Gina Orlando’s Favorite Protein Fruit Shake/Smoothie

 Protein is made up of amino acids.  Amino acids support your blood sugar and your brain chemistry.  There is a lot of sagging blood sugar and brain chemistry, which then pulls people to eat sugar, other carbs, chocolate, baked goods, junk.  Eating these foods may feel good for a few minutes, but then people feel down, low energy, nervous, hungry, obsessed with thinking about food, then start munching and many gain weight.   

Eating a protein-based breakfast without grain/wheat is a tip that can benefit you.  Many people eat no breakfast, or a carb breakfast composed of high-glycemic carbs and lots of grain-based foods, especially wheat (bread, toast, muffin, bagel, cereal).  This causes some short-term gain (a sugar high) and a big backside loss… loss of energy, control, having an instable mood and an increase in cravings, weight, moodiness, brain fog, exhaustion, sadness, and weight.  And wheat is an opiate brain receptor stimulant… so it can become addictive and add to the slump in your brain chemistry and blood sugar, creating an addictive cycle.  

Making an easy and delicious protein fruit shake is a great way to have a balanced meal of good quality protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats.  This following recipe is balanced.  If you add more fruit, it will begin to get imbalanced.  So start a new breakfast ritual, let go of wheat and other grains for breakfast and kick-start your program to feel better.  It takes about 5 minutes to prepare this delicious smoothie. This is a meal in itself.  You can have it at other times of the day instead, but give it a try for breakfast.  Enjoy! 

Gina Orlando’s Favorite Protein Fruit Shake/Smoothie

 In a blender put:

1 cup of filtered or spring water  (if using all frozen fruit, you may wish to substitute a ¼ cup of boiled water to take the chill off the frozen fruit)

1/2 cup (frozen) organic mango cubes  [bananas are a bit high on the glycemic index]

1/2 cup (frozen) organic berries (strawberries, mixed berries or blueberries)

1 scoop (5 T.) of protein powder (egg white (isn’t gritty), whey or rice protein)  [avoid soy, unless you know you are not allergic to it, and that it works for you.  Soy has been known to diminish thyroid function in some women.]

2-3 tsp. Omega 3 oil, found in health food stores such as flax oil   

You may wish to add:

1-3 tsp. of fiber (finely ground flax, mixed fibers or psyllium or ¼ tsp. apple pectin)  Fiber will make it more gritty, but fiber is necessary for good health.

Optional:  2-3 tsp. of Miracle Greens powder (freeze-dried from veggies and fruits and also contains healthy bacteria called probiotics) or some other green food powder.

Blend.  Adjust taste and texture.  Protein powder will always have a little grit to it.  The fruit and oil smooth it out.  Keep protein, carb and fat in balance.  Be creative! Enjoy!