Hey all!  

It's recipe time... and today I have a reallllly good one for you!  

Since becoming a vegetarian, I have been playing around with recipes and ways that I can keep my protein intake up.  Since being home [in the states] I have been using hemp protein for my smoothies.  It is just a raw, unflavored form of phenominal protein.... but it was honestly out of my wheelhouse.  I am used to using a flavored blend or my go-to Evolv that I have been using for almost 3 years now.  But, adding more plant based in brought hemp protein into my life. 

SO.... it is flavorless... but it takes like dirt basically hahaha!  [Don't worry, this recipe somehow ends up being delicious, I swear!]  

Moral of the story, I was like.... "okay, I have to create something really good in order for this to work out"  and I DID IT!  [Also, don't let this story fool you, it took me a couple times until I really nailed it lol]

I also have been making these for my husband, and he loves them too!  Which, if you follow his journey at all... he is NOT about eating stuff that isn't tasty... so I feel like I really scored here.

Okay, let's get into it.  This smoothie is freaking packed full of macronutrients [protein + carbs + fat] AND micronutrients [vitamins + minerals].  It is an awesome way to get in Protein, Fiber + Iron... which are all common aspects of our nutrition that can typically be lacking. 

[But be careful, it has a lot of fiber - 23 grams - and if you are not used to a fiber rich diet, maybe have 1/2 a serving first so you're not running to the bathroom.  Or you can always use less hemp powder or chia seeds, which is were a lot of the fiber is coming from.]

As you will see below in the Nutrition Facts... this smoothie does have sugar, which can be reduced by using less berries and banana.  BUT I do recommend eating this in the morning or for lunch due to the sugar content [even if it is a natural source - allow your body to burn those sugars off during the day!]