Running food: smoothies, the perfect way to start the day!

For me, breakfast is usually around 9:30, after a run, workout, or whatever.  I enjoy the intense exercise on an empty stomach first thing, and then eat to recuperate and recover.  And, of course, at that stage, the body is so vulnerable.  Eat the wrong thing, exercise is semi-erased.  Eat the right thing, workout does what it is supposed to do for the rest of the day, ie keeps you metabolism running high and burning calories.  It is so important to eat the right thing, especially first thing in the morning.  Low carb, high protein, high vitamin/mineral content, etc.  It sounds like the latest diet craze, but after a morning workout, eating the right thing feels so good.  And as a type 1 diabetic, it helps control the blood sugar throughout the day.

It takes discipline, but so does getting up at 5:00 every morning and exercising before work.  If you can do the first, the second happens almost effortlessly.  You will want to eat right.  You will have to eat right.  Your body demands it.  And you will feel so much better about yourself afterwords.  You can guiltlessly indulge in extraordinarily delicious Mexican food later on.

My breakfast go-to is usually a light yogurt, banana and milk, but when I have the time, a smoothie is ALWAYS my breakfast of choice.  Think about the possibilities!!  What can't you put into a smoothie??  Of course, that includes high sugar high fat items as well, but focusing on the healthy aspect, the smoothie could be the perfect post-workout breakfast food.  I am going to give you my favorite version; may it serve as a platform for your own ideas!  And, on a side note, flavor-wise (flavor and balance is always key!!!), banana/strawberry will ALWAYS be my favorite.  Yogurt, milk, honey, banana and strawberry with a little ice in a blender... you can't go wrong!  My personal smoothie is like a superfood.  And your body will thank you later on.

My Favorite Smoothie

Prep time: 2 minutes
Makes: 2 smoothies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup skim or soymilk
1/2 cup 0% greek yogurt
2 large leaves kale, ripped into shreds
3 tbsp ground flax seed
1/2 pint washed blueberries
5 strawberries
10 almonds almonds
1 banana
1 tbsp organic honey
any other assorted berry (the darker the better, like acai or blackberry)

Method:

Put everything in a bar blender and puree until as smooth as possible.  If you like it a little sweeter, add more honey.  Serve right away.

Of course, if you have ripe peaches hanging around, add one.  Add 1/2 an avocado.  Add raspberries.  Don't like kale?  Don't add it!  The flax seed adds a wonderful nutty flavor and texture, and pound for pound is one of the healthiest foods you can put in your body.  You like it colder, with ice?  Use frozen blueberries instead of fresh!  Again, this is my smoothie, my perfect food.  My hope is that it will inspire you to make your smoothie.  Your perfect food.

Enjoy