Summer Travel: Skinny Drinks

Do you have a trip planned this summer? Vacation, work, or a weekend getaway?

I love enjoying some beverages when I travel, but I just can't do tons of sugary drinks. Over time I have figured out to enjoy my favorite drinks guilt free by modifying the recipes. Here are my favorites! 

Bananas for Bananas

Blend:

Banana

Coconut rum 

Soda water

Ice

Mango Mojito

Mango muddled with mint 

Coconut rum 

Soda water

Ice

Pineapple Cooler

Blend:

Pineapple

Rum

Soda water

Ice

Skinny Margarita:

Tequila

Lime juice (tons fresh squeezed) 

Soda water 

Splash of cranberry or agave 

Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water

Fresh lemon water is my go to drink of choice, especially after travel! I just take a 1/2 a lemon, squeeze the juice in to my water jug in the morning and refill with

fresh water throughout the day!

Benefits:

Hydrating

Lemon water is very alkalizing and helps balance pH levels 

Aids liver cleansing 

High in Calcium, potassium,& vitamin C

Helps rid visceral fat

Natural diuretic 

Skinny Summer Sangria

Peachy Summer Spritzer

It's that time of year! It's warm out, and cooling down with a Skinny Spritzer might be the way to go! 

Thea's Summer Kale Smoothie

It's time I share another smoothie recipe! I literally have a green smoothie almost every day. Green smoothies are nutrient rich drinks, that seriously taste delicious! They are sweet, creamy, and whatever you want them to be.

I made one today, and had to share!

• Feel free to add a whole banana, or switch up the banana with any other desired fruit.
• The protein powder I used today is called Dale's and you can buy it here.  
• I like to enjoy my green smoothies as a breakfast, snack, post-workout, or sweet treat at night!

Follow me on instagram and twitter: @thea_nolan

How To Make Homemade Almond Milk

I cut most dairy from my diet a few years ago, and found that almond milk is a great replacement for milk. It is lower in calories, higher in calcium, and saves our COWS!!! Try this easy recipe at home!

Ingredients:
1 cup raw almonds
1 cup water (to soak nuts overnight)
3 cups water
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1packet stevia (optional)  or agave nectar
1 tsp. cinnamon (my special kick)

Directions:
1. In a jar, soak 1c. almonds with 1c. water overnight.
2. Drain water from jar with soaked almonds.
3. In a good quality blender (Blendtec or Vitamix) blend all the ingredients until smooth.
4. Strain the blended almond mixture using a cheesecloth or other strainer.
5. Store almond milk in mason jar, and ENJOY!!

Morning Greens: Smoothie Time

With the warmer weather I have been craving refreshing fruity drinks. I decided make a fruity recipe and add greens for an extra boost of nutrients! Try this recipe, or get creative and make your own!

Ingredients:
4 Large strawberries
1 cup almond milk
1 tbsp flaxseed
1 shot wheatgrass (or spirulina powder)
1 scoop protein powder (my favorite Dale's Protein Powder)

Directions:

1. In your Vitamix or Nutribullet blend all ingredients!

Simple, and delicious.

Refreshing Basil Lime Cocktail

The weather is nice out, so why not cool down with a refreshing spring/summer cocktail! Try this out and you won't be disappointed! 

Ingredients:

1 cup basil

5-6 limes juiced 

1/3 cup stevia 

1 cup pellegrino

*optional add vodka*

Blend ingredients in Vitamix with ice! 

Shot Of Nutrition

Thanks to a friend Sophia I have been enjoying a delicious shot of wheat grass mixed with some yummy coconut water.

Ingredients:
Wheat grass
Coocnut- Coconut water

1. In juicer, juice wheatgrass.
2. Cut open coconut (or buy one already cut)... If you are in a hurry you can use cold coconut water.
3. In a cup mix one shot of wheatgrass with one shot of coconut water


Why should I drink this?

Wheat grass:
Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. 
Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector.
Helps your bodys alkalinity - helps keep pH levels balanced 
Good for skin

Coconut water:
Electrolytes
Potassium
Enzymes help in the digestion and metabolism.

Thea's Skinny St. Patty's Day Spritzer

Skinny St. Patty's Day Spritzer

It's time to party! You can definitely go out this St. Patrick's Day to have some drinks, and keep it low-cal. Why not have some people over and start it off by serving this delicious Skinny Spritzer. It is festive and delicious!

Ingredients:

• Green food coloring
• 1 chilled 750ml bottle of dry white wine $
• 1 liter chilled lime-flavored diet soda
• Fresh Lime 

Directions:

1. Bring out wine glasses.

3. Slice lime.

3. Pour lime flavored diet soda in to glass, fill half way.

4. Place 1 drop of green food coloring into each glass.

5. Divide 1 chilled 750ml bottle of dry white wine among glasses.

6. Add lime.

7. Serve! I liked to add some cute napkins to keep things extra Irish :)

Nutrition Facts:
TOTAL Calories: 605 Carbs: 20 Fat: 0 Sugar: 5 Fiber:0
Calories Per glass: 76 Carbs per glass: 2.5 Fat:0 Sugar:0.6 Fiber:0

Tea Time

My sweet tooth hits me in the evening, tonight I decided to kick it with a 5-calorie treat.

1c boiling water
1 tea bag (cinnamon, vanilla, dolce)
2 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
1 packet stevia

Sweet Heaven: RAW 4 ingredient dessert

Ingredients:
1 frozen banana
1 c. Unsweetened almond milk
2 Dates
1 tbsp. raw cacao powder

This tastes like a chocolate shake, minus the guilt!

