Quick and easy shakes/smoothies?

[Cunningly Disguised]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I confess I have not had time to read all of these threads in great detail. I took a brief look at the "Shakes and SMoothies" thread and a lot of them look great, but waaaayyyyy too complicated for me at 6 am! :lol: I'm not very astute in the kitchen at the best of times, and that time of the morning is definitely not me at my best. So I could use some ideas for super easy shakes/smoothies that don't have many ingredients, can be whipped up in a basic blender and oh yeah, taste good too. I've got some protein powder (chocolate) that I'd like to find some smoothie/shake recipe for. Many thanks in advance!

Karen

[Seymour Spectacles]

Hi, Karen.

A few simple ideas come to mind.

1. Add your chocolate protein powder to a splash of half-and-half (or cream), some water & ice and instant coffee. Blend and enjoy.

2. Add your protein to a few frozen raspberries, some half-and-half (or cream) and water. Blend and enjoy.

3. Add the protein, some water (and ice if you'd like), peppermint extract (to taste) and some avocado. It'll end up tasting a lot like a mint-chip shake.

Good luck!

[LisaS]

that's why I don't buy chocolate flavor - I'm not a choc + fruit person - those are some good ideas though

with vanilla or plain:
PP, water, frozen berries
PP, water, espresso powder, ice
PP, water, dark cocoa, sweetener, ice
PP, water, espresso, cocoa, sweetener, ice

if you want creamier - add a splash of half-n-half or a spoonful of ricotta cheese or a very small piece of frozen banana (and it needs to be small to fit in your per meal total). Avocado is nice if you happen to have some.

[gitfiddle]

3. Add the protein, some water (and ice if you'd like), peppermint extract (to taste) and some avocado. It'll end up tasting a lot like a mint-chip shake.What an innovative way to add nutrients! I would try it. Gosh, I wonder who was the first brave person to do that! Maybe it was an accident, like the time I added onion powder instead of cinnamon. (I'm not good first thing in the morning, either. :p)

Chocolate is good with coffee or frozen raspberries. I tried freezing leftover coffee and that works too. Cream makes it yummy! Actually, I used peanut butter and cocoa in a shake once.

[Seymour Spectacles]

Adding some pure coconut milk (no-sugar added) can work well with many shakes as well.

Carol,

I first learned about the avocado trick from a customer at a health food store I once worked at. She used to blend an avocado with the Atkins' Protein Powder! It sounded strange back then. But, if the other ingredients have a strong-enough flavor (like chocolate, coffee, berries, etc.) ... you don't even know it's in there (apart from the creaminess it imparts). It's an especially good tip for those that are dairy-intolerant.

[Liliana]

My basic morning protein drink is several raw eggs plus vanilla extract to taste plus some artificial sweetener. I've been mixing saccharin and splenda and stevia. Must blend well to break down the eggs.

Sometimes I add a scoop of protein pow(d)er.
Sometimes I add a TBSP of coconut oil or a couple TBSP of heavy cream or coconut milk (unsweetened).
Sometimes I blend in some berries.
Sometimes all of the above.
Sometimes I add some cocoa powder (unsweeteened) and a few drops peppermint extract.
I've tried adding various flavors diet soda too, but I prefer the richness of the eggs undiluted.

There are lots of ideas for variations on this theme over at lowcarbfriends.com/bbs in the threads headed "Egg Cream".

[Cunningly Disguised]

Many thanks for the ideas! I'll give some of them a whirl (excuse the pun) over teh weekend!

[BryanM]

Carb Countdown milk has only 3 grams of carbs per cup and makes a great creamy shake. Here is the shake I like to make for myself.

1 Cup Carb Countdown Milk
2 Scoops Protein Powder (Vanilla from Vitacost.com, 3 scoops=50g Protein & 1g Carb)
1 Teaspoon instant coffee granules
Carlsons Cod Liver Oil if desired
Splash or two of no calorie, sugar free, chocolate syrup
Favorite artificial sweetener to taste

I use my shaker cup from GNC to make this. As constituted above, the shake has 4 grams of carbs and approximately 40g of protein. You can substitute 1 Tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder for the chocolate syrup and it only adds two net carbs.

[Cunningly Disguised]

Thanks again. I did buy myself a blender (a normal one, not a stick ) and have tried a few smoothies, with mixed success. (pun intended.) I think I might have to get some vanilla protein powder - it will probably give me a lot more versatility.

[Rhyme'n Reason]

Vanilla protein is very versatile. Today I was in a hurry and just put a packet of Crystal Light (Morning Orange), 2 scoops of protein powder, and 8 oz. of water in a shaker. Tasted like an Orange Julius...yummm.

[BryanM]

Vanilla protein is very versatile. Today I was in a hurry and just put a packet of Crystal Light (Morning Orange), 2 scoops of protein powder, and 8 oz. of water in a shaker. Tasted like an Orange Julius...yummm.

Good idea about the Crystal Light. I have had some of the WalMart orange drink, but I never thought about putting that in my shakes.

Vitacost.com stopped selling my favorite Vanilla protein powder, so I am going to try the chocolate. I wonder how chocolate and orange will taste???

[Liliana]

They work well together in Lindt's bars, at least. Let us know!

[Rhyme'n Reason]

Must admit--I got the Crystal Light idea from Amy last fall when I was having a lot of difficulty getting protein in. Without access to a lot of ingredients or a blender while I was at work, shakes seemed too difficult. And a quick correction--the Morning Orange is 4C, not Crystal Light. I love it because it reminds me a lot of orange juice (although it's obviously not the real thing).

[Ammy]

So glad I could help!!:D:nod:

[Seymour Spectacles]

I just tried out a new recipe this morning.

+ about 4 oz of no-sugar-added vanilla almond milk
+ 1 packet of stevia
+ a few dashes of pure cinnamon
+ 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein

Shake it up and enjoy. It has a really smooth, pleasant taste. I've really been enjoying cinnamon a lot lately.

[Omlette]

There are some good non-flavored protein powders too if yo don't want the flavor mixing with your fruit or whatever else you choose to put in there.

[SRenfrow]

Thanks for pointing me to Vitacost.com I found some vanilla whey protein powder there that was a great price and had great reviews. (Also found supplements that my husband takes at good savings.) I've never tried protein-powder shakes but am eager to try them as I need something that will help me get out the door quicker in the morning!