Hi hi hi!! Wow, today was an exciting day around the blogosphere.
First, it started off with Caitlin’s amazingness on The Today Show. Wow, did that girl rock it. I was 100% impressed. Just lovely.
Second, the Healthy Living Summit chatter was non-stop today! Emails, chats, tweets! I’m getting so excited 
Third, I was talking to ThenHeatherSaid about packing for HLS and somehow we got to talking about height. I had NO CLUE that she is 5’10”!! Did you know that HealthyAshley is 5’10” as well?? I got a LOT of “height” tweets today and it was fun to learn how tall everyone really is. How tall would you guess that I am? A lot of people thought I was 5’7”…nope, I’m just over 5’4”!
Okay, time for food.
I am entering the Stonyfield Smoothie contest for the Healthy Living Summit. This is my favorite 5 ingredient smoothie, for a few different reasons.
I started with 1c of Stonyfield Oikos Greek Yogurt [plain] to pack in a good amount of protein to start off my day. I love how low in sugar Oikos is. Then I add 2T organic [whole foods] peanut butter. This adds healthy fats, more protein, and a little fiber. Adding nuts or nut butter to my breakfast, really helps keep me satiated.
I like fruity smoothies, but they can be really high in sugar. Even though it’s all naturally occurring sugars, I try to keep my sugar intake low in the morning. If there was one fruit I had to put in every smoothie, it would be a banana. They provide a decent amount of fiber and potassium and are more filling than other fruits.
What better way to start your day than with a vegetable. Spinach is FULL of health benefits and will leave you feeling clean + energized. Perfect for the morning! The best part is, you can’t taste it at all.
Add some ice + let ‘er rip!
Disclosure: This entry is for the Healthy Living Summit Stonyfield Smoothie Contest. Stonyfield is a sponsor of the Summit, but not this contest.
Peanut Butter Banana Oikos Green Smoothie
- 2 handfuls ice [~1+ cup]
- 1c plain organic Stonyfield Oikos Greek Yogurt
- 2T organic creamy peanut butter
- 1 organic frozen banana
- 2-3c organic spinach
- Add ingredients in this order. Yogurt + Peanut Butter + Banana + Ice + Spinach
- Blend away until creamy + smooth.
*You can also blend the yogurt + spinach together first, until smooth. Then blend in all other ingredients.
Enjoy in a bowl.
Or in a mug.
Fresh + delicious. Healthy + filling. What could be a better way to start your morning?
Smoothie Stats:
- cals – 350
- sugar – 26g
- fiber – 7g
- protein – 33g
- fat – 15g
Green smoothie bloopers!
I should have poured it from the mug –> bowl instead of bow –> mug. FAIL.
Two extremely generous blog readers, sent me packages of the new Larabars today!!
Andi + Miriam, thank you ladies SO SO much!! I really appreciate it!
I dug into the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough first. They were a little melty and at first I loved the chocolate chip gooeyness. However, overall the flavor was on the bland side + after eating half I had to stop because of how sweet it was! I have heard a few others say these have been too sweet as well. I can’t wait to try the rest though.
I made a summery lunch today and had Ann over to share it with.
Are these not the more adorable things ever?
Even their shadows are cute. hehe
Here is the recipe. Nothin’ fancy.
Couscous + Roasted Veg
- 1 pint cherry/grape tomatoes
- 1c dry couscous
- 1 green zucchini
- 1 patty pan squash [or yellow squash]
- 4 stalks of kale, washed + de-stemmed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- olive oil
- s+p
- Roast zucch + maters at 350* with a little olive oil, s+p. ~25min
- Add in chopped kale for another ~15min.
- Bring 1.25c water to boil with 1T olive oil.
- Add in 1c dry couscous, turn off heat, cover + let sit for 5min.
- Heat a sautee pan over medium with olive oil. Add in 2 cloves minced garlic + baby shrooms. Cook about 5min.
- Fluff couscous with fork.
- Combine in a bowl and top!
Toppings:
- goat cheese
- pepitas
- equal parts: olive oil + fresh lemon juice + red wine vinegar
Then Ann and I did a little shopping over on Broadway, but I found NOTHing. Shopping fail! However, the ice cream from Sweet Action made up for it!! They have the most amazing flavors.
