Pina Colada Shake

I bought this packet of Jay Robb's protein powder to try it out a while ago, and finally decided to try and make a Pina Colada protein shake.

• 12 oz. unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 serving Pina Colada whey protein powder
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
  
•  1/2 tsp. xanthan gum 

It made a lot more than what I had expected, probably due to the addition of xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is a thickener and emulsifier. Thickeners make foods more viscous while emulsifiers help ingredients blend more effectively and stay blended. When added to smoothies, xanthan gum makes them thicker and smoother.

So thick! So smooth!

I got about two and a half glasses out of this, or about 40 ounces! Definitely very filling. :)

Does it taste like a pina colada? ...not really. It tastes very banana-y and coconut-y, with just a hint of pineapple. If you want it to taste more pineapple-y, you can replace half the almond milk with pineapple juice, or add in half a cup of frozen pineapple. This is a great way to get in some healthy protein and fat along with a fruit serving.

 Yum.

~ Susan

Vegetarian McDonald's

Have you heard? McDonald's is opening its first vegetarian-only restaurants! Unfortunately, there will only be two... and they'll both be in India. Bummer, it would be nice if there were some more readily-available vegetarian food options.

While I think it's best to try to eat produce and other whole-food items, sometimes fast food becomes the only option. For instance, sometimes I forget to schedule time for me to eat and I have to grab a quick bite on my way to work from a haircut or a doctor's appointment. A lot of fast food chains have relatively clean options for meat eaters - some variation of a grilled chicken salad. It's a bit harder when you're a vegetarian, because vegetarian options are often laden with cheese or a high-calorie sauce. Here are my top five meals to grab on the run for vegetarians:

1. McDonald's. McDonald's has salads, but if you ask for them without the meat you're basically eating lettuce. I order a fruit and walnut salad and two side salads. This comes out to about the same cost ($3.50) but is much more filling.

2. Subway. Order a veggie delite or a veggie max sub. I usually get a foot-long veggie delite with every vegetable (if you only like some of the toppings, don't be scared to ask them to double the amount of everything) and eat half for my lunch and the other half for dinner.

3. Starbucks. Get the grilled vegetable sandwich and ask them to heat it up for you. Also get a banana to eat on the side.

4. Supermarket. Run into a supermarket and grab some pre-cut and packaged fruit, crudites, hummus and pita. Dip the crudites and pita in the hummus and eat the fruit on the side.

5. Snackbars. Sometimes I'm on so much of a run that I don't have any time to stop at all. Because this happens more than I would like, I started to have a couple of Larabars in my purse at all times. I can always eat one or two of these in cases of emergency. You can also stash some nuts and/or dried fruit in your purse or at your office in cases of emergency. I love cashews, almonds, prunes, and craisins.

Let me know if you have any veggie options for those of us who are on the run!

~ Susan

Sorry for being MIA... I've been dealing with some stuff and didn't have the time or energy to blog. /: But, now I'm back!
xoxo

Tomato Pasta

I have been working longer hours than usual, so when I get home I am EXTREMELY RAVENOUS!!! As such, I have been making super-quick, extra-easy dinners.

Here's one of my current favorites:

• one box of pasta (I always use either whole wheat, or high fiber pasta)
• one carton of grape/cherry tomatoes
• olive oil
• a couple tablespoons of orange juice

 Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 400F and begin boiling water for pasta.
2. Drizzle tomatoes with some olive oil. Roast until wrinkly.
3. While tomatoes are roasting, cook pasta.
4. When the tomatoes are done, scrape them and their juices into a bowl. Stir in a couple tablespoons of orange juice.
5.  Toss pasta with the tomato/orange juice mixture.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Enjoy!

Tonight I ate this with some roasted asparagus and a side salad.

~ Susan

Today's smoothie: pineapple, mango, and orange juice