My name is Athlettuce.  And I’m addicted to smoothies.

I’ve had a smoothie almost every morning for at least six months, and I’m showing no signs of stopping.  I have one on days I run, on days I lift, on days I sleep in.   They make me feel so, so good, and like I’m starting my day on the right foot.  They are also portable–I can tuck them into the side pocket of my backpack and drink once I get to work or after Orangetheory.  I can drink while walking the dog.  Or I can enjoy at home on the couch.  They are easy to digest, so I don’t need to wait long after drinking one to work out, but they are also refreshing and protein-packed to help with recovery.

I should note that I’m not like those creative folks on Instagram coming up with a variety of colorful smoothie bowls with lines of seeds and nuts and coconut strips on top.  No, I’m more of a practical smoothiewoman.

Here’s what I throw in the blender:

• a couple of handfuls of ice (maybe 7 or so cubes?)
• half a frozen banana (I just keep a bunch of these on hand)
• a giant handful of kale (when I’m out of kale, I just omit)
• about a serving, maybe a little less, of unsweetened non-dairy milk (soy if you need some extra protein, or I like almond or almond-coconut; I use Silk brand most often)
• about half a cup of water (add more if your smoothie won’t blend)
• one scoop of Vega One Chocolate powder (this is not just a protein powder–it has all kinds of vitamins, probiotics, fiber, etc.)
• a few tablespoons of PB2 powdered peanut butter (best invention ever?)

Blend until smooth (pulsing helps).  If I’ve had an extra hard lift, I sometimes also add half a scoop of a soy protein powder for some extra protein.  THIS THING TAKES LIKE A MILKSHAKE.  I even call it my “milkshake” at home.  I get my pb-chocolate fix FOR BREAKFAST without Reese’s Cups or ice cream!  Note that the kale will get in your teeth/stuck on your face.  So maybe rinse afterward?

Today I was out of Vega powder (probably because I had several evening smoothies last week during Hell Week) so I had to improvise, and the result was pretty darn good.  So for those of you who don’t have Vega, or who for some reason don’t want to try out Vega, give this one a try:

• a couple of handfuls of ice (maybe 7 or so cubes?)
• a full frozen banana
• a small non-frozen organic gala apple (not the core, in case that isn’t obvious)
• about a serving, maybe a little less, of soy milk
• about half a cup of water (add more if your smoothie won’t blend)
• a few tablespoons of PB2 powdered peanut butter
• a couple of tablespoons of chia seeds (fiber, omega-3s, protein, calcium)
• about a tablespoon of hemp seeds (protein! fat!)

I should also note that I would be very wary of any smoothie containing (1) all fruits without nuts, seeds, yogurt, or protein powder (that’s a lot of sugar without a buffer, and it probably won’t keep you full); (2) fruit juice (just put the whole fruit in and get that fiber!); or (3) added honey or syrup (isn’t fruit sweet enough? throw in a banana!).

What do you like to put in your smoothies? When do you prefer them–before a run?  After?  Breakfast?  Dinner?