In the words of Tom Haverford from Parks and Recreation….treat yourself!
This week has been so stressful. Between my internship, training, work, sibling duties, and class, I feel like I am two seconds away from having a caffeine-fueled, stress attack.
Sometimes, you need to just take a step back and breathe. Other times? Well, you just need a treat. Sometimes, I treat myself with some spiffy, new workout gear. This week, it’s all about healthy, sneaky desserts. Why sneaky?
Because it tastes so good, it’s sneakily good for you.
OK, OK… I know I’ve already written a blog on some of my favorite recipes, but this past week, I stumbled across what could be my new favorite protein snack/treat/whatever you want to call it—banana “ice cream.” It’s easy to make, healthy to eat, and the perfect way to use your ripe bananas! The following recipe makes about 2 ½ cups of “ice cream.” I’ve been cranking out versions of this recipe all week, so I’m pretty much an expert now, so I’m going to share two of my current favorites with you!
Peanut butter protein banana “ice cream”
You will need:
• 3 ripened frozen bananas. To make it a little easier on your blender, slice the banana prior to freezing
• 3 tsp. PB2 powder
• ½ or ¾ cup of milk or milk substitute—I use unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 3 or 4 dashes of cinnamon and cayenne pepper
• Sprinkle of shelled hemp seeds, flax seed, or anything along those lines!
• One packet/scoop of protein powder
Directions:
1. Set up your blender. Put in the chopped up bananas, milk or milk substitute, and blend until smooth.
2. Add in the protein powder, PB2, vanilla, spices, seeds and blend until smooth.
Annnnnd that’s it. Seriously. You’re done. If you want to go for more of a Reese’s effect, add a couple teaspoons of cocoa powder to turn it into a chocolate-peanut butter banana mix. If you aren’t a fan of peanut butter, fear not! Swap out the PB2 powder for some cinnamon or cocoa powder, and add in a different type of protein powder. Vega One has some awesome single serve protein packets in flavors like vanilla chai, coconut-almond, mocha, and chocolate…which brings me to my second recipe!
Banana-chai protein “ice cream” parfait
You will need:
• 3 ripened frozen bananas. To make it a little easier on your blender, slice the banana prior to freezing
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• Dash of nutmeg
• ½ or ¾ cup of milk or milk substitute—I use unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 3 or 4 dashes of cayenne pepper
• Sprinkle of shelled hemp seeds, flax seed, or anything along those lines!
• One packet/scoop of Vega One Vanilla Chai protein powder
• Half a cup of crunchy granola
• Honey
Directions:
1. Clean and set up your blender, again. Put in the chopped up bananas, milk or milk substitute, and blend until smooth.
2. Add in the protein powder, vanilla, spices, seeds and blend until smooth.
3. Pour the granola into a small bowl and scoop some banana “ice cream” on top
4. Drizzle with honey.
This one was more of a post-work out treat, but it was so, so, sooooooo good.
Once you get the hang out it, you can make banana ice cream out of just about anything. Coconut, caramel, whatever tickles your fancy! Sometimes I try to copy Ben & Jerry’s or Starbucks flavors.
Happy (and healthy!) munching!! 🙂