5 minute GREEN BREAKFAST smoothie (that tastes like peanut butter heaven)

COMPLETE GREEN BREAKFAST in a smoothie

(green smoothie that tastes like peanut butter)

THIS SMOOTHIE SATISFIES

2 FRUIT SERVINGS

1 VEGETABLE SERVING

START YOUR DAY RIGHT with this nutritional powerhouse

I love smoothies....and I love that they are so versatile, easy to carry around with you, and are chock full of nutrition. I contemplated buying one of those frozen Jamba Juice bags in the freezer aisle at Target the other day---you know, the kind where all you have to add is milk? Comes with everything you need.

I looked at the bag...it was a little over $5, and can only be used for 2 smoothies. Hmmmm. Not sure about this. Then I read the ingredients....basically just a lot of frozen fruits, I thought to myself.

Why can't I do this on my own instead?

Ever since then I've experimented with many different kinds of smoothies, from Avocado with Coconut Water to Banana Mangoes with Turmeric, and everything in between fruits, nuts and spices. It is easy to combine frozen fruits, throw in some juice, and call it a smoothie. Everyone can do that.

However, making a GREEN smoothie, the kind that contains your daily recommended dose of VEGGIES, is harder. Hard to make that taste yummy and delicious, that is. 

That is, until I discovered this Spinach Green breakfast smoothie:

Spinach smoothies are incredibly easy to make, and takes so little time. Here's the basic formula: 

2 cups spinach

1 really ripe banana

1-2 tablespoon peanut butter 

1 cup coconut water (or any nut milk, such as almond)

PLUS

1 cup fruit (any fruit)

With that basic formula in mind, I played around with the recipe, and came up with the perfect combination that is chock full of nutrition. Don't be intimidated by the amount of spinach in this recipe. The peanut butter (or almond butter) overwhelms the flavor of the spinach --and unlike kale, spinach actually blends very well and does not leave chalky residue on your tongue. Besides looking green, you'll never know there was spinach in this smoothie.

 

I choose avocado as my fruit in this basic spinach smoothie because avocados are high in fiber, omegas, fat (the good kind), and it is very smooth. Avocados contain nearly 20 vitamins and minerals in each serving, including potassium, lutein, folate, and B vitamins. They are low in sugar, high in fiber, and high in (good) fat

It's also green, so this smoothie comes out a nice green color and doesn't look intimidating. If I use strawberries or other fruits it will still taste great, but the green and red will yield a smoothie that is brownish in color---not very appetizing. You want to choose an avocado that is firm, but has some give when pressed gently.

Bananas are a nutritional powerhouse that is the most underrated fruit of all time. Its potassium and excellent fiber content makes it a great breakfast choice. For smoothies, choose a banana that is already started to brown, and has a very fragrant smell to it. These bananas are at their peak sweetness.

You will never need sugar or any sugar substitute when you use brown-spotted bananas as a sweetener for any fruit smoothie. Even when they are a bit soggy and brownish when peeled, I still use them (all the time). 

LIVING BUSY TIP: I keep bananas in the house all the time for a quick pre-workout snack, or just a healthy snack. When they are really ripe and about to go bad, I cut them into slices, put them in a zip lock bag, and keep them in the freezer. These are the ones I use for smoothies I make every single day. With frozen banana slices, you'll never need ice, or sweeteners to any smoothie, ever again.

Here is an interesting article on natural cures you can use with bananas...such as rubbing the inside of a peel to your bag or shoe and rub with dry cloth for a quick shine!

INGREDIENTS 

 1/2 ripe avocado

1 large ripe banana

1 cup coconut water

2 cup raw spinach

2 tablespoons peanut butter

protein powder (optional)

DIRECTIONS: 

Blend coconut water with the spinach first, until smooth.

Add the remaining ingredients.

Blend well.

Enjoy

notes:

May substitute peanut butter for almond butter, to reduce the nutty flavor.

