Happy Thursday everyone!

 I love short weeks, I swear today feels like it should be Tuesday or Wednesday and we only have 2 more workdays left before the weekend… SCORE!

This morning, I started my day with an awesome green smoothie. I’ve noticed lately I’ll have my smoothie and then an hour later I’ll be hungry again! I think the dose of sugar in the morning from the fruits has really been messing with my blood sugar levels and this may be why I am so hungry again by 10.

 So, my new goal this week has been to a) increase the protein content and b) lower the sugar.

 So how do I lower the sugar?? I mean after all there is only natural sugars from the fruit, so I did some research to find fruits with the lowest glycemic load. Many of you are probably familiar with glycemic index, but glycemic load is a bit different.

The glycemic load number for a particular food indicates how quickly that food is converted to sugar in your body. I am currently trying to include more foods that have a glycemic load lower than 10. I tend to crave sugar all the time and even though I am over my candy phase that lasted through college, my cravings for sugar are still present.

Don’t get me wrong I am all for indulging every once in a while, but the constant sugar cravings just aren’t going to cut it these days. So, what are some fruits with a low glycemic load? papayas, grapefruit, kiwis, oranges, strawberries, apples and pears.

This morning’s smoothie consisted of:

  • 1/2 c. cubed papaya
  • ½ skinned and cubed apple
  • tsp. grated ginger
  • handful spinach
  • ¼ avocado
  • ½ c. chopped romaine
  • tsp. flax seed oil
  • ½ c. almond milk
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • tbsp. chia seeds

Now that is one intense and o so nutritious smoothie! If you are used to the super sweet smoothies you may want to wean yourself to try something along these lines… it definitely wasn’t too sweet, but the apple and papaya still gave it a little fruity kick. The smoothie was so creamy from the avocado and I got a little dose of healthy fats to start off my day. After a workout, this baby is the perfect answer.

At my last position I had time to prep these monstrosity smoothies in the morning before work, but with my 6 am yoga class and then getting ready for work my “get ready” time has dwindled. So how do I have time to prep such a nutritious smoothie in the morning?

On Sunday, I buy all necessary ingredients for smoothies that week. I decide am I going lower sugar? More veggies? Maybe I want to be adventurous… so I buy all the fixin’s.

When I get home I prep. I cut up all the fruit and keep it them in fridge in containers. I also keep everything I use for my smoothies on one shelf, so I am never sorting through everything trying to find something.

(lots and lots of greens!!)

The night before my magic bullet comes to the rescue! I combine everything I want in a cup and place it in the fridge with the blade. Then in the morning all I have to do is place the cup on the bullet and my smoothie is ready to go. I have had my magic bullet for about 4 years now and it has worked fantastic.. lately though I am starting to see cracks in cups and the blade just isn’t working as well as it used to. I think it may be time for upgrade!!

Other quick breakfasts for during the work week? Overnight Oats or Overnight Buckwheat!! I place the oats or buckwheat in a bowl with almond milk, chia seeds, diced up fruit… anything your little heart desires. My favorite addition to these? Cinnamon. I swear nothing tastes better than cinnamon and since we’re on this whole lower sugar kick did you know cinnamon can help keep your blood sugar stable?

 Who knew! Hope you all have a fantastic day!!

 Have you ever gone on a kick where you are trying to reduce your sugar intake? Did you notice any differences??