Happy Monday and happy first day of the 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge!
I kicked off my Monday by teaching BodyPump and then coming home and making a green protein smoothie. I kept it basic for day one. Here’s what we’re working with…
1 cup almond milk
6 crushed ice cubes
2 cups spinach (loosely packed leaves)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 banana
I loved the bright green color of today’s smoothie. You start to get that weird dark green/brown tint when you add berries (which is tasty but not quite as sightly!). I poured it into a to-go cup and enjoyed it once I got to work. I taught the morning circuit class at Metro and by request we went heavy on the lower body exercises. Lots of lunging, single leg squats and dead lifts and lateral jumping. We threw some pullups in there for upper body work since they’re so effective in targeting pretty much everything.
Alright, as promised…here is the list of participants in the 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge (with blog links if applicable).
Jen at Peanut Butter Runner
Katherine at Real Food Runner
Bess at Bess Be Fit
Chelsea
Diana at Bubbly and Buttercup
HRCK at HRCK the Herald
Heather at Bake It. Create It. Love It.
Nicole
Danielle
Lisa
Sam at Sam Bock Illustration and Design
Yuliya
Abby at Sounds Like Canada
Michelle from Shaklee
Lindsey at Cardio Pizza
Agatha at Lifestyle Inc.
Jenny V.
Megan at Fly the Friendly Skies
Whitney at Whit Likes Fit
Brooke at Exercise for Fries
Kamaile
Kristin
Maggie
Katie
Amy
Miriam at Bellaspire
Courtney at Fitness with a Fork
Ginger
Angie at Living Like Kings
Irene at Love the Fit Life
Tiffany at Drink, Run, Yoga
Cath at Chasing Healthy
Karen
Diane M
Angie
Julie
Bonnie at Life to the Full
Nicole at Portland Traveler
Jennifer
Jackie at That Deep Breath
Lisa at Lisa Lately
Fabiola at Focus on the Breath
Shay at Whine Less, Breathe More
Sophie
Laura
Pam
Russ G. at Russell
Mary Ann
Kelly at Foodie Fresh
Brittany at Banter By Brit
Michelle at From Seed to Tree
Whitney W.
Helen at Running for HHT
Michelle
Jessica
Becca at Southern Runner Gal
Lauren at Fun, Fit and Fabulous
Sarah
Jodie
Lauren at Sugar Britches
*following participants were added on 3/27/12*
Jennifer at Knack for Nutrition
Brooke at Sweats and Sweets
Laurent at Peanut Butter Powered
Win at NC Brewing
Catherine
Alyssa at Fit and Fun In Third
Samantha at The More I Run
Holly
Lindsay E.
Heather A.
Rebecca Y.
Kristin
Stephanie at Nucci’s Nook
McRae
Stephanie at McMania: Our Life As We Know It
Taylor at Anchors and Argyle
Gadabout at Confessions of a Gadabout
Kate G.
Elaina G.
Lisa P.
Julie Anne at Julie Doodles
Jaclyn T.
Lauryn R.
Keri
Suzanne C.
Tracy at Heart Healthy Eats
Tina at Carrots N’ Cake
Let me know if you still want to join or if your name is not on the list and I will add you! 😛
Stay tuned…we are finalizing a Facebook page where we can share photos and recipes and use the hashtag #7daygreensmoothiechallenge on Twitter!
Who got green today? What was in your mix!?
And just because I have them edited and ready to go, here are pics of last night’s dinner and today’s lunch.
I made baked eggplant parmesan last night.
I dredged eggplant in four and then dipped it in an egg wash before breading the slices with a mixture of panko, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. Baked at 400 for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. When I flipped, I topped the slices with mozzarella cheese. Served with whole wheat penne pasta and portobello marinara.
Today’s lunch was an egg salad sandwich with avocado, tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, sprouts and Dijon mustard.
Have a great week!
