OK, I'm Awake Smoothie

So, I've started training to run in my first 5k in July and following a modified version of the Couch-to-5k program.   I've wanted to run a 5k for a while, but given my state of health in the past, training went more like couch-to-refrigerator.

Anyway, I woke up this morning utterly exhausted after last night's training run and needed something to wake me up to deal with the Monday morning slog back to work.

I LOVE spicy things and wanted to make something using cayenne and hot sauce.  This is a simple recipe, but provides enough kick to get going and not grasp for the bed.

OK, I'M AWAKE SMOOTHIE
2 cups organic baby spinach
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 1/2 cups filtered water
2 cups frozen mango
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tbsp hot sauce
1 handful Sing Buri Cashews (from Sahale Snacks)
1 tbsp turbinado sugar (optional)


Put all ingredients in a blender and mix until it becomes a smooth  light green mix.  


(If you have a crappy blender like I do, you may need to stir it up every few seconds to distribute the mango.)

Nutty Strawberry Pear Smoothie

I love nuts.  Cashews.  Almonds. Pecans.  I love 'em all.  So, naturally I have been working on how to incorporate them into my morning spinach smoothies.   Whole Foods sells flavored cashews from Sahale Snacks that have really caught my taste buds.  The Sing Buri Cashews are my favorite which blends the cashews with pineapple, peanuts, lemongrass, and mild Chinese chile.  When blended into a smoothie, it provides just enough "grit" to still be drinkable, but provide a distinctive flavor.  

NUTTY STRAWBERRY PEAR SMOOTHIE

2 cups organic baby spinach

1 cup vanilla coconut milk

2 D'Anjou pears cut into pieces

1 cup frozen strawberries

1 cup filtered water

1 handful Sing Buri Cashews

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until mixture has a solid dark red/purplish color.