Banana Chocolate Peanut-Butter Smoothie

I'm sure the title said all that you need to know, besides the "healthy part". ;)

Yes, indeed, this recipe IS healthy!! *Rejoice rejoice*

I stole this recipe from yoga aficionado, and youtuber, Tara Stiles. I have also made it two days in a row after intense and strenuous days of exercise, so it is full of protein, healthy fats, potassium, and electrolytes to help rebuild those stressed out muscles. Or just act as a delicious snack.

 

 

Stay healthy!

Isabella

Pineapple and Mint Green Smoothie

I invented this delicious creation this morning while mindlessly throwing the contents of my fridge into a blender.

It is so amazing and refreshing! You must try it!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple
• 1-1/2 cup kale (or any other leafy green)
• 3/4 cup frozen or fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup lettuce (romaine or other)
• 2 tablespoons chopped mint
• water as needed to make smooth (but not too much)!

Happy blending!

Isabella

Yoga Inspiration

Lately, I have had yoga on the brain.

No-- not bikram yoga... Although it is a good form of exercise, it lacks in the diverse and spiritual side of yoga, which are equally as important as the physical aspects of it.

I remember my junior year of high school, I did bikram yoga four times a week the entire year. As I memorized and mastered all of the 26 poses, I gained flexibility and a false sense of pride. When I finally branched out and went to one of the more traditonal classes, I was a complete beginner, and realized how little I could actually do physically with hundreds of different poses that have been accumulated over thousands of years.

After months of skipping yoga and focusing on rock climbing, I am back! I am getting my PE credits outside of school with my yoga membership. I need 68 hours by mid June (i'm sweating just thinking about it)...

Here is a little inspiration for you to branch out into wherever you are in your yoga practice-- even if it is nonexistent. :)

 

Love, Isabella

Power Protein Shake!

Here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbs Chia seeds
• 1/4 cup hemp protein (or any other plant based protein)
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup almond milk (or any other nut or soy milk)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 packet of frozen acai purée (not necessary, but adds flavor)
• 2 tbsp honey

Steps:

• Put 2 tbsp chia seeds in a medium sized bowl and pour the water over them. Let sit for 15 minutes, while stirring thoroughly ever 5 minutes. Chia seeds will form a nutritious gel that will thicken your smoothie!
• Get your blender ready, and add in all ingredients including your chia mixture.
• Blend, and voilà!

Cheers!

Isabella

Sprouting!

Supplies:

- 1 Mason Jar (as shown above with a mesh lid cover)
- seedlings (alfalfa)

Steps:

- Put 2 and a 1/2 Tbs of alfalfa seeds into the jar, and fill the jar 3/4 of the way full with water.
- Let sit for the next 6-8 hours (overnight is the easiest)
- Drain and rinse the seeds (while not removing lid) to make sure that the enzyme-inhibitors are washed off.
- Roll jar so that seeds stick to the side as shown above.
- For the next 3-5 days rinse the seeds twice a day to make sure that the seeds stay hydrated (seedling tails will grow to about 1-2 inches in length).

They should end up looking like this:

And voila! I am a proud sprouter! : ,- )

- When you are ready to store them, put them into a large bowl and fill it with water.

- The brown seed shells should come floating up.

- Drain the shells while keeping the sprouts secure in the bowl.

- Repeat as needed.

Enjoy! :)

Isabella



Healthy Cookies!

These cookies are a MUST for me.

They are amazing pre or post workout, and even as a substitute for regular unhealthy cookies!

All that they include are:

Ingredients:

- 2 cups oats (blended or copped finely)
- 2 bananas
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 Tbs honey

Steps:

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mash together with your hand until it creates a nice paste (wash your nasty hands first).
- Lightly grease a baking pan and spoon in paste (cookies can be whatever size that you like).
- You may form cookies into whatever shape or size that you like!
- Top cookies with something pretty (I like the taste of chopped nuts on top, or chocolate chips)!
- Bake cookies for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness and width.
- Let the cookies cool for a while before storing in a fridge (steam will make them soggy).
- Voila!

Some to-die-for variations on this recipe include replacing one of the bananas with a half cup of pumpkin puree (cheap at any grocery store). Also, adding a teaspoon of nutmeg with the cinnamon is yummy!

Next, I will be experimenting with peanut butter "cookies"! :)

More to come!

Isabella