Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie and Week 1 Weight Loss Check-in

I have been making this Pinterest found smoothie for weeks and just now got a chance to take pictures and blog about it. While I was still pregnant, Joe saw a infomercial for the Nutri-Bullet Extractor and decided that we must have it. The best feature of the Nutri-Bullet is that it basically liquefies the fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds you put in it, making it great for smoothies. It however is not a traditional blender so it does a terrible job with ice, as it only has one speed PULVERIZE. At first I thought this would be another kitchen product we never use but I use it at least 3-4 times a week, sometimes more. My Nutri-Bullet is perfect for this smoothie recipe but I'm sure any good blender would work as well.

The ingredients: This recipe can be easily adjusted and altered to tastes, but this is what the original recipe called for.
1 handful of spinach (about a cup and a half)
Half a frozen banana (the banana in the picture is not frozen but it made for a better picture)
3 tablespoons of 0% plain Greek yogurt (more or less can be used)
1 tablespoon of peanut butter (again more or less to taste)
1/2 cup of Silk Light Vanilla soy milk (you can use regular milk, almond milk, or pro-biotic drinks as well)
1 teaspoon of cocoa powder

In goes the spinach and frozen sliced bananas (they need to be frozen or the smoothie will be on the warm side and its not nearly as good that way)

Everything in and ready to PULVERIZE

On the base

Action shot (sometimes the peanut butter and cocoa stick to the sides)

Action pour

Ready to drink

Obviously the taste will change depending on how you adjust the ingredients. MyFitnessPal put this smoothie at around 217 calories but that will obviously change depending on adjustments to ingredients and amounts. I have made this with Nutella, used Yokult probiotic drink instead of soy milk, and vanilla Greek yogurt instead of plain. All were good (especially the Nutella one).

 

Now on to the weigh loss update. Last week went well, I did one Jillian Micheal's DVD that kicked my behind. This one I think is by far the hardest one I have tried and I have done the 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30. My legs and arms killed after this and I plan on doing it again tomorrow.

I also started the Couch to 5K program using the app from Active, Inc. My friend Z and I decided to run twice a week together and once on our own. Our first run went well, however it did involve a sprint at the end in the pouring rain. We ran on Wednesday and Thursday and I did my solo run on Saturday. Saturday morning I stepped on the scale and saw

(Again sorry for the feet, I plan on getting a pedicure soon)

 

That put me down 2.2 pounds for the week. I feel good that I'm still ticking down the scale but I was kinda hoping to kiss the 180's goodbye this week. Oh well, loss is loss and I'll take it. I also did a fun run/walk on Sunday and tested how long I could run without having to stop and walk. I was able to handle about 3.5 minutes without walking, which is frustrating when 11 months ago I could run for 40 minutes straight. I know you have to start somewhere and 3.5 minutes is better then none so I'll take it. I am working on a reward system for each 10 pound weight loss and I'll post that soon. Everybody have a great Monday and if you are working on getting moving remember no matter how slow you move, you are always moving faster than everybody still sitting on the couch (or however that quote goes :)