Saturday, February 26, 2011

Pre-run Glug, Post-run Punch!

It was a perfect morning to run...brisk, but sunny.  Mr. PT and I got up and planned to get about 5 miles in around town.  Of course, we had to put something in our stomachs to have the energy to get through, so we whipped up one of our favorite breakfasts...smoothies!



Mr. PT has perfected the banana-berry smoothie, but of course, you can add whatever you like!  Here is our tried and true favorite:

For 2 smoothies, you will need:
-1 banana
-3/4 cup milk (dairy, soy, or almond)
-1/2 cup yogurt
-1 1/2 cup frozen berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries...your choice!)
-5 baby carrots
-honey and cinnamon (optional)

Put the banana and milk in the blender and blend until smooth.  Add the yogurt, blend.  Add the berries, blend.  Add the carrots and optional flavorings, blend.

The trick is to add one ingredient at time to avoid the clogging in the blender.  Also, this recipe makes a thicker, creamier smoothie (we eat them with a spoon or straw).  If you prefer a wetter smoothie, add more milk or even water.

Now, if you are an exerciser, you have to figure out what works best in your stomach.  Some people can drink an entire smoothie and hit the pavement right away.  Others have to eat less and wait longer.  For me, I can drink a smoothie, wait about 45 minutes, and be good to go.  But everyone is different.

When we got back from our run, we wanted something warm with a little extra protein.  It wasn't quite lunch time yet, but we needed something in our stomachs.


This hardly needs a recipe!  All I did was toast some cinnamon raisin English muffins, spread them with peanut butter, and sliced a banana to eat on top.  So simple, yet, perfect for recovering from a run.  

As I was running today, I thought to myself how much I love exercising.  To me, I don't exercise to punish my body.  Quite the contrary!  Exercising is my way of thanking my body for getting me through my work days, keeping me healthy, and sleeping through the nights.  If you are having trouble getting in the mood to exercise, this is a different, more positive way to approach the gift of health you are giving to yourself.

3 comments:

Kelly said...

yay!!! SMOOTHIES!

Really...what happens if I add 6 baby carrots.....lol?

Adele said...

I love that your smoothies are in beer pint glasses... yay guinness and oberon!!

Unknown said...

Haha, I swear, if you add 6 carrots it just doesn't work! Are the beer glasses bad taste? ;)