I’m so in! I forgot to comment on your last post. I had a green smoothie this morning. Also, I love when I click over to your blog and am greeted by Sullie’s smiling face!
thanks for participating! and so happy sullie can brighten your day! 🙂
I’m in! I too forgot to comment on the last post, but I had my green smoothie after my run and P90X. I’m wanting to add protein powder to tomorrow’s, but I’m a little intimidated.
thank you for participating! try the protein powder! 🙂
In my smoothie today I had pineapple, strawberries, spinach, blueberries and soy protein power. So good and filling. Your eggplant parm looks really good!
yum! i definitely want to pick up some pineapple for some tropical variations.
That smoothie looks great! I often have berries in mine so it’s such a gross green-brown color (still delicious though).
Win at ncbrewing.org!
1st time posting! I adore your blog. Thank you for the endless workout inspirations and healthy eats. I look forward to it everyday 🙂
I’m in for the Challenge! This morning my smoothie included spinach, kale, parsley, banana, fresh ginger and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
catherine – thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment with such kind words! 🙂
your smoothie sounds awesome. i love the addition of the parsley, ginger and lemon. yum!
I am in, but I cheated a little. I had my smoothie for an afternoon pick me up. Spinach, strawberries and cucumber! I just mix with water.
it doesn’t have to be breakfast. afternoon snack is perfect too!
Had a green smoothie for breakfast this morning! Started my day off right! 🙂
I did add berries to mine and you are correct, the color turns pretty hideous!
I made more a of a juice today with the Vitamix:
In my mix:
roughly 2 cups spinach
1 large carrot
cup of frozen broccoli
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup pineapple
yum! sounds super nutritious!
Mine includes a big handful of spinach, a frozen banana, 3-4 frozen strawberries, a cup of unsweetened plain almond milk, and 2 tbs peanut butter. Thanks for asking everyone to share their recipes! It’s fun to see what other people do with them. I’m excited to try some of the variations posted here!
i know – i’m loving getting new inspiration for recipes too!
ha! i added berries to mine last week and the color was heinous but it was so tasty!
Your eggplant looks so yummy! And easy. I think I could make that!
I will post my green smoothie tonight.
I made mine for breakfast this morning: Cherries Jubilee protein powder, milk, frozen tart cherries, spinach, and a splash of lemon juice.
love the cherry spin!
my breakfast green smoothie had:
1 banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
large handfuls of collards and kale
couple dashes of apple pie spice
scoop of chocolate Shakeology
1 tsp Barleymax
2 TBSP ground flax
water to thin
apple pie spice sounds yum! love your mix!
Green Smoothie for breakfast. I took a picture of it on my way to school but I forgot to send it to you! :0
It consisted of:
12 ounces of almond/coconut milk
half banana
hand full of spinach
4 ice cubes
One scoop of Vegan protein powder
Teaspoon of Maca powder
….so good! Love you, Jen!
sounds good! thank you for playing along.
we need to make that get together happen soon! 🙂
I’m in! I’m wimping out and only going for 5 days though–I need short term commitment! 🙂 My basic green smoothie is spinach, vanilla soy milk, banana (preferred frozen) and protein powder. I had a green smoothie this morning in lieu of my morning cup of coffee!
you’re brave! i had a smoothie…and coffee! 🙂
I’m in! I had my first green smoothie ever today, and I loved it.
yes!!!
I had the same mix as you with some cinnamon mixed in 🙂
well then i know your smoothie was delicious! 🙂
I kicked off my day with a Green Monster. In it was almond milk, banana, raspberries, flaxseeds, protein powder & spinach. I’ve missed making them and hope it gets me back in the habit!! So nutritious!
sounds great! they are so nutritious and such a good snack/breakfast choice during the warmer months.
I’m in for the smoothie challenge too! Today’s was 2 handfuls of spinach, banana, 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, a big scoop of vanilla Greek yogurt and a small scoop peanut butter :). Tomorrow I might break down and add a single thin mint or Oreo… Seriously takes like cookies and cream. Yum!!
thanks for participating! um…love the cookie idea! 🙂
Hi Jen!
