Sometimes it feels really good to shake up your whole routine.
Perhaps it's something as big as starting a new job or even perhaps quitting your job to work from home. It could be moving your evening workout to the morning or taking your dog for a walk on a different route. It could even be as small as parting your hair on the left side instead of the right. Somehow, making a change, no matter how big, can make you feel vibrantly alive. Fresh and new.
Recently I've switched a lot of stuff up. I stopped doing cardio altogether at the gym (this is a big deal for me). Just a 5 minute walk on the treadmill to warm up before hitting the weights. And now, instead of an hour, my workouts only take 35 to 40 minutes. In a couple weeks, I may add back in a day or 2 a week of very light cardio, but I'm in no hurry. I feel fantastic.
There's been a few small things as well: When I wake up in the morning, I now drink a full glass of water as soon as I get out of bed. Then after I drink my lemon water, I drink another full glass. Being well-hydrated is amazing. I also tucked my shirt into my jeans the other day for the first time since probably the 2nd grade. It may not sound like a big deal but I was surprised by how good it looked! It definitely added a bit of pep to my step and I've done it a couple of times since.
I also recently stopped eating oatmeal for breakfast. Initially, it was because it was getting warmer and smoothie bowls started sounding really, really good. But when I started working again, I couldn't exactly take a smoothie bowl on the road with me. So I started taking a smoothie to-go each day. I never thought I'd be the type of person who could get on board with drinking my breakfast because basically, I love eating breakfast. It's my favorite meal and I love sitting down and savoring every bite. But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this change!
Though I've tried a few flavor combos, the base always stays the same. The loads of healthy fats, amino acids, and protein (5 grams per tablespoon!) in hemp seeds and the fiber/protein combo of buckwheat groats leaving me feeling very satisfied after I'm done. There's a ton of leafy greens (I use a mix of kale, chard, and spinach) to provide a ton of nutrients as well as fiber and the maca powder helps to balance hormones. As I mentioned, I've tried a few flavor combos but the one I've come to love the most is my mango peach green tea smoothie. Equal amounts of frozen mango and frozen peach slices in addition to a bit of matcha powder make for a sweet and tangy, beautifully green smoothie that gives me a tiny boost of energy without leaving me jittery.
I love this smoothie so much that I actually had it for breakfast every day last week. I love sipping slowly sipping it while I commute to work and finishing it off as I settle in at the office. I don't need a cup of tea to keep me from falling asleep at my desk and I don't even feel hungry again until lunchtime. I didn't even realize that I was in a rut until I changed things up. It looks as though, however, that I won't be changing my weekday breakfast up again for awhile...
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 to 3 handfuls of leafy greens
- 1 1/2 cups frozen mango
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peach slices
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon buckwheat groats
- 1 tablespoon maca powder, optional
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
Instead of mango, you could sub 1 1/2 (preferably frozen) bananas.
What kind of ruts do you get into?
Photography by Chris Miller
Emma
Good rut! This looks delicious. Those pictures are stunning too...I'm a sucker for a cute straw 😉
Totally get you on changing things up. It's really surprising how much difference the small things can make. I've been trying to ease back on the cardio as well, really getting into strength work and feeling great for it.
Kristy
Thanks, Emma! Cute straws are a weakness for me too. 🙂
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
I never thought I could drink my breakfast, but it's sounding more and more tempting now that I've seen this beauty! : )
Kristy
I'm so with you, Abby! I never thought this moment of drinking my breakfast would come but I'm loving it!
Millie
Mmm, this smoothie looks amazing! I really need to invest in a proper blender, my little hand blender isn't quite strong enough to blend frozen fruit. I tend to get stuck into the same things without realising it, like drinking cup after cup of coffee all day long when what I'm really craving is a refreshing smoothie or juice or just good old water! Aw yeah i've recently changed up my exercise, instead of slogging around running all the time I prefer pilates and strength work mixed with jogging. Really liked this post! It's nice to know other people want to change things up too! x
Kristy
It sounds like we're a lot alike! Pilates sounds like a great addition to your exercise routine- I'll have to look into it!
Courtney @ The Fig Tree
Looks delicious!!! Great flavour combination. I have some frozen peaches and mangoes in my freezer. Cannot wait to make this! 🙂
Kristy
Thanks, Courtney! 🙂
Robyn B | Modern Day Missus
I don't know why it has taken me so long, but I think I've just moved from the juice to the smoothie camp, and I've been loving taking a green smoothie with me on my way to work. One thing that I haven't been doing though is adding a protein source - is there anything hemp seeds aren't good for!
Kristy
Aren't hemp seeds magical? And smoothies on the way to work are the best! 🙂
Ali
I was in a not-going-to-yoga rut for the past year. I just got home from my first session back on the mat and stumbled onto your post. I feel the exact same way: mixing up your routine wakes up your brain and makes everything feel alive and fresh! Can't wait to try this smoothie 😉
Kristy
I've been in a not-going-to-yoga rut for a few months too. My favorite teacher had a baby so since she's not there, I've been using that as a (very lame) excuse. I need to get out of that rut too!