Fit Friday Tip: When You Are Drinking

FIT FRIDAY TIP: If you are going to drink tonight, or this weekend try to limit your carb intake throughout the day. Keep fresh fruits and veggies stacked.

 

Dinner options:

Salmon, with a salad or steamed veggies, and a glass of red wine.

Chicken with black beans and guacamole, and a skinny margarita (agave).

Sashimi with a cucumber salad, and a glass of wine or sake.

Turkey wrapped burger with a side of tomato, onion, and avocado with a light beer.

 

Goodmorning Green Smoothie Recipe

I have been on a green smoothie kick lately! There are so many reasons I like making them! They are awesomely healthy, and with the right stuff FILLING! They are easy to pack as a snack, they are loaded with greens, where you can't get on the go very often, oh yeah and they taste pretty amazing!

Thea's Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 C. Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Scoop SunWarrior Raw Vegan Vanilla Protein
2 C. Spinach
1 Bunch parsley
1/2 C Berries
1/2 Apple
Stevia packet
Cinnamon
Ice

1. In blender blend greens and almond milk.
2. Add SunWarrior (you can buy at mothers market). Blend.
3. Add berries and sliced apple. Blend.
4. Add ice. Blend.
5. Add cinnamon and stevia if you want:)

I hope you enjoy it! Also, if you have other things in your fridge throw em' in! Any greens or fruit would work great, don't like almond milk, try a fresh juice, rice milk, hemp milk, coconut milk, etc. Let your creativity run wild!

Thea's Thanksgiving Tips:

Thea's Thanksgiving Tips:
1. Start your day with a morning workout. A run, hike, or walk with
your family could be fun!
2. Drink tons of water! This helps you recognize real hunger versus
thirst/dehydration.
3. Eat veggies and protein first then go on to bite at the heavier
foods. (ie. By filling up on tons of mashed potatoes/gravy/bread rolls/
stuffing you are more likely to consume more and get less nutrients
from these).
4. Grab a smaller plate and utensils. (this helps you not overSTACK
and slow down when you eat).
5. Bring healthier options that still taste amazing (sugar-free mousse
or pudding, homemade healthy cake, cookies, dark chocolate)
6. Eat throughout the day, and don't eat like you've never seen food
before ( most likely there will be leftovers tomorrow).
7. Enjoy your meal and a slice of desert(don't deprive yourself,
hopefully you've been eating clean and deserve a holiday treat).
8. If you're planning on drinking. Sip on water between beverages. Also stay away from high-calorie add-ins if you are making mixed drinks. TRY: Brut Champagne, Unsweetened Cranberry Juice, With a few cranberries in the glass.

What Is Kombucha? Why Should I Drink It?

I have been on a kombucha kick lately, and I thought I'd share with you a little about this healthy drink. Kombucha is a probiotic pro=in favor biotic=life fermented tea drink. Probiotics help balance pH (acidity) naturally (probiotics can be found in yogurts as well), and has a slight fruity/vinegar taste. It is important for many of us to balance pH levels, especially if you drink coffee, eat processed foods, consume aspertame, soda, or sip on an occasional alcoholic beverage. Drinking kombucha will help maintain a healthy pH level in your body, and keep your digestive system working properly. DRINK UP:)

Tip: Buy in bulk when on sale.. can get $$.

The Easiest Healthy Iced Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk

I LOVE chocolate, and I have a seriously sweet tooth that I simply can't ignore from time to time. When I am craving chocolate (usually as a late night snack), I know I will feel bad if I go get a tub of ice cream or a candy bar. At the same time, I don't want to deprive myself of the sweetness! I usually drink my iced chocolate milk, and it will satisfy that craving! See for yourself!

The Easiest Healthy Iced Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk

1/2 Scoop Chocolate protein powder
1 C. Unsweetened almond milk
1/2 Tbsp. Unsalted peanut butter
Ice
Cup

1. In a bowl combine milk, PB, and Protein.
2. Stir.
3. Pop in microwave for 15 seconds.
4. Stir again.
5. Pop in microwave for another 15 seconds (until ingredients begin to mix better).
6. Stir again, then pour over a cup of ice.

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz

Thea's Tropical Fruit Protein Smoothie

The weather is nice, and all I want lately is something cold and sweet! I just finished a tough workout, and on my way home from the gym (starving as always) I was thinking of what to make. Something with fruit (after workout and in the morning is the best time to consume fruit because they are simple carbs and refuel muscle glycogen stores), and something with protein to get to the muscle cells quickly... Mmmm a smoothie! Better yet, the best smoothie ever!! I got all the ingredients that sounded refreshing, threw them together and in result ended up with MAGIC! This protein smoothie is so yummy you wouldn't even know it is health in a cup!

Thea's Tropical Fruit Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 Scoop Nu Tek Pro 5 Vanilla Protein (Nutriship Brea)
1 C. Vita coco coconut water
1/4 Papaya (seeded, and skinned)
1/4 Grapefruit (seeded and peeled)
1/2 Small kiwi
1/2 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes
6-8 ice cubes

1. In blender add ice, coconut water, Nu Tek Pro 5 vanilla Nutrishop protein, fruit, and coconut flakes.
2. Blend for a few minutes, then serve.

Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 288
Carbs: 34g
Fat: 3g
Protein: 33g
Sugar: 24

Did I mention that this is good anytime of the day? Breakfast smoothie, mid-day snack, dessert, or post workout treat!