May also substitute coconut water for almond milk, or any other nut milk, for a rich creamy taste.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

25 smoothies made with just 3 ingredients 

Avocado smoothie with coconut water

Mango banana smoothie

Pancakes, with 5 ingredients

CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD FOR OTHER SMOOTHIE RECIPES:

Follow Living Busy with Janine's board super smoothies: smoothie finds that combine a ton of SUPERFOODS on Pinterest.

flourless 4 ingredient GLUTEN FREE chocolate chip cookie

FLOURLESS 4-INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

(Also naturally gluten-free)

 

We all love chocolate chip cookies, but baking them can sometimes be such a hassle, with so many ingredients and flour to measure out. So I set out to find a recipe that is easy, quick, and still healthy. 

For all us busy moms and supermoms out there, and all the professionals who feel like there needs to be 25 hours in a day, this super fast recipe is the answer to your sweet cravings (without taking up too much of your time).

 A chocolate chip cookie recipe that is as delicious as it is easy! 

Easy, 4-ingredients you probably already have in your pantry: eggs, peanut butter (or any other butter such as almond), sugar, and chocolate chips. YUP. that's it. 

No baking powder, no flour, no vanilla extract, none of those extras. 

Just bake for ten minutes at 350. How easier can this get?

Unlike some of the other untraditional recipes that yields cookies that do not hold together well, these actually do. I accidentally made them a little bit too big, and they still held together perfectly, just like store-bought. It came out soft and chewy (but still dense). The kids also love them. 

This is right before I put it in the oven. I added some coconut flakes (because I put that stuff on everything!). Being made with peanut butter (or almond butter), it WILL spread out, so put small pieces on the baking tray (just a tad bigger than a half-dollar).

 Let cook for about 10 minutes after coming out of the oven before removing them from the cookie sheet. Baking takes a total of about 10-12 minutes, but varies with each oven. To know they are done, the bottom should be golden brown.  

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)

1 large egg

1/3 cup chocolate chip

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F.

2. Put the peanut butter in a large mixing bowl and add the sugar little by little. Mix well, then add the egg, and the chocolate chip last.

3. Scoop a heaping teaspoonsful onto a cookie sheet, gently tap to flatten out. Top with a few more chocolate chips if desired onto the batter.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes

5. Let cool for 10 minutes on a cooling wire rack.

OTHER SUPERFAST DELICIOUS RECIPES:

Avocado smoothie (perfect breakfast replacement)

25 powerhouse smoothies with just 3 ingredients each

7 snacks to bring with you as a pre or post workout snack

Have healthy snacks delivered to you (and click on link to get a free box)

Baking and cooking substitutes to to make your cooking healthier

CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD FOR OTHER GLUTEN-FREE BAKED GOODIES

Follow Living Busy with Janine's board Gluten free baked goods dessert treats on Pinterest.

coconut chocolate chip peanut butter protein bars

NO BAKE Protein Bar with Chocolate Chips and Coconut

I recently tried to make my own protein bars since most of the ones found at the store does not satisfy in some way...they're not tasty enough, not enough protein, too many ingredients, too many chemicals I cannot pronounce, not enough fiber...etc. I had to make myself one. this excellent no bake protein bar is made with decadent ingredients such as dark chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and healthy nutritious oatmeal. 

 

In my search for a healthy protein bar I actually spent two hours one time at Whole Foods, reading through every single label that was there (mainly paying attention to the list of ingredients and their respective order on the list, since I am a health freak and cares about what I put in my body). Boy are there are lot of different meal-replacement and snack bars at Whole Foods! It's half an entire aisle!

Frustrating is the least of it. I walked out of Whole Foods with nothing.

Then I found Vega One bars, and I love them, loved them so much I bought twenty boxes of them when I once caught them on clearance at TJ Max. 

It satisfied me for a while, but those things aren't on clearance anymore, they are actually $2.99 each at Whole Foods! There's gotta be a less expensive way to eat healthy at the gym!

So I experimented with many protein bars, made a lot of batches that now are either in the trash, or somehow I managed to swallow it down, with the help of my favorite iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts, of course.

and then I found this recipe for some chocolate chip peanut butter protein bars that boasts low carb, high protein, and delicious taste. I made a few tweaks after experimenting it a few times, and now it's just perfect! 

