Banana split smoothie
Hi! Happy Wednesday to ya 🙂 How’s the day going so far?
This week has already been a lot of fun. I took Livi to her yoga class and we planted some herbs in the garden. I might eat my words later, but I feel like you really have to work to kill plants here. Succulents grow freely out of the cement, and our hibiscus plant, which hasn’t bloomed in about a year has tiny little flower buds. It’s pretty exciting! I filled some of Livi’s Easter eggs with herb seeds for us to plant together, so we planted some spinach, basil, San Marzano tomatoes and jalapeños. Fingers crossed that they grow!
One thing that I’ve noticed about living here is that it’s actually a little more challenging to get organic produce at the grocery store. I’m not sure why, but the Trader Joe’s nearby hardly has any organic produce. Maybe because there are so many farmers markets? I have no idea. Anyway, when they didn’t have organic berries, I knew that frozen would be a good substitute.
An awesome sundae-esque smoothie we’ve been enjoying:
This is a great combination of protein, carbs and healthy fats.. and really tastes like a dessert.
Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a whirl. (Newsletter subscribers got this one already!)
-1 frozen banana
-1 cup almond milk
1/2 pack or 1 heaping tablespoon of your favorite protein powder (optional)
-1/2 cup plain yogurt (can use vegan yogurt or goat’s milk yogurt, too)
-1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
-1 tablespoon(ish) chocolate chips
-Stevia or honey to taste (optional)
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
-sprinkle of cinnamon
Some pics from last night’s dinner party:
classic salmon with a maple-ginger-orange marinade
+ baked sweet potatoes
a big ol’ salad:
and pizzookie!
(Used Elana’s Pantry dough for the crust, baked for 15 minutes and topped with coconut ice cream.)
Last, but definitely not least: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this lovely lady <3
xoxo
Gina
See ya later on the Family page + back here for a new treadmill workout 🙂
51 Comments
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That smoothie sounds delicious!!!
Yum! But, a bigger question, where are your pattern pants from?!
white plum sent them to me a while ago! here’s the link: http://shopwhiteplum.com/collections/palazzo-pants
Thanks! They are adorable!
your salmon dinner looks so satisfying, mmmm.
That salmon looks divine! I can see in the background that you used a Green Goddess dressing on your salad. I’ll have to pick some of that up! I’ve been wanting to give it a whirl.
I can’t wait to try that smoothie!
I’m always looking for new smoothie ideas, and this one looks great!
our TJs in new york also hasn’t had organic berries for the longest time! very disappointing…
Those pants are fantastic! So sassy! 😉
Is that an arugula salad? I bought a bag at TJ’s earlier this week but have no idea how best to serve it in a salad. Already used a handful in a quinoa dish but I have 3/4 of the package left! Ideas?
that smoothie looks and sounds delicious!! I did some planting this weekend too! Fingers crossed our grass grows and that our flowers don’t die!
Mmmm that Salmon looks delicious! I noticed that our TJ doesn’t have a lot of organic produce here in Indiana. I always have to go to Whole Foods. Lucky to have them both in our area!
That smoothie looks great! That’s weird that there’s a lack of organic foods in grocery stores. Have you checked out Whole Foods?
Sorry, obviously the local Whole Foods. Not have you ever checked out a whole foods ever. That would be a stupid question. ;p
yeah but i find that the produce is super overpriced. i like to pay $4 for my organic strawberries instead of $7 😉
Yum! I bet you had some very happy dinner guests 🙂
Thanks for sharing your smoothie recipe! Sounds devine!
That smoothie sounds delicious!
Hey Lady!
For Organics, try Sprouts (many local locations, one on Rosecrans and Midway) or Baron’s (right near Orange Theory – across the street, in fact).
awesome, thank you! i’ve been to baron’s once, but it was a quick blitz in and out. i’ll have to go back soon! and yes, sprouts is a fave too but i like trader joe’s prices better, so i go there for all of our other groceries (butter, milk, eggs, meat, etc)
Me too, end up doing split grocery shopping (which does get a bit old)…
I concur with the the Sprouts suggestion. They have tons of reasonably priced organic produce- or the Hillcrest farmer’s market.
yes, the hillcrest market had beautiful produce and great prices. i’ll definitely check out sprouts again!
That smoothie looks delicious! I’ve decided I need more smoothies in my life!