Tessa | Balancing Active
Since starting my own business and working from home, it seems like my schedule is either complete, unproductive chaos or overly regimented routine, which takes all the fun out of what should be a creative process. I'm actually breaking my AM workout routine right this very minute to get some work done (oh and peruse blogs 🙂 and have a more energized workout when my body is ready for it this afternoon!
Kristy
You have a good point, Tessa- it's so important to listen to our bodies and our souls. If something seems too chaotic or not fun, or if our bodies are too tired, we need to make some changes.
Marissa
This smoothie looks absolutely delicious! I always shift from oats/porridge and warmer breakfasts to exclusively smoothies, raw cereals, and chia porridge in the warm months. I've made a similar smoothie to this one, but adding matcha to the mix isn't something I've tried. It sounds like a winning combination!
Kristy
Thanks, Marissa! I hope you like the addition of the matcha!
Beth
I also LOVE breakfast!! I get in breakfast ruts all the time, but it's only because I REALLY like what I've come up with. I ate cereal with strawberries every day for like 10 years. I finally switched to oatmeal a few years ago. This past winter it was pumpkin oatmeal. I would probably still be eating that for breakfast, but I thought I should change it up for summer. Last week I bought a giant bag of frozen wild blueberries. They have made a yummy addition to my oatmeal! I like how tiny they are and they cool off my oatmeal just enough so I'm not sweating by the time I'm finished eating! 🙂 I love smoothies for lunch! I will definitely have to try this. I love peaches and I'm always trying to get more green tea in!
Kristy
I like that frozen blueberry tip! I'll have to try that (when I feel like getting out of this new smoothie rut 😉 ).
Lu
Looks great, and perhaps just the change I'm looking for in my morning smoothies. But one question--you soak the groats, right? I mean, it seems like a given, but you didn't mention it, and this is only one of two search results for "groats" on your site.
Thanks! 😀
keepinitkind
Thanks, Lu! I actually just use the groats raw, no soaking. If you don't have a high-powered blender, you may want to though. Good luck! 🙂
Lu
Thanks! I just have a regular blender, so I probably will. Thank you for the response. 🙂
Annie @Maebells
Beautiful photos! I have been on such a smoothie kick lately! I love the addition of green tea, such a nice surprise!
Kristy
Thank you, Annie!
Emily @ It Comes Naturally Blog
What made you decide to cut back on the cardio in favour of weight training? The smoothie looks great. I need to get myself a high speed blender!
Kristy
Years ago, I was a personal trainer for quite a long time. I actually got a degree in kinesiology. I was just finding that my routine of 30 minutes of cardio, 30 minutes of light weights wasn't really giving me the results I wanted so I decided to completely switch things up. Plus, when you lift heavy weights, your body builds muscle (which is fat-burning machinery) and while doing so, it works at a rate that actually collects its energy from fat rather than carbohydrate stores (as you do when you do cardio). I'm finding that I feel stronger, I have more energy, and I'm liking the way my clothing is fitting more.
Now, after that long explanation ;-), thank you for your compliment. And I have to say- my Vitamix has more than paid for itself. I use it at least once, if not twice, daily. It's a great investment.
Gabby @ the veggie nook
What a delicious habit to be getting into! So happy you have been feeling better lately 🙂 And I totally hear you on cutting back on cardio. It's amazing how energizing that simple change can be!
Kristy
Thank you, Gabby! xx
Caitlin
This smoothie looks so beautiful and delicious! I always make smoothies with frozen bananas (I love their creaminess and smoothness and how it makes smoothies almost the texture of milkshakes!) but my boyfriend hates them so I've been looking for banana-free recipes and this one looks fantastic!
Kristy
Thanks, Caitlin! I actually don't do well with bananas so I try to avoid raw bananas as much as possible. Mangos are always a great alternative and provide a similar cream texture. Enjoy!
Marta
Thank u for the recipe! Do you actually put green tea into the smoothie, right? 🙂 Because the ingredients don't include it!
keepinitkind
It's in the ingredients list. The matcha powder is green tea powder. 🙂
christine
I regularly use my Vitamix for smoothies, but never use frozen fruits as I don't like things very cold! I find that the smoothies are always silky smooth even without bananas - which is just as well as I can't eat them:) Mangoes are always soooooooo good in them!
Hippie Butter
We all voted and this is what we're serving Monday morning at Hippie Butter except we'll be adding hemp seed butter for a little extra protein and nutty flavor.
Mr Matcha
I like this recipe and have included it in my new blog post on 24 must-try matcha recipes. Hope you don't mind 🙂
Anna Powell
Hi Kristy,
I referenced your recipe in a post if that is OK. I really like the unique mix of hemp, maca, and buckwheat that you used.
thanks
Anna
Donna
Hi, Kristy
This green tea smoothie is really looking great. It sounds interesting to me. Thanks for putting it together.
Donna recently posted in... Best Blender Under 100 Dollar