   

ingredients: 

1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
3 tbsp honey
11/2 cup whey protein powder
2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chocolate chip
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

DIRECTIONS: 

1. On medium heat, combine milk, peanut butter and honey. Stir until combined. Let sit for a few minutes (otherwise the chocolate chips will melt)
2. Add protein powder, oats, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut
3. Pat onto a 8x8 pan (lightly coat with coconut oil spray, or simply dad a napkin with some coconut oil and smear it onto the pan first, for easy removal later)
4. Let cool in refrigerator for about an hour

5. Cut into 8 bars and wrap with plastic. Use for up to 2 weeks.

NOTES:

may use a 9x13 pan for thinner bars (a 8x8 pan yield about 1-inch thick bars)
may substitute peanut butter for any nut butter such as almond

use skim milk to cut out calories and fat
 

 

RELATED ARTICLES:

4-INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES  

7 high-protein pancake recipes (5 ingredients or less)  

7 metabolism boosting workout snacks  

Healthy substitutes for cooking and baking

  CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD FOR OTHER SUPER FAST RECIPES 

Visit Living Busy with Janine's profile on Pinterest.

5 killer apps (free) to give you MORE TIME TO SPARE

5 TOP FREE APPS that will help you save time each day, so that you have more time, to worry about the things that matter.

Technology has evolved each day, and it has helped us increase our efficiency tremendously. 

You just have to know where to look. With the right apps, you will allow robots to do work for you (for free), and give you more time to spare each day....to do the things that matter the most. 

Here, a look at some of the best out there, the top 5 free apps that will make your life a whole lot easier.

1. DRIVE LIKE YOU OWN TOWN

Waze is a GPS app that gives you an ETA to your destination based on current traffic conditions based on drivers LIKE YOU. 

With over 10 million downloads and a 4.6 out of 5 star rating, it will re-direct you to routes with less traffic, so you can get to wherever it is you need to go, earlier than a traditional GPS. 

  Also as user-reported police cars, detours, roadblocks, construction areas, accidents, etc. . .  

Also connects to your social media and alerts you when your friends are also on the road (and let you tap to say Hello!)


  2. NEXT! 

Mailbox is an app that allows you to process large numbers of emails quickly and get you back to "inbox: Zero" in one swoop. 

With intuitive swiping and tapping gestures for archiving, deleting, and saving messages (and setting reminders). 

  Mailbox lets you fly through hundreds of emails in mere minutes. Less time reading/deleting/labeling emails: more time for Candy Crush!


  3. CHECK, CHECK, AND....CHECK

Create a to-do list.  Sure, you claim you remember what needs to be done and you can get them done so you don't need a to-do list. But are you as productive and effective as you can actually be?

   Say you have 20 things to do on your list, when it's written in clear writing, you'll see things that can be clustered together, things that can be done more effectively and efficiently when done in a certain order. 

Download Tasks N Todos (free) , an app that syncs with your Google calendar. 

  Watch this tutorial on Google calendar and see how you can benefit from this free service. 

  Wunderlist is also a popular alternative.


  4. OUTSOURCE YOUR LABOR 

Have you ever figured out how much one hour of your time is worth? How much you get paid in one hour to do what you to best? 

Once you have that number, pay someone else LESS money to do other things in your life--cook, clean, mow the lawn, etc. 

Download an app like TaskRabbit, which instantly connects you with people in your area willing to clean your house, deliver packages, or even do other small home projects (clean out the attic or basement!) for a small price. 


5. AUTOMATICALLY BACKUP

Who has time to sit next to a computer with the USB cord and upload all photos to the web from your phone? Have it done automatically!

 I didn't do this, and the first time I lost my cell phone, I realized that all memories of the birthing of my firstborn....was gone...forever. 

  Ever since then I always made sure I have an automatic backup in place so precious moments such as those will never again be lost. 

If you have an Android, sign in with a Google account and set your phone to automatically upload photos to your Google drive. 

  With 15 GB of free space, it's hard to fill up all that space, even if you record videos of your kids every single day. 

