Smoothies seem to be the rage right now. When I first heard about it, I was not interested in trying them. I had no desire to drink my food. Then I was doing some research about tightening up my diet. I would love to have an amazing muscular stomach, which means I need to be leaner than I am currently. My neighbor then started telling me she was juicing her breakfast, feeling great and dropping weight, without changing anything else. I thought ok, if I need to add more veggies into my diet and I am not interested in eating cups of veggies for breakfast, maybe I need to think about the juicing or smoothie option. I started looking for veggie smoothie recipes online. All the recipes I found online had lots of carbs- fruit and strong flavored veggies I do not want for breakfast.
Necessity is the mother of invention!
I started with favorite mild veggies that pack a good veggie punch, and I came up with my recipe. This has become my breakfast most mornings. I can put it together on the way out the door and drink it at my desk while I am working. I am aiming for about 300 calories, and relatively low carb. I do not want to take a ton of insulin for breakfast. Net carbs = 17 – I am having to take 2-3 units.
- 1c unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 c fat free greek yogurt
- 100g zucchini
- handful of greens
- 2 cups cauliflower
- 1 scoop protein powder
1 cup or 240grams of unsweetened Almond milk
1/2 cup or 115 grams of plain greek yogurt
100grams of zucchini, about 1/2 a cup
1 handful of greens. I like the Aldi mixed greens with baby kale and baby spinach.
I have used both vanilla and strawberry protein powder. I like them both. I buy whatever is reasonably priced, with minimal carbs. 25 grams of protein, and less than 150 calories per serving. 
1 scoop = 33 grams of protein powder
I add the protein powder on top of the greens so it does not get wet too soon and stick to the side of the blender cup.
I then cut up and fill the blender cup with cauliflower. About two cups or so of chopped cauliflower
Once the blender cup is full, screw on the blender blade lid. Blend until super smooth.
I then add the secret morning ingredient, coffee!
Since the smoothie is somewhat thick to start with, and I drink cold coffee anyway, I add black coffee to the veggie smoothie, which thins it out, ads a bit of flavor along with my morning caffeine. I love it. I get 3 cups of vegetables, along with the kick from my coffee, and plenty of protein for my breakfast. It takes me a couple of hours to drink while I am working, so it keeps me full all morning until time for lunch.
I have made this for my mother and my husband without the coffee and they both really like it, so it is kid and mother approved! Husband=kid!
Please let me know what you think of the Pamtastic smoothie…