Shocking, for me. But on days when I run in the morning, I can't eat eggs right before. And I can't run on a completely empty stomach.
So, 3/4 cup kefir + 1 cup frozen mango + 1 scoop whey protein powder + a tiny bit of water to thin it out. I even have a fancy cold drink cup with a straw that I can take on the bus with me.
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"Run" may be overselling myself. My running pace is not much faster than my walking pace (but I am an insanely fast walker, so there's that) but I can go for over four miles without stopping and I am so impressed with myself. Seriously. I spend most of the run just smugly thinking about how awesome I am. It's addictive.
I'm using kefir on the assumption that it is somehow superior to regular milk. No idea whether I'm just buying into another health food fad or not. I get the 1% plain kefir from TJs.
The frozen mango is also from TJs, so good.
I buy the generic Whole Foods protein powder - 365 Whey Protein Powder in vanilla. I'm kind of torn on using protein powder (I'm not sure how well the FDA regulates it, and food additives make me nervous), but it keeps me full longer.
So, 3/4 cup kefir + 1 cup frozen mango + 1 scoop whey protein powder + a tiny bit of water to thin it out. I even have a fancy cold drink cup with a straw that I can take on the bus with me.
{mango smoothie}
More details ...
"Run" may be overselling myself. My running pace is not much faster than my walking pace (but I am an insanely fast walker, so there's that) but I can go for over four miles without stopping and I am so impressed with myself. Seriously. I spend most of the run just smugly thinking about how awesome I am. It's addictive.
I'm using kefir on the assumption that it is somehow superior to regular milk. No idea whether I'm just buying into another health food fad or not. I get the 1% plain kefir from TJs.
The frozen mango is also from TJs, so good.
I buy the generic Whole Foods protein powder - 365 Whey Protein Powder in vanilla. I'm kind of torn on using protein powder (I'm not sure how well the FDA regulates it, and food additives make me nervous), but it keeps me full longer.
oo yum. i have never tried kefir, will have to do that. tj's frozen mango is a mainstay.
ReplyDeletenote- i used to have that insulated cup, but (even though it says dishwasher safe) it melted in the dishwasher and the lid no longer fits. so be careful!! i switched to a big tervis tumbler instead.
I've become a big fan of smoothies in the morning- I do 2 cups of fresh spinach (which you don't even taste), 1/2 cup of greek yogurt (which has tons of protein), and whatever frozen fruit I'm feeling like- it's a great way to get in extra servings of fruits and veggies.
ReplyDeleteha! i feel the same way about running. i fold weird little walk-breaks into my pace (1 walking + 9 running, 1 + 9, 1:30 + 8:30, 1:30 + 8:30, 2:30 + 7:30, 2:30 + 7:30) which only adds up to 50 minutes of actual speed, but i feel terribly accomplished.
ReplyDeleteMmm, love smoothies! Wish I had a TJs near me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I totally heart your description of running because that's what I do! Although 4 miles without stopping is very impressive.
We're going to get started on the regular bike rides soon, happy joy joy!
Love the to-go cup. I have one too and take a smoothie to work every morning without fail. Keeps me going and awake until lunch time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, "I spend most of the run just smugly thinking about how awesome I am." made me giggle. Love the honesty. :-)
oooh, thanks for the idea. i'm gaining the same (smug) addiction to running but am still trying to work out the right breakfast.
ReplyDeleteIf you want more protein, you can always add soy milk instead of the water to thin it out...I do 5 ounces yogurt, 5 ounces soy milk, 5 ounces fruit, plus a big handful of spinach or kale, and that does the trick. :)
ReplyDeletei wish we had tj's here and fresh market just prices me out of the league - but i do love a smoothie.
ReplyDeleteMy bootcamp instructor swears by protein powder for building lean muscle. He suggests a protein shake as a pre-workout meal or post-workout meal. Like Katie said, I also love Greek yogurt, which has a good amount of protein. Hope this helps! xo.
ReplyDeleteI totally believe that Kefir is superior (and easier for digestion0 than milk. Sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteYay for fermented foods! Kefir is definitely better...until you discover coconut milk yogurt. Seriously, swap it out once and you'll wonder how you ever got along without it, hehe. Also, for the protein shot, you are right to be leery of additives in protein "mixes." Have you ever tried hemp protein powder? We switched years ago and have LOVED it. Nutiva and Manitoba Harvest are both great brands and gosh does it ever keep you full.