  Google photos also links to Picasa, a photo storage space that automatically works with photo prints companies such as Shutterfly. Now you can make cards, prints, albums, from photos you snapped from your phone. And you never had to hit "upload" once.

  OTHER WAYS TO LET TECHNOLOGY DO THE WORK FOR YOU:

  GOOGLE CALENDAR: things you didn't know you could do with this free service  

  SAVE time in the kitchen: let others do the work for you

  Have snacks delivered to your door (or workplace), and CLICK to get a free box

  GOOGLE Chrome: why Internet Explorer, Safari, and Mozilla is a complete waste of your time

7 HIGH PROTEIN quick easy PANCAKE recipes (with no weird flour) just the normal stuff

HIGH PROTEIN PANCAKE RECIPES

CRUNCHED for time, but still desire a high-protein nutritious home-made breakfast? 

check out some of these recipes for high-protein pancakes. most are 4-5 ingredients only. Save time, make a batch and keep in freezer. They can go straight from the freezer into your toaster, no need to thaw them first.

any of these recipes can be  made into a waffle. Make sure you visit pancake #7: there is a 2-ingredient recipe to make a sweet sauce for these pancakes....a sauce so devilish you won't need maple syrup (say bye-bye to unwanted carbs!)

1. FROM photo/recipe from Fitnessista's high-protein pancakes

Made from just 5 ingredients, you can't go wrong with this recipe, quick and easy. Throw them in the freezer and pop in toaster whenever desired! I love that 6 scoops of protein are used and mixed in with the flour with some almond milk, and the usual ingredients, no hard-to-find flour, no weird flour needed. 



2. PIX/RECIPE from Muscle  and Fitness

HUNGRY MAN'S recipe: warning: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE, and as the name suggest....made for a hungry man.  This recipe contains over 500 calories, excellent for all those trying to gain weight and bulk up. 

Want to cut down on the calories? Eat half the portion and these pancakes are just as delish.

Made from just 2 scoops of protein, this recipe also calls for 5 egg whites and some coconut oil. A complete nutritious breakfast with 48g protein. Add bananas and blueberries to complete this meal.


3. pix/recipe from PaleoOMG , flour-less and Paleo

this FLOURLESS pancake recipe is made from 1/2 cup protein powder mixed in with 2 mashed bananas, a couple eggs, and some butter. Made with just 4 ingredients, this recipe definitely makes the list of super fast snacks and breakfast.



4. pix/recipe from FANNETASTIC'S Gluten-free high-protein pancakes

GLUTEN-FREE: another 4-ingredient flourless recipe calling only for bananas, eggs, ground flaxseed, and optional vanilla extract. Choose a really sweet ripened banana (the kind that has brown spots), to really sweeten this recipe.

5. pix/recipe from Dashing Dish

For 14 grams of proteins at only 103 calories (for 4 pancakes!) you can't go wrong with this pumpkin recipe. And just in time for October!



6. pix/recipe from WORKOWT magazine

High protein pancakes made from protein powder and 5 egg whites. Add peanut butter for extra protein and extra umph in your pancakes. Created with the hungry man in mind. 

7. pix/recipe from FITSUGAR

The sauce is made with a mashed banana and vanilla low-fat Greek yogurt...add this to any recipe above for extra protein. Made with whole wheat flour and some protein powder, these pancakes are high in protein, and the sauce made maple syrup suddenly optional.

CHECK OUT other high-protein breakfast/snack items on my Pinterest:

Follow Living Busy with Janine's board high-protein breakfast/workout recipes on Pinterest.

25 SMOOTHIES MADE WITH JUST 3 INGREDIENTS ONLY: high-protein

25 SUPERCHARGED smoothies 

3 ingredients 

1. combine 3 ingredients

2. throw in a few ice cubes

3. blend on high speed

ENJOY!

