ELEVATED STATE SMOOTHIE

This is my new morning smoothie obsession…Looks like London Fog, right? Speaking of fog, I’ve been suffering from serious brain fog lately. Whether it’s due to lack of sleep, hormones, or mom-life —this smoothie has been helping me out in a major way. It’s functional, delicious, and keeps me sharp (and full) on my most active days when I film multiple workouts.

It’s not only delicious but it’s super nutritious: Blueberries and spinach provide a powerful antioxidant boost, MCT is a supplement that I often add to my smoothies and salads to keep me satiated. Flaxseeds contains lignans, which are chemical compounds that carry antioxidants and enzymes. Flax is also a good source of a type of soluble fiber and it provides Omega-6 fatty acids and many essential minerals. Nutty hemp seeds are also packed with easily digestible proteins and contain all 10 essential amino acids, putting it among the rare plant-based foods that provide complete protein. Hemp seeds are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as a specific omega-6 fatty acid (GLA) not found in any other food. Hemp seeds are high in fiber, rich in minerals and high in protein and unlike flaxseeds, and you don’t need to grind them to reap their benefits. 

Ingredients: 
1 serving protein powder (I use Moon Juice)
1.5 cup H2O
1 tablespoon MCT oil 
1 tbsp hemp hearts
1 tbsp ground flax seeds 
Handful of spinach 
Handful of blueberries

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend.

Light my fire

This smoothie is pure skin food (major vitamin-c), is a great immune-booster, and doesn't taste at all like baby food.  Despite its name, the sweet potato doesn't belong to the same family as the potato.  Potatoes are tubers, and sweet potatoes are roots.  Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin A and C, fiber, potassium, and iron, and are a fresh, low-calorie addition to your smoothie blend.

if you're in a rush, there's no need to bake the sweeties, first.  You can grate raw sweet potatoes for easier blending, but the frozen chunks make it super simple to toss directly into the blender and help keep the whole thing cold.   

Light My Fire
1/2 c. unsweetened almond milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
1/2 c. filtered h20
1/2 c. frozen sweet potato (baked then frozen)
1/4 avocado
juice of 1-2 lg. lemons
1" knob ginger
1" knob turmeric
1/2 tbsp. flaxseed meal
Optional: pinch of cayenne, black pepper

Studio LB Mochachino

Craving a different kind of buzz?  Get your greens, caffeine and protein all in one cup.  It's delish, and totally developing a cult following here at Studio LB.  

LB's Mochachino
1/4 unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 cup coffee (we love cold brew)
heaping handful of spinach  
1/2 frozen banana
1/4 avocado
10 almonds
1 tbsp. cacao
1/2 date, pitted
pinch of cinnamon + cayenne
ice

MY SMOOTHIE STORY

I've always believed that diet is 80-90% of the fitness equation.  So much so, that I started a to-go healthy foods company (Lithe Foods) so that my clients could eat well and really feed their results. 

We sold lean, local and seasonal fare out of our fitness studios. I developed many recipes, did a lot of R & D, worked with great chefs, a nutritionist, and I also drank a shit-ton of cold-pressed juice.  For five years, juice was a part of my everyday (multiple times a day).  I loved it and truly believed in the power of juicing.  And, I still do.  But, everything in moderation, right? 

For many reasons (beyond juice) my body was very different back then.  And I weighed a lot more than I do now.  I can only imagine how many calories I was drinking per week!  I'm not at all anti-juice, but I strongly believe that the right vegetable blends are absolutely key.  Now, for me, low sugar, vegetable-based smoothies are what I'm drinking everyday for health.  

Lauren's Morning Matcha

Guys, swap your coffee for matcha AND get your greens in all before 9AM.  This good mood smoothie is light, minty-fresh, rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins.  I love that it's packed with antioxidants (catechains), boots metabolism and burns calories. 

Craving a different kind of buzz?  Matcha contains caffeine and works just like coffee, however, matcha contains a different type of caffeine unlike regular coffee. This unique form of caffeine is called “theophylline” that increases endurance and energy levels without causing any side effects. Drinking matcha tea enables the slow release of “theophylline” thereby maintaining hormonal levels and supporting the function of adrenal glands. 

Lauren's Morning Matcha
1 cup unsweetened milk of choice (we love almond)
1/2 frozen banana
1.5 handfuls of spinach
1 sm. cucumber
5-10 mint leaves
1/2 - 1" knob of ginger
1 tbsp matcha powder
Ice

Blend well and drink up!  Toppings count and make you feel you're eating a little something, too.  I love this one with just a bit of cacao nibs.  

LB's Salted Caramel Smoothie

Craving something sweet?  This one will transport you straight to halvah heaven in a much healthier way.  This version of a salted caramel packs a protein punch and has less than 20g of sugar.   It tastes like a milkshake, is great as a healthy snack or dessert and is the perfect option for those with nut allergies.   

LB's Salted Caramel
1 c. coconut milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)  
1/4 avocado
2 tbsp tahini
1 date, pitted
1/4 tsp. sea salt
pinch of cardamom + ice

Blend until smooth and top with a pinch of sea salt.  Swoon!