Meal Replacement Smoothies

So, I got a NutriBullet this summer.  I am really not trying to promote any particular brand, as I know there are several completing ones on the market.  My aunt just recommended this particular one to me.  I LOVE it!!  

I have been playing around with various smoothie combinations.  I have been drinking them for breakfast, and sometimes even lunch.  I have been trying to pack them with protein to use for meal replacement.  It is allowing me to keep better tabs on my total caloric intake for the day, while staying full and I feel great!  Sometimes, I actually prefer a smoothie over some of my favorite breakfast or lunch meals.  

I also make some for the kids to have with their meals.  They are growing like weeds and can use all of the muscle building protein they can get.  I also put some leafy greens in their smoothies.  They drank them for several days before my oldest said, "Hey, are you putting salad in the smoothies?"  Haha!  

Here is a variation of my go to favorite right now.  I think this smoothie has about 320 calories, 7g of fat, 47g carbohydrates, 10 g fiber and 20 g protein (per my fitness pal ap).  It is also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium.  I am not a nutritionist so don't hold me to those numbers.  ;)

Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie

1 c loosely packed fresh spinach

1/2 fresh banana (sliced)

4 medium strawberries (sliced)

1/3 c plain Greek yogurt

2/3 c skim milk (or milk of your choice)

6 raw almonds (unsalted)

1 T old fashioned oats*

1 T chia seeds

1 t honey

little bit of crushed ice

 Put all ingredients in the cup and blend!  Drink immediately.
*If you are on a gluten-free diet, be sure to use gluten-free oats or omit.

Notes:  Other variations I really liked: 

-Replace spinach with kale or a kale/spinach blend

-Replace the almonds with 4 pecan halves

-Replace skim milk with soy or almond milk

-Omit strawberries (don't always have some)
-Replace the strawberries with about 6 grapes
-Replace the strawberries with about 4 cubes of pineapple

-Replace fruit with half of a large sliced peach (remove pit and leave peel on)
-Replace fruit with cucumber and melon

-Sometimes I omit the oats, especially if I have been eat a lot of other carbs that day.

Cheesesteaks

Simple.  Quick.  Delicious.  You have to try these.  My husband loved them.  We have made this recipe a few times for a quick weekend meal during our busy summer months.

I found some frozen very thinly sliced sirloin at my local wholesale food store.  I actually made these with that meat from frozen.  It cooked up surprisingly quick to have been cooked from frozen.  I think I will start keeping that meat on hand for a quick dinner.

Cheesesteaks

1 lb steak, trimmed and thinly sliced

½ bell pepper sliced

½ onion sliced

1 T olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 T Worcestershire sauce

4 slices Provolone cheese

Cook steak, until browned in a nonstick skillet.  Remove steak from skillet and drain on paper towels.  Sauté veggies in 1T of steak grease OR in 1T olive oil, until tender and onion starts to be translucent.  Then add garlic and sauté another minute.  Return the meat to the pan with the vegetables, add Worcestershire sauce and sauté until browned.  Separate meat mixture into four sections in the pan.  Top with cheese slices and keep pan on warm until cheese starts to melt.  Spoon onto warm hoagie rolls.

Makes 4 sandwiches

Allergen notes:  If making dairy-free, make sure your choice of bread is dairy-free and omit cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.  If making gluten-free, make sure your Worcestershire sauce and bread are gluten free.