Post Workout Banana & Oat Green Smoothie

I'm currently rolling a tennis ball under foot. I'm in desperate need of new running shoes. In my mind, I'm cursing myself for not taking the time to shop for a new pair. Tell you a secret, these running shoes have been with me since last years 10K. bad, bad, bad. very bad. It's no wonder my arches ache and my knee is driving me crazy each time I run or hit the gym. I'm promising myself a block of time on Wednesday to shop for new running shoes. You all hold me to it!!! I'm so quick to put myself off and worry over others but this is important stuff here. for realzzzz.

Ok, on to the awesomely.delicious post work-out smoothie. 

If you like banana and pineapple this ones for you.  If you sweat and drag yourself back home after a run or time at the gym, this ones for you. If you... just kidding.

What's in it...

Post Workout Protein Green Smoothie

4 spinach ice cubes
2 handfuls spinach
1 sliced banana
chunks of pineapple (maybe cups worth)
scoop of peanut butter (you can make your own!)
teaspoon of L-Glutamine
scoop of banana flavored protein powder
half cup of oats
half cup of almond milk (or other liquid)

So the list of items makes it seem complicated but it's not. This is simple stuff, just chop, scoop and dump.
Let the blender do the hard work. If you really like the taste of peanut butter go for it, make it a heaping spoonful. I kinda don't so if I'd change anything about this it would be a little less peanut butter. The banana and pineapple are light, fluffy flavors so the peanut butter does get the limelight.

If you haven't noticed yet, I'm a bit obsessed with banana's. No one in their right mind wants a banana protein powder shake, awesome for me because GNC marked this whey protein flavor down from 60 to 20. Thank you very much, it makes for a super yummy post workout smoothie. What is L-Glutamine? It comes in tablet or powder form and is believed to help with muscle repair and growth aka soreness. When you're working hard, you're gonna have sore muscles. It's a good thing, a strong sign that you're becoming better. But it doesn't necessarily look on good you. At least not me. When I'm struggling up a staircase with toddler, purse, dog, and groceries I look all sorts of foolishness. I believe in L-Glutamine. When I use it consistently I notice my soreness fades more quickly. It's also known to aid in digestion and help deliver protein to muscles. Definite pluses when working out. We buy powder form and just add it to our shakes and smoothies. An easy and thoughtless aid in post workout care.

Why oats? ehhhh, I've just noticed a lot of smoothies, cookies and brunches making oats look fancy. And because we know oats hold fiber. Fiber fills you up and helps keep things on the reg. (whatever that's worth). It's just half a cup of traditional oats. Good ole' Quaker style. One of these days I'll try mashing a banana into oats and see what all the rave is over those yummy looking cookies but for now the resturant size tub of oats is just for me' smoothies. If you're wanting a green smoothie to tie you over between meals or be a meal replacement, add oats to help fill you up.

yes, little man will literally fight me for a sip of my green smoothies. excellent way to sneak him some veggies! 

this pic of us first went up on IG about a week ago!

That's it loves! I'm beat, my feet ache and my belly is full. I'm off to watch some TV and stare into my lovers eyes. Plus I'm really full of myself tonight, so it's best I get out of here!

Tomorrow is the first link up for this Green Smoothie Challenge! I'm excited to see us all link our posts. You don't have to make a new special post for the link up, you can totally use Mondays or today's. In fact, I'll probably use today's :) It's been fun wondering around, checking into everyones excitement and recipes!  I feel uber happy that so many have joined this challenge and having a go-to place in tomorrows link up will make it much easier for us to meet each other! Wooohooo to 7 days of green smoothies!

Make sure to check in with Katherine (our ring leader), Ashlee, Hope, Sally, and Jezz. We're all in this craziness together and here for you with support and fun "green" recipes!

Ok, now I'm done!


But before you go check out yesterday's super sweet Apple Green Smoothie!
And/Or check out the Green Smoothie Link Up for countless recipes for your next smoothie and if you have a green smoothie post we'd love for you to link it up too :)

*more on L-Glutamine here and here 
as always, I'm not a doctor or RD!


Linking with Just Because, Tell Me Tuesday, Taste of Tuesday, Anything and Everything, Katherine's Corner