Blackberry Lavender!!! I know that sounds kind of intense but the lavender was subtle. I can’t even explain how delicious this was.
When I got home, I finally got to video gchat with one of my FAV’s!!!
Ashley!! <3 We had sooo much fun chatting. It was exciting to actually talk with her, rather than just email. I admire her for all that she does with her blog, while maintaining a full time job and training for marathons. She astonishes me. Her recipes are stellar, writing is superb, and photography is amazing. I just love her style. Wish we lived closer!
I squeezed in a 40min swim today too!
- 100m warm up
- 20 lengths freestyle
- 10 lengths breast stroke
- 10 lengths back stroke
- 18 lengths freestyle
- 100m cool down
Total distance: 1650m
Aaaaaaaand from that + my bike ride, my hunger was through the roof! I’m also pooped.
Night Happpppy Friday!
Ashley
p.s. Recently, I installed the comment reply notification widget. Are you all getting emails when I reply to your comments??
PDF 
We should chat one day too
JEALOUS of your Laras! I don’t think my local WFs has the new flavahs. Your tomater photos are beautimous. I’m 5′ 2.25″ so us shorties can stick together and see eye to eye (literally!).
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Hahaha I <3 the bloopers! I have no idea how tall anyone is in the blogworld! I guess we will find out at HLS!
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I want to know where everyone is finding Larabars for $1.19?! That’s like 30 cents less than the cheapest ones I can find here in CA!
Ashley, that couscous looks INCREDIBLE. It’s going on my dinner list for next week!
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Yeah..looks like they were on sale! The latest whole foods coupon booklet has a $1.25 off TWO larabars right now! The couscous was really yummy
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I think your smoothie recipe seems like a winner.
That’s funny y’all were guessing each other’s height? Do you know how tall I am? I’ll leave ya guessing ’til Thurs
So excited to meet you in 1 wek, and happy you installed the reply widget – always helpful
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:16 am
I’m guessing you’re 5’6″??
I’ll see soon!
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I *LOVED* the tweets about how tall we are… I tweeted that I was 5’8″ without my HIGH HEELS… and that garnered a few new followers – heh.
if my best friend wasn’t getting married next weekend – I WOULD BE AT #HLS…
but look out for me… I have a couple friends that say they may bring a Flat Kristina…
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Haha…I know it is really fun when everyone jumps in on a topic like that! I hope to see flat Kristina…too funny! Have fun at the wedding!
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Aah I don’t think I’ve had as much HLS chat as everyone else..noo! I must make it better :p
They’re 5ft10? YAY! I’m 5ft9, I won’t be the tallest!! Phew
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AWw I’m blushing, Ashley!!! I LOVED chatting with you and can’t wait till we do it sometime again, too . . . And swimming for 40 minutes??? Wow. That’s something I really admire . . . there’s no way I could do that right now. Also, OIKOS is my new favorite smoothie ingredient, too. So much protein and creaminess . . . I made a post long run smoothie with it (and cherries, chocolate, etc.) this weekend, incredibly divine! ANYWAY. I wish my gchat photo turned out better
You were kind of dark . . . but glad we fixed al the kinks!
This is very rambling. Can you tell I just woke up? Yeah. I check your blog first thing in the morning! xoxo
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:17 am
I don’t mind rambling!!
It was so much fun..glad it finally worked out! The swimming took a good month to work up the lungs a bit. Just like running. I’m sure you could do it!!
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Such a classic smoothie recipe! Doesn’t get better than that.
Wow, Blackberry Lavender! Sounds wonderful.
Have a great Friday Ashely!
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That smoothie recipe looks great! I am going to try it out
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Ok new reader here! Found you through Kath via Twitter! I am loving your blog! I had to comment right away on the height factor…I am 5’11 and may or may not be pushing 6’0
Glad I found you! Have a great day!!
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Erica Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 5:50 am
I’m also always looking for new green smoothies! I’ll have to add this one to my list. Thank you!
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Thanks for saying hi!! Wow, 5’11″…so many tall women!! Awesome
Let me know if you try out the smoothie.