ReplyDelete@ Ashley - Ooooh, good to know. We don't have a dishwasher, so I'm safe. But other people should be aware!
ReplyDelete@ lauren - I should have known you would have a whole system. I'm currently debating whether I should be speeding up my pace and then alternating walking breaks, or staying slow and just running the whole time. Currently, it varies depending on how I'm feeling.
@ Casi Leigh - I've heard of hemp protein powder, but I still can't decide whether it would be safer. I'll have to do more research.
I'm thinking about contacting Whole Foods and asking them for more information about their brand (where is it produced, what testing does it undergo, etc). Over the top dorky? I don't know. My whey protein powder is pretty simple, no overly weird ingredients, which is why I chose it. I do try to avoid eating more soy than I need to, and since I already love tofu I save all my soy allotment for that.
This is too funny, I made a yogurt smoothie for breakfast this AM. It's nice to have eggless breakfasts sometimes, especially before a workout-I'm with you I just can't do it. I love smoothies with greek yogurt or Nutiva hemp powder for protein. I have the original powder (very thick and grainy-I chug it down fast keeps me full for hours) but I'm dying to try the chocolate. The Blender Bottle is a must!
ReplyDeletecongrats on running!
ReplyDeletei just started back up, so i'm not quite at your level yet :)
i also can't have eggs before i go out, i usually have oatmeal on those days
I've started running, too. I can only go straight for 8 minutes but it still makes me feel pretty awesome. And yes, it is addictive.
ReplyDeleteIf you want protein powder with no weird (or dairy) ingredients, try Vgea or SunWarrior. They're both realy tasty, have a few flavours and are full of all sorts of nutrition!
ReplyDeletemanitoba harvest hemp products rock! and they're canadian - woo! i'm partial to the organic vanilla hemp protein powder and love it in my morning smoothie with a banana, frozen mango, a big handful of spinach and a bit of water to whir it up.
ReplyDeletewhen i was newly out of high school, i joined a boot camp fitness program that met three times a week for crazy workouts, usually consisting of a run (almost always with stairs thrown in) and about four thousand push ups. one of the instructors once yelled out while we were running "just think of all the people who are sitting on their couches watching tv right now, and you're out here doing this! who cares if you're not the fastest, or the most in shape. you're here running, and that makes you a super hero." and that's always stuck with me. so keep up the running, you are amazing for doing it!! xox
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a good combo - mango and vanilla. I've never tried that keifer from TJ's, but always give it a glance when I'm there. Should buy it finally...And good for you for congratulating yourself on a run. It's hard on the body! But so good for it, too. :)
ReplyDeletejust fyi, no supplements are actually regulated by the FDA. (a little scary, huh?) So that's why it's always best to do your research on the company. I wouldn't be too worried about WF though. Every thing I've found on them is extremely ethical.
ReplyDeletemango and vanilla is such a great combo. i used to do protein powder shakes, but haven't gone back to them for a few years. the kefir sounds pretty good though. i have to get back to running. i'm trying to wait for the temps around here to be at least 50 before i start up again though.
ReplyDeleteAn easy way to get more protein is just to add a glass of milk to your daily diet. Too much protein can be really hard on your kidneys, and protein powders make it really easy to get way more than you need.
ReplyDeleteSorry to butt in, but I've been taking a class on this and its been on my mind!
mmm I've never tried tj's froz mango and will have to! yay for healthy bacteria in kefir. this sounds delicious.
ReplyDeletethats pretty close to my "running" habits as well. i'm still pretty new to it, so i do jogging/walking intervals, but the walking is getting shorter and shorter! i've thought of having some sort of drink along those lines, but i'm never sure what to put in them....
ReplyDeleteYum, that smoothie sounds so good. If you're a smoothie girl, I recommend checking out greensmoothiegirl.com. We make a green smoothie every day and I swear we're 10 times healthier for it. Only way to get raw leafy greens daily in my book (esp. for kids). Robyn and GSG recommends Sun Warrior protein, as one of the other commenters suggested. (The other brand she mistyped is Vega.)
ReplyDelete