If you were anything like I was this summer, you ate and drank your way through every pool party, beach excursion and family trip. I was starting to feel a little “fluffy” and decided it was time to get my eating back on track. We also have a very busy school year with a jam packed schedule. Two kids in sports, school activities and social obligations leave us at the drive thru more often than we’d like. One of our family goals is to avoid fast food as much has possible. It is a huge money suck and obviously not a healthy choice.
In my search for quick easy meal ideas I came across a dozen or so recipes for Fab 4 Smoothies in the book Body Love. These smoothies were designed to be healthy (most are chock full of sugar), keep your blood sugar stable and keep you full. I read through a couple of recipes and saved the best smoothie recipes. I started drinking these smoothies as a meal replacement and I will say that they keep me full for at least 3-4 hours. Over the past few months I have narrowed down top three best smoothie recipes from Fab 4 Smoothies.
The general makeup of each fo the best smoothie recipes goes something like this…
Protein: 20gram (min) + Fiber 10gram (min) + 1 TBSP Fat + Handful of Greens + 1/4 cup + liquid
The ingredients I use most frequently and keep on hand are:
- Chocolate Protein Powder- I order this protein powder because it is low carb and I like the flavor
- Vanilla Protein Powder- I typically order this one or this one depending on what is in stock
- Spinach
- Almond Butter
- Almond Milk- be sure to get unsweetened
- Strawberries, Blueberries, Frozen Cherries
- Chia Seeds
- MCT Oil- I ordered this one off Amazon.
- I also add collagen from Vital Proteins to the mix
*side note: if a recipe calls for a garnish, I omit it because I am not a restaurant and frankly don’t need garnish on my food!
Vital Proteins
Top Three Best Smoothie Recipes:
Chocolate- Dipped Strawberry Smoothie
1 Serving Chocolate Protein Powder
1 to 2 tablespoons fat of choice
1 to 2 tablespoons chia or flaxseeds
1/4 Cup diced frozen or fresh strawberries
2 to 3 cups unsweetened nut milk
If you use fresh strawberries, add a few ice cubes before blending.
Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
1 Serving Vanilla Protein Powder
2 tbsp of Any Nut Butter of choice
1 Serving Raw Fiber Powder or 2 Tbsp Chia
1/4 cup Blueberries
2 cups Nut Milk
Blueberries & Hemp Seeds to top
Cherry Cacao Be Well Smoothie
1 serving vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp. almond butter
1 tbsp. medium chain triglycerides oil
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1/4 cup cherries (fresh or frozen)
Handful of spinach (not pictured here)
1 cup unsweetened nut milk
Cacao nibs
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend to desired consistency. If you use fresh cherries, add a few ice cubes to cool. Top with Cacao nibs to taste.
TANK | LEGGINGS | SNEAKERS | SPORTS BRA
Next week I will start focusing on my workouts more. My goal is to workout 4-5 days a week. I plan on going to Orangetheory 3-4 days a week and then running or doing more weights on the other days.
Love this! Would love know more about your meals plans and schedule of what you eat. I need to get back at it to from summer!
When school starts back and I have a solidified plan I will post about it!
I’ve never noticed you to every look “fluffy”! Hahahaha! However, I know the “feeling” you are talking about. Thanks for the great smoothies. I have book “Body Love”. Is this where the Fab 4 Smoothies come from? Maybe, I should actually finish reading the book. Happy Back to School for you and your family.
Hi Monica, Yes, the smoothies actually come from the book Body Love. I think all the recipes are towards the end.
Do all the protein powders you mentioned have a pretty good taste? I’m using one from Costco, but got to looking at it and it’s pretty high in carbs! I need to switch to a lower carb one.
I have been using the chocolate and vanilla one for about a year now and love them!