Protein powder recommendation

I wanted to share with you all a fantastic protein powder I discovered on a recent trip to San Diego. It's made by a health company called Beaming - and if you are ever in the San Diego or LA area, you should definitely stop by for some yumminess- organic smoothies, acai bowls, delicious baked goodies, and to-go salads. I ordered their Rockstar smoothie and it blew my mind!! I also ordered a gluten free carrot muffin that was crazy good. And I love that they use homemade sprouted almond milk in their drinks! They also sell some incredible products in their retail corner. 

One of my favorites is their vegan organic superfood protein powder with added greens ($38.50). I'm very picky about my protein powders and I always scrutinize the ingredient list. This one is impressive and tastes awesome!! The protein comes from a blend of brown rice, pea, and hemp. It also contains chia, maca, chlorella, blue green algae, Jerusalem artichoke, and spirulina. It's sweetened with a blend of coconut sugar, lucuma, and stevia and rolls in at only 2 g of sugar per serving. It has a great vanilla-cinnamon flavor that I love in my smoothies and oatmeal. I even sprinkle it on plain yogurt or use it as a base to make protein pancakes. I've tried so many brands out there and this is definitely my favorite (Although I also love Philosophie products - check them out if you haven't heard of them). 

Anyway, my suggestion is to always read your ingredient labels and choose foods you could make at home. If you can't readily find, say, sugar alcohol at your store, you're better off skipping it.

Here's a simple, delicious smoothie recipe for you:

1/2 large ripe banana (frozen) 

1/2 cup frozen mixed berries and cherries (Trader Joe's sells a mix that's Great)

1/2 Apple

2 cups spinach

Handful of baby carrots

1/4 small cucumber 

1 Tbsp flax meal

1 tsp almond butter 

2-3 Tbsp Beaming Superfood Protein +Greens 

1.5 cups liquid (almond/cashew/coconut milk or coconut water or plain water)

Ice

method:

Blend all ingredients in a vitamix or high powered blender. Enjoy!!

You can find out more about their products and order them from www.livebeaming.com 

White Bean, Chicken Sausage and Chard Soup

Our month-long barre3 winter challenge is technically over, but I know so many of us want to keep up the clean eating because we feel so much better!! Hallelujah!

So here is a must-make, easy, and delicious/nutritious soup that can be made in the crock pot, or simmered on the stove. Either way, this soup is so flavorful and filling. It might just become your new favorite meal in a bowl. You can easily modify this soup. Don't do pasta? No problem, skip it. Don't do meat, just skip it. I'd suggest adding another can of white beans to replace of these ingredients, but otherwise, it will be awesome without them. Enjoy!

Mission Delicious Soup: Accomplished

White Bean, chicken sausage, and rainbow chard Soup

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

2 tsp olive oil 

1 yellow onion, diced

3 garlic cloves

1 1/2 cups peeled carrots, cut into rounds

6 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

1/2 cup white wine (can substitute with broth)
1/2 tsp each dried thyme, basil, and rosemary
1 cup whole wheat Israeli cous cous (or barley, farro, or other small pasta/grain of choice) (I think this is totally optional, btw, but if you skip the grains, I'd add an extra can of whole beans)
1 lb. ground chicken sausage, browned/crumbled (all natural, no nitrates; I prefer the house-made varieties from Whole Foods)
2 cans cannelini beans, divided
~ 4 cups swiss/rainbow chard (add more if desired- you can really never have enough)
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
S&P to taste
parmesan for garnish, optional
Method:

In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add garlic and carrots. Saute for about 3 minutes more.

Add the broth, water, and wine to the pot. Add the herbs. Bring to a simmer. Add the pasta or grain of choice to the soup. Simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the sausage. In a blender or food processor, puree 1 can of beans. Set aside.

 Add the cooked sausage crumbles, and one can of whole, drained beans. Follow with the bean puree. Add the chard, and lemon juice and zest, and parsley. Taste for salt and pepper, season as desired. If soup is too thick, dilute with additional broth.

Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan, and a hungry belly.
XO