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I’m 5’11″ so I’m one of those tall people. But I swear, in real life, no one is thing dang tall! Haha
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Shoot. I forgot to take pics of my new jalapeno popper roaster we used last night. Stuffed with sweet italian sausage (cooked ahead of time) and provolone cheese. Amazing how much hot went away with the roasting process. Spicy but not hot. Sorry about the meat Ash. Need some suggestions for alternate stuffings. Watch the prep with spray from the peppers- hard on breathing and hands burned until mid evening. Very good though.
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Thanks Dad
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Their shadows are cute!
I’m a pipsqueak compared to you ladies– barely pushing 5’2″!
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:18 am
I’m glad someone else thinks so
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I love finding out how tall other bloggers are! I’m 5’6″ and stand a little taller than most women, so it’s good to see I’m not alone!
I want to try the carrot cake flavor of larabar sooooo baaaaaaaddd!!!!
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Absolutely loving lavender right now. Especially in sweets like cookies and ice cream
Lovin’ the pb banana smoothie recipe, perfect combination of ingredients
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:19 am
I never ever thought I would enjoy eating lavender. mmmm
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Haha, that’s so funny, I thought you were around 5’7″ too!
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Blackberry-lavender sounds exactly the kind of intense I’d like. :p
I’m dying to try those choc-chip larabars. I haven’t seen them in stores yet.
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Great post! I hope you wing the contest! The smoothie looks great and so does that salad. YUM! Good luck and have fun at the HLS
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Thanks girl!!
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Your blog posts are always so beautiful. I cannot wait to try that smoothie! And I can’t wait to hear how you like the carrot cake Lara flavor!
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Thanks Megan. That means a lot!!
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I had the blackberry lavender the last time I was there, it was soo good. I still haven’t found a flavor that I haven’t loved!
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Ashley Reply:
August 6th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Hi beth!! Yes it was soooooooo good..I sampled at least 4 flavors
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Hi ~ So I just started reading your blog, and am in love with your recipe and flavor combinations! And beautiful photos to boot
I am a big fan of the green smoothie! I make one very similar almost every morning, I like adding chia or flax to mine for added nutrients and a lot of cinnamon. I find cinnamon adds a very subtle yet deliciously sweet flavor.
Looking forward to future recipes
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That’s the prettiest green of all the green monsters in the world!
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Yum.
That applies to everything.
You really should try making the cookie dough laras I made…I like them MUCH better.
Thanks so much for your sweet Tweet, and all of your help this week. I’m baking tomorrow…package leaving here Monday.
Hope you have a great weekend!
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I look forward to meeting you at HLS! I’m almost 5’11″,
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Ha ha who knew height was such a conversation starter? I’m 5’3″ but my Dad and Brother are over 6 foot and my LITTLE sister is 5’11″ so I’m pretty used to feeling short all the time! I’ll be trying yogurt in my smoothie in the near future
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ahh that smoothie loosk so delicious. I love the color that it is!! so beautifully green and summery
your meals are the best, I have told you before, but If i could just be a fly on the wall while you cook and prepare (then of course grab a sample) that would be amazing!!
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I love lavender in everything!! Once I made chocolate-lavender cookies that were delish. Lavender blackberry sounds awesome.
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You’ve just given me my dinner plan…thanks!
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I must say I always love your pictures so beautiful! and ahaha I am a little bloggie woman 4’11″
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So jealous! I want to try the new Larabar flavors!!
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love that smoothie. adorable tomatoes ^.^
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Made this for dinner tonight. Holy deliciousness……Loved every moment of it. Thanks for a fabulous recipe.
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Tried the smoothie this morning. I ALWAYS put fruit in and have never tried the pb and plain yogurt. Had all ingredients on hand and did it EXACTLY as your recipe specifies with a minor inclusion. Chocolate infused Amazing Grass. I put in 2 scoops and a splash or two of almond milk to thin it out a bit. LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Your blog rocks. PS – 5’8″ here
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Are you KIDDING? I just tried the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor today, it was GREAT!! I did not really care for the Carrot Cake flavor, so watch out!
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I seriously cannot believe how amazing your photos are. I need some lessons.
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This is now my favorite smoothie. Except I add agave. YOU ROCK MY SOCKS!
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Ashley Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
SO glad you like it!!
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[...] Ashley’s Recipe exactly as written, except add a squeeze of agave/sweetener to your [...]
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