Tuesday Tips: Protein!

Happy Tuesday, folks!

Yesterday started off with a piece of sourdough bread from the Varmint Half Marathon goodies tent! It. Is. Heavenly.

Lynny and I needed to head out pretty quickly once she woke up, Aaron is back to nights. We headed out to get me a coffee.... duh

And then I was planning on taking Lynny to the park. She saw Burger King and expressed her deep desire for their nuggets, so we got lunch first. That deep nugget desire was actually a deep playground desire, but she ate her lunch completely just to play, so I was the real winner ;)

After lunch we headed straight to the park, well, apparently I went to the baby one first and was promptly told to go back to the "big girl playground".

She is fearless.

We came home to wake Daddy up and helped him do a few things outside, she is a Chevy girl already!

Then I hooked up a sprinkler I bought for $4.00 back in February... success.

She decided it was an evening for the pool...

That Elvis curl!!

I got a few flowers from the little angel...

We put some miles on the Jeep...

MY NEW BAG CAME IN!!!! You NEED one of these!! (Thanks, hubby!!)

I had a helper with dinner...

And a movie to end the night, in the best seat in the house ;)

OUT.

Today I want to talk about protein!! Protein is an important component of all the cells in the human body. It helps to repair and build tissue in the body. Your body NEEDS protein each day, especially as a runner, since you're constantly breaking down muscle and needing that repair!

Web MD suggests that active men need roughly 7 ounces of protein daily and active women need roughly 6 ounces.

Stating that you need a large amount does not suggest that you need TONS of protein. Your body still needs carbs and fats to be healthy. The high protein/low carb diet fads are not only bad for you because you are depriving your body of needed nutrients, the diet is also one that is very difficult to maintain.

Personally, I find it hard to eat protein in the morning without repeatedly eating eggs. On days when I'm not planning on running a significant amount or a track workout, I always have the option to make a protein shake. It is easy, quick, and portable, the three requirements of a Mom's breakfast, for sure! ;)

Mine tastes like a chocolate shake, and I LOVE it! Here is how I make mine!

First, I slice 1/2 a banana (or use one I have frozen from a previous shake), and add it to my Ninja blender (I LOVE this thing!)

Next I add one cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk. I'm not really brand-loyal. I just use whatever is on sale ;)

Then I add two tablespoons of PB Fit. Sometimes I use real peanut butter, but then I only add one tablespoon. There is more fat in real peanut butter. PB Fit also blends REALLY well!

For the last step, I add my absolute FAVORITE protein! I cannot begin to explain how yummy this stuff is! I love it! My CrossFit awesome friend Sarah introduced me to it last year and I am hooked!

I mix it all up and take it with me! Or I stick it in the fridge for the next morning! I'll be taking this to gymnastics tomorrow!

Sometimes I add ice cubes, but usually I only do this if the banana was fresh instead of frozen. I added them today, but I really didn't need to since it's going to sit in the fridge overnight tonight.

All ready for a busy day!

Thanks for continuing to support me! You all are the best!

How do you spend your summer days?

What is your favorite protein powder?

What is your favorite protein shake recipe?