BLEND THIS:

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 orange
• ¼ orange peel
• 1 tbsp walnuts
• 2 tbsp flaxseed meal
• 1 cup of water
• ½ cup orange juice
• 3 ice cubes

Nutritional Info: 399 calories, 32 g protein, 14 g fat, 39 g carbs

By Lisa Wright, CFT

Ingredients: 

*1½ cups coconut water
1 T lemon juice
½ C plain low-fat yogurt, preferably Greek-style
1 C packed baby spinach
2 T unsalted almonds
1 T honey
½ t almond extract
⅔ C frozen blueberries

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender in the order listed, and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds.

Servings: one

Nutrition information:

Per serving: 307 calories; 15 g protein; 7 g fat (2 g saturated); 51 g carbs, 10 g fiber; 405 milligrams

FYI:  Have you ever used coconut water in your smoothies?  Here are some great facts on coconut water:

*Naturally refreshing, coconut water has a sweet, nutty taste. It contains easily digested carbohydrate in the form of sugar and electrolytes. Not to be confused with high-fat coconut milk or oil, coconut water is a clear liquid in the fruit’s center that is tapped from young, green coconuts.  It has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium than a sports drink. Ounce per ounce, most unflavored coconut water contains 5.45 calories, 1.3 grams sugar, 61 milligrams (mg) of potassium, and 5.45 mg of sodium compared to Gatorade, which has 6.25 calories, 1.75 grams of sugar, 3.75 mg of potassium, and 13.75 mg of sodium.