CHOCOLATE LOVER'S DREAM

1. PROTEIN FROSTY:  1 cup milk of choice, 2 scoops chocolate protein powder, 1/2 frozen banana

2. MOCHA MADNESS: 1/2 cup of milk of choice, 2 scoops chocolate protein powder, 1/2 cup cold brew coffee or chilled strong coffee

3. BLACK FOREST CAKE: 1 cup almond milk, 2 scoops chocolate protein powder, 1 cup frozen dark sweet cherries

4. CHOCOLATE CHIA: 1 cup chocolate milk, 2 tbsp chia seeds, 1/2 frozen banana

5. BANANA BONANZA: 1/2 cup low-fat greek yogurt, 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1/2 frozen banana

NUTS ABOUT YOU

6. CHOCOLATE PB BLITZ: 1 cup milk of choice, 2 tbsp peanut butter, 2 scoops chocolate protein powder

7. BLUEBERRY ALMOND JOY: 1/2 cup milk of choice, 1 tbsp almond butter, 3/4 cup blueberries

8. PEANUTTY 'NANER: 1 cup milk of choice, 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1/2 frozen banana

9. ALMOND BUTTER BOMB: 1 cup almond milk, 1 tbsp almond butter, 1 frozen banana

10. SUN BUTTER SURPRISE: 1 cup milk of choice, 2 tbsp sun butter, 1 cup frozen raspberries

THAT'S SO FRUITY

11. OATMEAL BANANA BOAT: 2 tbsp rolled oats, 1/2 cup of milk of choice, 1 frozen banana

12. ORANGE CREAMSICLE: 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup orange juice

13. MIGHTY MANGO: 1 cup frozen chunks, 2 tbsp low-fat Greek yogurt, 1/4 tsp cinnamon . (have more time? try this MANGO banana smoothie spiced with turmeric)

14. KEY LIME PIE: 1 frozen banana, 1 cup milk of choice, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

15. PINA COLADA: 3/4 cup frozen pineapple, 3/4 cup coconut milk, 1/2 frozen banana

BERRY BERRY SMOOTHIES

16. HYDRATION STATION: 1 cup frozen blueberries, 1 cup frozen raspberries, 2 cups cubed watermelon

17. RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE: 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup milk of choice

18. COCO-BERRY BLEND:  1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup milk of choice, 1/2 cup shredded coconut

19. BERRY GRAPETASTIC: 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1 cup frozen grapes, 1/2 cup coconut water

20. STRAWBERRY SUNRISE: 1 frozen banana, 10 frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup milk of choice

GREEN SMOOTHIES

21. SPINACH, YO! 1/2 cup vanilla low-fat Greek yogurt, 1 cup spinach, 1/2 frozen banana

22. GIVE 'EM KALE: 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 cup coconut water, 1/2 cup frozen kale (click here for more KALE recipes)

23. SWEET GREENS: 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1 cup milk of choice, 1/2 cup kale or spinach

24. TROPICAL TWIST: 3/4 cup frozen pineapple, 1 cup coconut, 1 cup spinach

25. AVOCADO DELIGHT: 1/2 medium avocado, 1 frozen banana, 1 cup milk of choice. (if you have more time, check out this other avocado smoothie made with coconut milk)

OPTIONAL: 

• add 2 tbsp chia seeds for 5 grams of protein
• add 1/2 cup silken tofu for 4 grams protein
• add 1/2 cup for 10 grams protein
• add 1 tbsp peanut butter for 4 grams protein
• add protein powder of choice (around 16-24 grams of protein in most protein powders). 

check out my Pinterest board for other SUPERFOOD smoothies

Follow Living Busy with Janine's board super smoothies: smoothie finds that combine a ton of SUPERFOODS on Pinterest.

DIY 2 minute hair tutorial: SIDE hair pig tail with knots (that looks like braids but no braiding!)

2 MINUTE DIY HAIR TUTORIAL:

SIDE PIG TAIL WITH [REALLY COOL] KNOTS

no braiding required!

So we read all the time about how you should wrap a strand of your hair around your ponytail and secure with bobby pins. Well, I have very thick hair that doesn't like to obey the bobby pin...bobby pins can't hold my hair down very well...maybe just a tiny little section, if that.

Anyway this hairstyle is sort of like that, except you do something alot cooler, and you secure the style with a tiny elastic, which holds my thick Asian hair so much better anyway.

This style, like all other styles I present on my blog, takes 2 minutes to do....watch the video, and be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel.