Good glorious Monday morning to you!
I kicked my week off with a lovely morning Mom walk, followed by an invigorating 3 mile run! It’s supposed to rain off and on today, and I wanted to make sure I got some cardio in, so after saying goodbye to my Mom I took off around the neighborhood! 
The humidity level was insane – 75% or something crazy like that – and even a freezing cold shower couldn’t cool me off! You know those summer mornings when you’re running around, have the hair dryer blasting and the straightening iron on – and you just CAN’T stop sweating? That was me today. Dying!! I’m so jealous of men who can just shower, dress & go!
Luckily I had a fan to help cool me off, as well as a luscious, COLD, thick and frosty Peanut Butter & Banana Protein Smoothie!
In the mix:
1 frozen banana
1 cup skim milk (still out of almond milk!)
1/2 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
(look who’s almost empty!!!)
Blend, blend, blend!
YUM, right?!
I could literally feel my body temperature slowly dropping back down to normal as I had this…ahhhh…feeeelt soooo niiiiice.
Plus, with the protein from the whey powder and protein + fat from the peanut butter, this should keep me feeling full for hours.
Sorry Cyclones, you know I love ya’, but my heart belongs to the black & gold (and purple & gold!)
In other news, I never made it to the grocery store yesterday, which meant it was slim pickins’ when I went to pack a lunch last night. Therefore I shall be visiting my work’s cafeteria this afternoon! They’ve got great, fresh options like soups, salads and a nice sandwich bar. We shall see what I come up with…
Have a wonderful Monday!!
~~~~~
Do you usually pack or buy your lunch?
You know me, I’m generally a packer!!
Do you have to add ice to your smoothies?
This is a debate my Dad and I are having right now. I don’t. He does. He thinks smoothies are too smooth without ice. Too smooth? It’s a smoothie!! 
LOVE LOVE LOVE that glass! Where’s it from?
Do you usually pack or buy your lunch?
Always pack – tasty and saves £££
Do you have to add ice to your smoothies?
Noo cos I like them to be thick and flavourful – I don;t want water to dilute the taste :p
I never add ice, but I always MUST have a frozen banana. If I am out of bananas, I can do other frozen fruit. If I didn’t have any frozen fruit, then I probably would add ice.
OMG, what time do you meet your mom in the morning??? It must be so early if you had time to do all this before Monday work morning! Totally impressed. We hit the Cedar Rapids farmers market this weekend so have lots of fresh spinich for our green monster smoothies. The farmer told us he uses kale in his so we also bought a big bag of kale to blend up. We’ll let you know how it tastes and if the 3 year old approves. Have you ever tried it?
I pack about 3 days a week, go out about 2. Ice is a must in our smoothies!
actually, I add ice too! I think it needs more of a chill/cold factor than just frozen bananas! I always wondered why/how you skipped on the ice!
I must have ice in my smoothies, I like them frosty cold! Plus it kind of bulks them up to seem bigger than they really are
I always pack my lunch, it’s way cheaper and we always have leftovers that need to be eaten. And I never put ice in my smoothies, just frozen fruit!
Always pack! Sometimes I put ice in my smoothies if I’m using a fresh banana. I need it then!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kristin, Kristin. Kristin said: The Great Smoothie Debate http://ht.ly/1V2l6 [...]
No ice, frozen fruit is just as cold, but more solid.
I add ice but I rarely add milk
I don’t need to have lunch away from home but when I do I am ahorrible packer. If i remember to pack anything its usually snacks.
I always bring lunch. Very occasionally I will go out, but I tend to overeat when I don’t pack something.
I like to add ice, but I have to make sure it’s pulsed up really fine. I like my smoothies super thick. I’ve heard that xanthan gum works well for this, too, but I haven’t had a chance to try it yet.
I try to always pack lunch – much cheaper and healthier, but there’s always a day every week or two that I just don’t have time/groceries, etc.
I’ll have to agree with your dad – I need the ice, even with the frozen banana, especially w/the protein powder. It’s a bit too frothy and not cold enough, otherwise.
This is exciting because I’m getting a blender delivered this week!! Woopa. Can’t wait.
This one is going on the list of must-makes!
i dont add ice – we never have it on hand and i just use frozen fruit instead. i feel very fortunate to be able to go home for lunch every day (i work really close to home). i get to see my doggy and make a healthy and cheap lunch from my own kitchen!
Good morning! It is a glorious day! Love the coolness in the air this morning on the west coast. It has been warm!
I add ice. I just bought a new blender and Man O Man, it rocks the ice! Nice and smooth and really cold.
I am a packer of all things! I pack snacks and lunch and I even carry my own coffee! Today I packed yoga stuff to do it at break!
I would have a really uncomfortable day without all my own stuff!
How do you peel a frozen banana? Do you let it unthaw for a couple minutes?
I am gonna jump in here…
I peel my banana’s before I freeze them, is that what everyone else does too?
