Part of my weight loss plan was to increase my protein macros. I read that if you're lifting weights you want to eat a certain amount of protein to preserve your muscle mass so you don't slow down your metabolic rate plus eating protein throughout the day makes weight loss easier because it helps with hunger and  fullness aka managing your appetite. I did not replace any meals with a protein shake, but I thought since lifting heavy weights 5x a week is such an intrical part of my workout regime it would be good to add a protein shake as a snack. I don't drink it daily, but a few times a week and it tastes really good. It was important for me to find a plant based protein powder that has clean ingredients. Truvani only has 6 ingredients in their protein powders! Just be aware that shipping is very slow and their marketing practices can be annoying.

Daily Harvest delivers frozen smoothies and plant based foods like pizza, harvest bowls,  breakfast bowls, soups, and energy bites. Everything arrives in the mail frozen and you keep it in the freezer until you're ready to use. I've known about this company for many years but never signed up because I thought I can make my own smoothies and that's more cost effective. I always saw Daily Harvest as a luxury item I wouldn't partake in. But as you know I also signed up for meal kit delivery, so I thought I would finally try this too. Mail order meal kits allow me to get healthy food while avoiding going to the grocery store and just stay home and feel safe. While I'm super lucky to be able to work from home, I don't know some days I don't have the energy to cook so I love just being able to grab an easy breakfast or lunch from my freezer.

I love anything matcha - ice cream, lattes, and smoothies. Matcha is finely ground green tea leaves that are full of antioxidants (higher than regular green tea) and gives an energy boost. It's popular at Japanese tea ceremonies. You can tell the quality of your matcha by how radiantly emerald green it is. Another ingredient in this smoothie is maca which is an ancient Peruvian superfood that gives you energy and is full of B vitamins. Maca may be helpful to weight loss because it's a strong hormone regulator. Chia seeds have omega-3 fats,  help you feel full longer and sustain your energy levels. I put them on my oatmeal and in every smoothie I make. Pumpkin seeds are full of magnesium, omega-3 fats, and tryptophan that helps with sleep. I put a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds on all my salads.

I revisited this cookbook and found this delicious smoothie recipe that tastes like ice cream. The frozen fruit are the secret ingredients as they make this smoothie extra frothy and sweet. This summer I've been making a habit of freezing watermelon to put in smoothies as it won't water down your drink like regular ice cubes and makes it more frozen and sweeter with added vitamins. So if you have a protein powder you don't like the taste of, add watermelon ice cubes to it! I was worried I wouldn't be able to make this smoothie anymore once watermelon season is over, then learned I could do the same with frozen cantaloupe! The frozen fruit will make this smoothie so creamy!


Ingredients:
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp maca powder
1 tsp chia seed
1 frozen banana
1.5 cup frozen watermelon
1 tsp raw pumpkin seeds
1 tsp Matcha Tea Powder
spirulina (optional)

Directions:
Cut up some watermelon and put it in your blender to make a juice. Then pour into your ice cube tray and freeze.  Chop up a banana and freeze, it will be easier for your blender to handle versus an uncut banana.

Mix the almond milk with everything except the fruit. Once combined slowly add the fruit a little at a time. 
Blend and pour into a glass. Top with the pumpkin seeds.

Nutritional Analysis:
1 serving, 358 calories,  22g protein, 10g fiber, 55g carbs, 31g sugar 
The sugar and carbs come from the fruit. Only 15g of the protein come from the protein powder.

  Ingredients:

2 cups filtered water

7 cups chopped spinach

1 small head of romaine lettuce

2 celery stalks

1 apple

1 ripe pear

1 banana

2 TB fresh lemon juice

½ ts bee pollen (optional) per serving

Directions: