Strawberry Basil Smoothie + Green Blender Review [Part 1]

Okay, first off, yep that's a spinach leaf for garnish instead of basil, but hey - I needed a sprig of green for the pics and didn't think to save a basil leaf until it was too late.  What can ya do?  =P Second, smoothies!  That exclamation point is sincere, but let me tell you, I'm not really a do-it-yourself-er when it comes to smoothies.  Sure, I like the occasional protein shake or fruit smoothie at home, but I don't really make that many smoothies for myself on a regular basis.  I never know what to put in them, and I also don't want to buy a tremendous amount of ingredients only to have them go bad a week later because I shoved them in the fridge drawer and forgot about them (please tell me that happens to you too...?).  Well, insert Green Blender.

Green Blender is a weekly smoothie delivery service that provides you with all the produce, vegetables, and inclusions to make 5 different smoothies per week.  Most of the ingredients are labeled (see picture below) and come in pre-portioned baggies or containers, complete with a little recipe guide for each one.  For my review, I'll be posting about each smoothie individually, and today's smoothie is Strawberry Basil.  As you can see from the ingredients below, there are way more ingredients in this one than just strawberries, basil, and ice.  Walnuts added in some healthy fats and the goji berries (which I've never actually seen in person before!) are rich in beta-carotene.  The pineapple and tomatoes added a bit more tartness, too.

The smoothie was DELICIOUS and super easy to make.  Seriously, Green Blender takes all the guess work out of making a smoothie.  Since everything is pre-portioned for you, all you do (after washing the produce) is place it all in a blender, add in the right amount of liquid and ice, and bam!  Smoothie.  All the ingredients for this one fit nicely in my single-serve blender, too, which is handy for whipping up a quick snack and taking it on the go.  Keep reading for the recipe and a special DISCOUNT on Green Blender deliveries for blog readers!

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Strawberry Basil Smoothie Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/2 oz grape tomatoes
• 3 oz strawberries (about 5-6 small ones)
• 4 oz pineapple chunks
• 5 basil leaves
• 2 Tbsp goji berries
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup ice

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Wash and prepare all fresh produce
• Combine all ingredients in blender, add water and ice, and blend on high until smooth.  (Note: Green Blender recommends blending liquids and greens together for 1 minute, then adding remaining ingredients and blending until smooth.  I just combined everything in the order listed, which worked fine as well.)
• Enjoy!

Special DISCOUNT for blog readers!

Yep, that's right!  You guys are all getting a 20% discount on Green Blender orders using this link, or the code INFITNESS at checkout.  A week of Green Blender will run you $49, so I'm super pumped to give you this discount (that's a free smoothie right there!).  I think Green Blender is a pretty awesome service, especially for people like me who want to jump on the smoothie bandwagon, but don't have the time or recipe creation abilities to do so.  I hope you take advantage of it and stay tuned for 4 more delicious smoothie recipes in the coming weeks!

Readers: chat with me!  Are you on the smoothie (or smoothie bowl) bandwagon?  What are your favorite combinations?  Have you ever heard of Green Blender?  Have you ever tried a food delivery service like this before?  If not, is it something that interests you?

Disclosure: I was gifted a smoothie box from Green Blender to review here on the blog.  All opinions (as always!) are my own.

5 Healthy Swaps to Get You Ready for Summer

The weather is getting warmer!  (Finally, it's almost May...)  Which means that summer is right around the corner.  Check in with yourself.  Now that the year is almost a third of the way through, how are your healthy habits stacking up against what you vowed to do at the beginning of the year?  If you've stuck with your plan and are making this year THE year, props. to. you.  Seriously.  It's not easy!  But if you've gotten off track, or need a little boost, take this as a reminder to get back in the groove.  If you need a push in the right direction, here are 5 super simple healthy swaps you can make RIGHT NOW to jump start your healthy living and get you ready for summer.

1 | Juice for Water

Warmer weather calls for even more hydration than the colder months.  It also means that juices of all kinds are stocked to the max at grocery stores and restaurants (think lemonade, cranberry juice, and fruit punch).  Most of these juices have TONS of added sugar, which can lead to dehydration among many other health hazards, so swap out the sugary sips for a nice glass of H2O.  If you're one for soda in the summer, grab a seltzer instead - you still get the carbonation with no additional calories.

2 | Added Sugar for Fruit Infusions

I know this is a popular one, but it's for good reason!  Add some lemon, watermelon (so good), strawberries, or limes to your water for a flavor boost.  Like sweetened iced tea?  Try adding some fruit to that as well!  Strawberries in black iced tea are delicious!  Cut back on the added sugar in your drinks, and you might just feel less bloated and a bit more refreshed.  Who doesn't want that in the summer?

3 | Fried for Baked (or Grilled)

Alright, I know you know fried foods aren't great for you.  But I'm not just talking about the drive-thru french fries or bucket of fried chicken.  I'm talking more along the lines of the potato chips at backyard barbecues, or the fish 'n' chips at the boathouse.  Picnics, outdoor parties, waterfront restaurants, you name it, you're bound to find some type of fried food at these places.  When you encounter them, try to opt for the baked version.  Baked chips are pretty delicious, and they definitely satisfy the salt craving.  In my opinion, baked potato wedges are just as good as fries (as long as you get them super crispy!).  If fried chicken or fish is what's on the menu, ask for it grilled instead.  Just about every restaurant can accommodate that request.

4 | Mayo for Greek Yogurt

Also common among the backyard parties and family gatherings is your classic potato or egg salad.  These are usually made with tons and tons of mayonnaise to get that creamy consistency.  A great substitution for mayo is greek yogurt.  You get a lot more added protein which will keep you satiated longer, and if you opt for the nonfat version, you'll be cutting the large amount of fat from the mayo entirely.  Another great option for smaller mayo substitutions is avocado.  Talk about an added flavor punch and lots of healthy fats!

5 | Indoors for Outdoors

This one is my favorite of the 5 swaps (maybe in addition to the fruit-infused water).  Everyone loves being outside in the summer, but a lot of us work inside during the day.  If you can, try to take a walk outside during your day, or make it a point to get some fresh air on a break.  The warm sunshine will do wonders for your mood, and there's nothing like a nice walk outside to reinvigorate your spirits.  The activity will do wonders for your productivity as well.  And hey, with the way this spring has been lately (at least in the northeast), we have to take advantage of all the sun (and warmth) we can get!

Readers: chat with me!  What healthy swaps are you making right now?  Any that are listed here?  What would you add to this list?  Are you excited for summer?  How have you been staying active?

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Ambronite Dessert Smoothie

Chocolate + peanut butter = dessert made in heaven (right?!  Who's with me?).  A lot of dessert smoothies and chocolate-PB combos are chock full of sugar, though, and don't pack much of a nutritional punch.  Enter this Ambronite Dessert Smoothie.  Ambronite is a meal replacement  powder that I've recently discovered and have been loving as an addition to shakes and smoothies.  (Read my first review here, and second Ambronite smoothie bowl recipe here.)  

This smoothie is full of nutritious and delicious ingredients like chocolate almond milk, banana, greek yogurt, and the Ambronite powder.  It's high in protein, fiber, and potassium, low in sugar, and has no artificial sweeteners.  And for anyone out there following a gluten-free diet, it's a perfect dessert for you!  Keep reading for the recipe, and get ready for drinkable dessert heaven. 

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Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Ambronite Dessert Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 frozen banana, peeled and cut into segments (for easier blending)
• 1/2 packet Ambronite
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 5.3-oz vanilla greek yogurt (I'm a huge fan of Dannon Oikos Triple Zero - much less sugar than other brands)
• 2 spoonfuls peanut butter (I used Teddie Smooth unsalted - obsessed!)
• 1 cup dark chocolate almond milk
• 4 ice cubes

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Combine all ingredients in blender in order listed above
• Blend on high ("smoothie" setting if you have one) until smooth and ice cubes are crushed
• Pour into glass and top with shaved dark chocolate or peanut butter swirl
• Enjoy!
• Note: this recipe makes about 2 large servings.  If you have extra, store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to a day (after a day, it starts solidifying and isn't as smooth).

Plus a reader discount on Ambronite orders!

Use code INFITINHEALTH10 to get 10% off all orders of Ambronite!  That's a free packet of the good stuff right there.  Enjoy!

Readers: chat with me!  Are you a huge fan of the peanut butter and chocolate combo?  Do you make dessert smoothies often?  What ingredients do you use?  What are some of your favorite healthy desserts?