Hey, Gina! I’m not exactly sure where in SD you are but have you tried Sprouts? I know there are a few in town and they have great organic options. I have to say that Sprouts is the thing I miss most about the west coast (I’m in NC now).
i have! the one here has an ok selection, but i like trader joe’s prices even more 🙂
You might give Sprouts another chance. They have awesome prices on produce, really good sales, and I love that things aren’t pre-packaged like they are at TJ’s. It is true that some of the Sprouts have a better organic selections than others.
that’s a good idea. i’ll check it out when i replenish our produce stash tomorrow 🙂
I love smoothies like this! I have never added chocolate chips before so I will have to try that for a bit more indulgent smoothie. It sounds like the new place is just a lot of fun. So glad to hear!
Smoothies have been rocking my world these days! I’m craving a ton of fruits and veggies right now. Must be the heat! It hit 100 last weekend in AZ. I never thought about tossing in chocolate chips in my smoothie. That’s a great idea!
it’s finally summer! So I have to, have to, have to make this smoothie!
That recipe sounds great, I’m so happy that it’s smoothie season again! Not that I don’t have smoothies during the winter but it will be nice to drink them without wearing 3 layers of clothing 😉
I make something very similar to this! Love the combination!
That smoothie sounds great and I want to face plant into that sweet potato! Yummo!
Do you give Liv regular milk or almond?
regular. 2% or whole organic
That banana split smoothie looks amazing! I’ve never had chocolate chips in my smoothies before. I’ll have to give it a try!
So many delicious things in one post! 🙂
Is that 1/2 cup of strawberries measured whole or diced? Also, what is a pizzookie?
Don’t be too surprised if the farmers markets are a little disappointing. We are originally from the Midwest and to us, farmers markets are where everyone goes to get their fresh produce, eggs, bread, cheeses, even meats sometimes.. Along with coffee, crafts, etc. But we’ve been to about 5 different farmers markets here in San Diego and they mostly consist of food vendors (tamales, street corn, gyros, etc) with MAYBE 1-2 produce vendors.
That Smoothie is yummy! Oh Sweet Potatoes got to love them! I put one in my salad almost every time 🙂
Hey girl,
I was just wondering–do you only eat goat’s dairy–like for yogurt as well? I’ve been reading up on it–and it seems like goat’s dairy is better for you. It has less lactose sugar found in milk and is easier to digest. But–the only goats yogurt I’ve found is the red hill brand at whole foods and it’s a lot more calories and fat than just plain fat-free cows Greek yogurt–which I love. I was just wondering what you’ve been doing. Do you avoid all cows milk dairy or do you switch it up? Thanks!
Those pizzookies look amazing I will have to copy that some time!
This is totally random, but hubby and I live in SD too and I get some great organic produce -and meat actually -at Costco. It’s a commitment sometimes to finish it but I buy stuff all the time and am surprised to find it’s organic when I get it home (and like other people have said Sprouts is awesome too and have amazing bulk bins)! Happy produce hunting!
i’m so excited to hear this! i’ve tried to go to costco TWICE but have been eaten by ikea instead.
Finally smoothie weather in NYC and this smoothie is going to be the first I make-love dessert tasting smoothies! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Gina, how do you cook your salmon? I love salmon, but whenever I make it, that white stuff (I don’t if it’s the fat or what) comes oozing out of it and doesn’t really come off even if I try to scrape it. It never comes out looking like yours, whether I do it in the oven, stovetop or grill. Help!
i pan-sear it and then bake it. i think the white stuff is actually protein (?) and is a sign that the salmon is overcooked. you want it dancing on the edge of done 😉 i’ll sear it (skin side up) in a scorching hot pan and then flip it into a baking dish (skin side down). bake at 375 for about 10 minutes until it flakes easily with a fork
Thank you so much! I’m definitely doing it this way next time!!
My teens and I loved the smoothie recipe! My son agrees it is as good as a milkshake- but much more nutritious! Your dinner looks fabulous. Do you have a recipe for the salmon marinade?
i’m so happy you all liked it! the salmon is a recipe for the book. email me (fitnessista at gmail dot com) and i can send it to you 🙂
Delicious smoothie! I did not have any bananas frozen and was too impatient to wait, so I used a fresh banana; also, I don’t use protein powder, so I threw in a raw egg. Very tasty–will definitely make it again!