Chocolate Pear Banana Protein Shake

I think I am in Love. And addicted. 

Let me tell you why:

I make this shake almost every day. That is the addiction part. It is my favorite treat/drink/food to eat after I work out!

I go to this AMAZING exercise class that I LOVE! Thanks Jan! I get my butt kicked and finish off with some push ups, come home and I am hungry. After I wash of my stink, I make this shake. Ready to feed my muscles. Yes, sometimes I will flex in the mirror and kiss my arms (LOL, cuz I am crazy) and my husband calls me a "monster". Ok. Ok. But I work hard. So there you go. 

Let me tell you, over 20+ grams of protein per serving (the shake makes 2 servings) it is just what my body and muscles need. It is ALL natural and raw. Plus it tastes SO DANG GOOD! I mean, have you ever had a chocolate smoothie from Wendy's? It is about the same thickness, but a million times better for you. I will tell you what is in it, but first let me back up it up with some facts: 

In Sports Medicine it says "One study found that athletes who refueled with carbohydrate and protein had 100 percent greater muscle glycogen stores than those who only ate carbohydrate. Insulin was also highest in those who consumed a carbohydrate and protein drink.

Protein Needs After Exercise
Consuming protein has other important uses after exercise. Protein provides the amino acids necessary to rebuild muscle tissue that is damaged during intense, prolonged exercise. It can also increase the absorption of water from the intestines and improve muscle hydration. The amino acids in protein can also stimulate the immune system, making you more resistant to colds and other infections."

Here is another Link to 6 Smart Snacks to Eat after a Workout. 

Oh ya, I usually drink both servings. That is if my husband or kids aren't around (they like it too). But in saying I drink both servings, that is my entire lunch. It fills me up. The shake is also loaded with fiber. Another one of my favorite things...fiber!

So I recently got a Blend Tech and I think I am having a love affair with my blender. It's ok, I told my husband. Before I made this shake, my "after work-out snack" would be: some peanut butter with 8 dark chocolate chips melted in the microwave. Then I would mix in some hemp seeds and dip a banana in the mixture. After I got my blend tech I started experimenting and came up with this marvelous shake!

The pictures don't do it justice. I am telling ya, I am licking out my cup at the end. And while I am eating it, I am doing a little jig. 

After, I am completely satisfied. Satisfies my sweet tooth. Satisfies my hunger. Satisfies and gives me energy and strength. Satisfies my belly. Get in my belly! 

Enough rambling, let me get on to the recipe: But wait! Before I do, let me give my thanks: Thanks Jan for your workouts-You Rock! Thanks Blend Tech for your amazing blender! Thanks to my kids for coming and getting dragged along when I go workout! Thanks to all my friends who call me "muscles" and those who I work out with and dance while we work out...I love ya! Thanks to my hubby for loving me and my bod! And thanks to my brain and butt for making a commitment to get my butt moving and exercise. Seriously, exercise is a addiction all in itself! Thanks! And thanks to YOU readers for reading my blog, even though I lack here and there with posts. 

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Almond milk OR Milk OR 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt (which has more protein if you choose the yogurt). I usually use Almond milk+Yogurt.
1 Banana
1 heaping spoonful (or more) of Natural Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
3 Tb Raw Hemp Seeds
3 Tb Ground Flax Seed
1 Pear, cored 
2-3 Tb Cacao Powder
1-2 Tb Agave (Optional, I choose not to use it, but use it if you like it sweeter)
6 Ice Cubes
*Optional: Sometimes I like to add in about 1/2 Tb of Coconut Oil in addition to everything else. 

This is easy. Put in blender in order listed. First add your milk, yogurt, 1 banana, peanut butter, hemp seeds, flax, pear, Cacao, Ice Cubes. Blend until smooth. If you have a Blend Tech, use the "Sauces" Setting (You might need to do the setting twice to fully mix it). 

Pour. Scrape out goodness. Enjoy!