chocolate protein smoothie

I NEVER remember to eat breakfast.  I make it for everyone else, but mornings are when I wander around the house getting everything done.  It's gotten to the point where I had to put a sticky note on top of the coffee maker reminding me to eat breakfast.  Because of course I would never forget my morning coffee.

My best bet for breakfast is a grab and go option.  I love things like cinnamon rolls (obviously), but I'm either busy or I don't want anything too filling.  This drink is perfect.  Filling, easy to grab, and delicious.

To make this drink even easier and quicker in the morning I dump all the ingredients into tupperware in the fridge the night before.  That way the chia is easier to blend (having had all night to plump up), and all I have to do in the morning is dump one container's contents in the blender.  Simple.

I normally end up making a double batch though.  Everyone always asks for "just a few sips", and that adds up quickly!

I love having a super thick smoothie that fills me up and gives me hours of energy, especially when it feels and tastes like I'm drinking a chocolate shake (for breakfast.  Yay!)

This is the average meal for Jack and me on days when Liam is at preschool and Jeff is at work.  They almost always end up with bits of sandwich, plus a train (or two) and a cat on the table with us.  Plus Jack always decides that whatever I'm eating is what he wants.  We'll be eating THE SAME THING, but mine is in a different container than his, so...

If I'm using a cup, plate, bowl, etc. that looks like he could easily break it then Jack wants it even more.  And heaven forbid I try to help him hold it.  Nope.

He stills makes me a little nervous, but he hasn't broken any dinnerware yet *sigh of relief*.  I'm happy to share.  :)




Chocolate Protein Smoothie
makes 1 large or 2 small servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 heaping tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 scoop protein powder (I prefer vanilla flavored whey)
• sugar to taste
• 1 banana, frozen
• ice (optional)

Directions:

1. For best results combine all ingredients overnight in the fridge.  In the morning pour out into a blender.  Blend thoroughly.  Enjoy immediately.

note: Ice is only needed if you do not use a frozen banana, or if you want an extra cold and icy smoothie.

If you make the smoothie entirely in the morning it might take a little more blender time to break up the chia seeds.

peanut butter cup chia pudding

Nothing makes you feel more like a hippie than looking at the huge jar of chia seeds in your pantry.  I mocked chia for the longest time, remembering it as the dreaded chia pets my friends would tease me that they'd get me for my birthdays.  Oh, the horror.

 During a shopping trip to Winco recently I bought a tiny amount of chia seeds to try out.  I found them in the huge bulk section (which is mostly the reason why I love shopping there).  I loved how versatile chia is, how easy they are to add to a recipe, or just store, and if you can find them in bulk they are dirt cheap.  For reference, I got several cups at Winco for like $2, but a barely one cup pouch of them at Trader Joe's cost $4! No thank you.

My favorite use for chia seeds currently is chia pudding, ever popular on places like Pinterest.  It takes about two minutes to make at night, then all you have to do is let it sit overnight in the fridge.  Done.  Chia pudding is the perfect breakfast for busy chaotic mornings.  Plus, it tastes like dessert, is crazy delicious and filling, and doesn't kill all my allotted calories for the day.

All you need for the chia pudding is cocoa powder, sugar, PB2 powder, chia seeds, and milk.

Add all the ingredients into a cereal bowl and whisk well.  Then place in the fridge for at least one hour, or overnight.

I like using cashew milk because it makes the chia pudding really rich and creamy with only 60 calories a cup!  That's 30 less calories a cup than the watery skim milk I used to use.

I love having chia seeds on hand now because I know I can always make this for breakfast (or a snack!), or I can toss a tablespoon or two in with a bunch of other recipes.  And how cute to the chia seeds look in this cute jar?  I find that I eat healthier when my options are visible and pretty in my pantry.

If you really dislike the tapioca like bumps in the pudding (I know some people just despise that texture, and that's okay) just can stick the chilled pudding in the blender for a minute to smooth it all out.

Also, this chia pudding keeps me super happy full and energetic all morning.


peanut butter cup chia pudding
makes 1 large bowl (but feel free to share!)

ingredients:

• 4 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp PB2 powder
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a large cereal bowl and whisk well.  Refrigerate overnight for a quick breakfast.  Refrigerate at least 1 hour if you want to eat sooner.  Stir well, enjoy!  Feel free to puree if you want a smooth texture.

Note: I used cashew milk for this recipe because got a free carton of it from Bzzagent and I wanted an excuse to try it out.  I love it!  I'm lactose intolerant so I like alternative diary options.  The cashew milk is delicious!  Its so rich and creamy.  IT makes this pudding taste so much more fattening than it really is.  That's fine with me.  :)

Nutrition Facts User Entered Recipe
1 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories		370.4
Total Fat		22.2 g
	Saturated Fat	2.4 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	1.2 g
Cholesterol		0.0 mg
Sodium		255.1 mg
Potassium		147.3 mg
Total Carbohydrate		41.5 g
	Dietary Fiber	23.8 g
	Sugars	13.7 g
Protein		18.1 g

Vitamin A	11.0 %
Vitamin B-12	50.0 %
Vitamin B-6	0.3 %
Vitamin C	0.0 %
Vitamin D	25.0 %
Vitamin E	50.1 %
Calcium	70.7 %
Copper	10.2 %
Folate	0.4 %
Iron	22.2 %
Magnesium	10.7 %
Manganese	10.4 %
Niacin	0.6 %
Pantothenic Acid	0.1 %
Phosphorus	8.0 %
Riboflavin	30.8 %
Selenium	1.1 %
Thiamin	0.3 %
Zinc	10.5 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.