Whenever we try to swap a food we love with a “healthier” version of it we are opening ourselves up for potential disappointment. A smoothie will never be as good as a milkshake for instance. A smoothie is a smoothie and a milkshake well it’s just Heaven in a cup. Despite this we all attempt to make swaps in the interest of improving our health and perhaps losing a few pounds.
The real deal is that if we’re going to make swaps we have to be realistic on what really works for each one of us. Smoothies are a popular health food item because we can add different things that are good for us in one cup. They are convenient, portable and relatively easy to make. However, some smoothies leave you hungry which can result in eating additional calories you’re trying to avoid. They can taste bad and therefore we don’t stick with them in our daily diet. For us to reap the benefits of smoothies we have to be mindful of what we are putting in that cup otherwise we are just hiding behind the label of healthy without any true value.
If you really don’t like kale then for goodness sake forcing yourself to drink kale smoothies is going to be short lived torture.
Protein Powders
A shake or smoothie with protein powder is an ideal way to work on cleaning up your snacks and even replacing a meal. The protein powder can work to make you feel full and reduce cravings for salt and sugar. The trick is finding a protein powder that is real protein and not just loaded with carbs and sugars.
Like all things, if you can’t pronounce the ingredients then you should be asking if you need to eat it. If that canister of protein powder is full of synthetically made ingredients our bodies are not going to respond by turning that into energy. Our bodies need real proteins from real foods to make energy.
Look for a protein powder with real food ingredients that are high in protein and lean fats. Also check the sugar and carbs percentages to make sure they are reasonable. Sometimes carbs and sugars are added to increase the feeling of fullness but do very little to help us burn energy.
I have found the doTERRA Slim & Sassy Trim Shake mix very good. It’s made from real food and contains essential oils that support a healthy metabolism. It is also much less expensive than a lot of other brands available.
The ingredients are ones that I recognize and can pronounce while the carbs and sugars are very low. Here’s the labels from both the vanilla and chocolate shake mix canisters:
DōTERRA
To use the Slim & Sassy Trim Shake mix, simply add 1 cup of milk (skim, almond coconut, etc.) and 1 scoop of the shake mix. You can also use water and crushed ice in lieu of the milk.
The mix contains essential oils like grapefruit and cinnamon that can help curb cravings and support your work towards achieving health and losing weight.
Next Level Shakes and Smoothies
What’s great about the doTERRA Slim & Sassy Trim Shake mix is you can use it in a multitude of ways beyond just a traditional shake. I personally love mixing a scoop of the mix with Greek yogurt and fruit. It takes like a pudding and I can use it as a dessert in the evening in place of the cookies and ice cream my family loves.
In terms of using this protein mix with shakes and smoothies here are some fun things to try:
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons chocolate powdered peanut butter to the shake mix for extra protein and a fun peanut butter taste
Blend with strawberries, mangoes or your favorite fruits
Add in kale, apples and bananas for the “green shake”
Another option is to add in a scoop of the doTERRA TerraGreens. This is a complete mix of natural whole fruits and vegetables. It’s a great way to sneak in the needed level of fruits and veggies we all need every day and not have to rely on salads all the time.
One scoop in your shake or smoothie and you’ve just saved a bunch of chopping, blending and green stuff in your teeth. I think this tastes a lot like apples so it’s not strange at all. It works well if you use the Slim & Sassy Trim Shake Mix with water or milk as well.
The thing I actually love that does actually seem like a milkshake is to take the chocolate Slim & Sassy Trim Shake mix (1 scoop), 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon PB2 powdered peanut butter and 1 scoop Terra Greens and mix them together. It’s like a chocolate peanut butter milkshake! It’s thick, creamy and if you stick it in the freezer for a couple minutes it’s also super cold just like an ice cream milkshake.
Interested in more?
Smoothies and shakes don’t have to taste bad or leave you hungry! Being healthy and losing weight doesn’t have to be torture!
If you have questions about the products I describe in this post please reach out. I’m happy to answer any questions and help you get the information you need to make a good decision for yourself.
amyk@dragonspitapothecary.com
The doTERRA wholesale account gives you access to discounted pricing on all doTERRA oils and natural products including the Slim & Sassy Trim Shake mix and TerraGreens. Get your account today and start shaking!
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