That’s what I do. I tried to freeze bananas with the peels on before and it was a complete failure.
Yep, the first time I tried to freeze bananas, I left the peels on. Had to let them thaw completely before I could use them, and they were a gloppy mess. Luckily, I was baking with them and not making smoothies!
YES, peel prior to freezing. it took me a while to figure that one out though
ha
No ice! I think it just ends up melting and watering down the flavor of the smoothie.
I usually use frozen fruit instead of ice because it blends up a lot easier in our wimpy blender. Your tip of freezing banana that is already sliced works wonders to thicken without lumps. Chia seeds make a smoothie nice and thick, too.
That smoothie sounds great! We have chocolate protein powder at home and I like to do banana and strawberry with it…but adding PB is a great idea.
I always pack my lunch! I’ve been a lunch bringer since I was a kid. Rarely, did I eat cafeteria food.
I’m with your dad on the smoothie debate…I always add ice.
I’m about half and half on the packing lunch. I’ll be going out with the BF today!
I always add ice, for volume if nothing else.
Good Morning All…
Frozen or Cold Fruit.. :O) Makes for an easier Chug..
Happy Monday!
I pack lunch *almost* every day! I packed today but my husband is whisking me away to a lunch date at Subway. Woo hoo!!
For my smoothies, if I use a frozen banana I do not use ice. If I use a fresh banana, I do use ice. It’s very complex.
Thats such a fun Iowa glass, where did you get it?
I always always always pack my lunch! It saves money and also saves me from making impulse choices on lunch
I haven’t made a smoothie for a loooong time but when I did, I would never use ice, instead I would use frozen bananas…they made it much more creamier than ice would!
I always pack lunch and snacks. Not a fan of spending ten dollars for a salad from Au Bon Pain or Cosi. I only add ice to my smoothies if I don’t have enough frozen fruit.
I pack 4 days out of five and then treat myself to one meal out a week. Packing is so helpful when it comes to saving money and eating healthy. I count my calories so eating out tends to be a bit of a pain, since I have to go online first and research what I can eat. Chipotle is my normal guilty treat, and I was shocked how healthy it can be sans the “crap”. (tortilla, cheese.. etc)
No ice in my smoothies!! I used to work at the Smoothie Factory and the secret is that ice adds more substance to fill the smoothie cup, but it waters down the flavor!
I sweat to death if I shower immediately after exercising. I have to give myself about 15-20 minutes to get it all out. But I am a dress and go girl thanks to curly hair and some hair spray.
Do you usually pack or buy your lunch?
I live upstairs from my office so I technically pack unless we have meetings.
Do you have to add ice to your smoothies? I like iced fruit. Makes it cold but not icy.
I almost always pack my lunch. Well, actually, my husband packs mine and his at the same time. He’s the best! It saves money and I know exactly what I’m eating.
We usually put ice in our smoothies, but I think I’m going to try it without after seeing this post because sometimes it ends up being thicker than I’d like it to be. We’ll see how it goes!
I love the glass, i try to come back for the fair, am coming this year, and would love to find one.
Always add a little ice, also the fruit is always frozen.
Where did you get that sweet glass? My family lived in Iowa for about 5 years and my sister was born there. She would love it!!
I had a PB & Banana milkshake in South Africa and it was soooo goood. But it was filled with ice cream and sugar. This sounds like it might be a tasty alternative.
I’ve gotta have ice!
Course, I’m the same girl that doesn’t enjoy ice cream… I like ice milk… yum, it’s the best… and it has fewer calories than ice cream!
By the way – I scanned something for you and will be sending shortly.
I don’t like adding ice to smoothies — it makes them too watery! But frozen fruit is pretty essential to get the right texture. Frozen bananas are the best!
I prefer to use frozen berries or frozen bananas in my smoothies, if I have neither I’ll use ice but I think it waters down the flavor!
I use frozen fruit, so no ice…nope!
I always take my lunch. Well, nearly always. I might eat out once every 4-6 weeks for lunch.
I’ll add ice when I don’t have any frozen fruit to throw in…because then it would just be juice right?? Your smoothies looks delicious though!
Almost ALWAYS pack… going back to the days of elementary school
My husband & I try to stick to a budget — and I’d much rather spend money on meals out with HIM than a coworker. I’d also rather have a supper out than lunch.
I like to add some ice for a little ‘volume’ to my smoothie…
Also — where did you get your fabulous glass?!
i want your IOWA cup!! Would be a great family Christmas present!!
usually if i throw in a frozen banana or other frozen fruit i dont add a ton of ice…usually just a few cubes. ha so i guess i always do use ice! ha. i love the icy frothy texture:)
[...] The alarm went off at 5:15, I was out the door walking with my Mom at 5:30, and running my little heart out by 5:55. Working out in the humidity of the am = sweating profusely while trying to get ready. Luckily, Ben snuck the AC down to 75 (75!!!) last night, so it wasn’t as bad as Monday. [...]