Can I please take part in the Green Smoothie Challenge too? ..Today I was lazy and got one from Thrive Juice Bar (in Waterloo, ON) but it counts – and made me decide that it is feasible (and good for me) to make my own to complete the rest of the challenge!
Thanks!!
of course! thank you for participating! it does still count even if you didn’t make it!
Yay!! My shake was the same as yours only mine had PB:) love this!
peanut butter makes everything better! 🙂
I’m in! I commented on FB, but not the blog. My recipe today was 2 c spinach, 1/2 c kale, 1 c almond milk, 1 T almond butter, 1 banana and a pinch of chia seeds. Yum!
I have made my own smoothies for a while, and this weekend I finally got the courage to add some spinach after I was inspired by your post. I am definitely doing this daily challenge. I had a chocolate and PB combination today. My husband saw me adding the spinach and about flipped! He thinks I am nuts! Thanks for your wonderful, inspiring blog!
keri – happy to hear you finally took the spinach plunge! thanks for participating in the challenge and for reading!
i made avocado-egg salad with tomato too today. too funny. what a tasty and FILLING combo!
so good!
I’m in too! I usually have a big glass of “green drink” (juiced kale, cucumber, romaine, broccoli stems, celery and apples) for breakfast, which I store for a day or two in mason jars, but in honor of the smoothie challenged I blended my drink with frozen bananas. Yum!
kristin – that sounds amazing and so nutritious. it’s so nice to get some veggies in at breakfast!
I’m in! I totally forgot to comment on Sunday. Two days down! I need new recipes so I’m excited to see what everyone posts! I’m spreading the word on Twitter (@sdilegge)
thanks for participating and tweeting!
I’m in too! Mine yesterday and today were pretty basic – banana, spinach, protein powder and almond milk – delish!
sounds perfect! simple is good! 🙂
I started the 7 day challenge yesterday. My recipe is usually the same, vanilla greek yogurt, almond milk, mixed frozen berries, frozen banana, and handful of spinach!
I had my first green smoothie ever yesterday!! Thanks for the push- I have officially added them to my breakfast for the next week.
yes! so glad you tried it and are going to participate!
I had a smoothie without even realizing the challenge had started! Smoothies are such a great way to get your fruits, veggies and protein in all at once.
Today my smoothie was:
1 cup spinach
1 cup almond milk
half a banana
pineapple
chia seeds
1 scoop protein powder
I am using protein powder for the first time, but I got soy protein powder. Is there a benefit of whey over soy?
sounds good! soy protein is great too. there’s tons of research you can read out there about the differences between protein sources!
Count me in Jen!! I am already on day THREE (started Sunday)!!
yay! thanks for participating. i’m on day 3 too – started sunday! 🙂
Ahhh…I’m still not on the list! Can you add me? Also, I just booked my first hot yoga class for tonight…I’m nervous (especially since I’m going by myself)! For some reason I thought I should tell you that! 🙂
hi keri – i’ll make sure you’re on the list!
good luck with your first hot class. you’ll do great. hydrate today, don’t eat a couple of hours before and know that your first few classes are the hardest as your body adjusts to the heat. take breaks in child’s pose as much as you need to but try not to leave the room unless you have to.
let me know how it goes and if you have any other questions!
Hello! A couple random questions (unrelated to the green smoothies!) that I’ve been meaning to ask you.
1- How do you prepare your egg salad?
2-We see you lots of yummy looking salads. What dressing(s) do you use?
Thanks and keep up the great work!
That dinner looks yummy!
I’d love to join in too! Sorry for the late comment. LOVE this idea! 🙂
Do you think juicers are worth purchasing? Can I make a juice in a blender and get the same result?
Those eggplant parm bites look divine! Drank my green smoothie for day 1 yesterday, delicious as always 🙂 Time for day 2!
Still room on the Greene smoothie bandwagon? I had one with Kale on Monday so I can get back n the train tomorrow and continue!