to satisfy your cocoa cravings. Made with chocolate soy milk, peanut butter, and Greek yogurt, this smoothie is full of protein, and the banana and strawberries add fiber and a hint of sweetness.

Ready to indulge? Then keep reading

3 Ways Cottage Cheese Can Help You Lose Weight

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:53:15 PDT

In order to lose weight, eating low-calorie protein is a must. Protein offers sustained energy, satiates your hunger, and curbs sugar cravings. After you eat a protein-packed food, you feel so satisfied you don't have the urge to reach for extra bites, and this translates to weight loss. Choosing low-calorie, low-fat protein sources is a must and while Greek yogurt has gained a lot of recognition, don't leave out the unsung hero of the protein world - cottage cheese. Here are some ways this simple food can help you drop pounds.

Breakfast: High-Protein Addition
You know how after you eat a bagel for breakfast it's tough to shake that sluggish feeling all morning? Protein has the opposite effect. It offers you energy for hours, so you feel bright-eyed and ready to tackle the day. Eggs and yogurt are popular choices, but for something a little different, whip up a smoothie and you guessed it - add cottage cheese to the blender. For 81 calories, four ounces will add a whopping 14 grams of protein to your glass. The blender will puree the cottage cheese into a smooth consistency, so your taste buds won't even know it's in there. Not into smoothies? Enjoy a bowl of cottage cheese topped with fruit for fiber and sweetness, and nuts for even more added protein.

Keep reading to find out two more ways cottage cheese can help with weight loss.

Adventures in Ingredients: Aloe Vera

Camilla Salem — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:42:59 PDT

For weeks, I'd been eying these spiky succulent leaves at Berkeley Bowl. I always knew that aloe vera came from this common plant, but never thought I would actually need or want the opportunity to work with it myself. And then there's the whole issue of cooking with it and how to harvest it. It's popular in coconut water these days, but other than that, ingesting it is somewhat uncommon. But those who regularly eat or drink this strange succulent rave about its supposed health benefits, from healing acne to curing cancer.

I did a quick scan of the Internet on how to cut and prepare fresh aloe vera right from the leaf. I found several recipes for smoothies featuring fresh aloe vera pieces and one that served it poached with lime juice. A smoothie sounded more appetizing. Honestly, I got a little bit nervous when I found out that the dark red sap that apparently seeps out should not be ingested or it will cause unpleasant digestive issues. Still, I went for it.

Filleting this piece of aloe vera was a strange experience: I was on the lookout for that dark red sap, though I didn't ever encounter it. The aloe vera gel looked sticky and mucous, not delicious (or even edible). I'd read in a few places that aloe vera on its own is kind of bitter, so of course, I immediately cut off a piece and took a bite. It tasted like nothing, but I did notice a strange sensation in my mouth and my tongue went a little numb. To find out what I did with the fresh fillet of aloe vera, keep reading.

Delicious Low-Sugar Breakfast Ideas

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:23:28 PDT

A protein- and fiber-packed breakfast jump-starts your metabolism, providing energy to last the day. But some choices for your morning meal can be loaded with added sugar, causing you to crash. Skip the sweetened cereals and sugary baked goods and opt for these deliciously filling breakfast ideas, all containing under 20 grams of sugar and many naturally sweetened.

Nonfat vanilla Chobani yogurt (13 grams) and one cup of Kashi GoLean cereal (6 grams): 19 grams of sugar
Half a cup of organic oats (1 gram), one small apple, chopped (15.5 grams), with eight almonds, chopped (0.5 grams): 17 grams of sugar
Omelet made with two large eggs (0.4 grams), one ounce shredded monterey jack cheese (0 grams), one cup raw spinach (0.1 grams), and six cherry tomatoes, sliced (0.9 grams): 1.4 grams of sugar
One slice of whole wheat toast (3 grams), smeared with one tablespoon all-natural peanut butter (0.5 grams), and topped with one small banana, sliced (12.4 grams): 15.9 grams of sugar
Smoothie made with one extra-small banana (9.9 grams), four medium frozen strawberries (2.2 grams), half cup of frozen blueberries (7.4 grams), and half cup of chopped raw kale (0 grams): 19.5 grams of sugar

Source: Flickr User woodleywonderworks