3 Amazing Post Workout Smoothies

3 AMAZING POST-WORKOUT SMOOTHIES

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Working out is an important part of my weekly routine, as I am trying to follow a healthier lifestyle, by eating better and getting stronger and fitter. Before working out I try not to eat a lot of food because it will only burden my stomach and make me feel heavy and drowsy. Plus it will mess up my gastric reflex syndrome. I prefer to have some tea and orange juice before my workout because they give me a lot of energy in a natural way. After my workout I am usually very tired; sometimes I can barely walk. However, before having my recuperating mean, I always make myself a smoothie to replenish my energy levels. I make it right away because the most effective time for refuelling the body is within 30 mins of the workout. Depending on how energetic you feel, the bigger energy boost you need, the sweeter your smoothie should be. By sweet I refer to the fruits used for the smoothie. If your energy levels are not that low, you can use vegetables and less sweet fruits. I also love to add half a scoop of my favorite vanilla protein powder (SunWarrior Warrior Blend Raw Vanilla Powder) or 1-2 tsp of my Moon Dusts from Moon Juice. Below I share my 3 favorite post-workout smoothies. I love drinking them as much as I love making them. In all my smoothies I try to include a handful or two of greens because they are so nutritious for the body and it is a way to get my daily portion of greens besides salads. So let’s get started shall we?

Banana and Berry Protein Smoothie

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1 handful of greens ( I like kale and spinach)

½ banana ( frozen optional )

¾ of a cup mixed berries ( frozen optional )

1 cup of chilled water

½ scoop of protein powder or 1-2 tsps of Action Moon Dust

1 tsp of flaxseeds

The greens are full with nutrients like mineral, vitamins and fiber. The banana adds potassium and carbs and the berries add antioxidants and fiber.

Orange and Avocado Protein Smoothie

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1 handful of greens

2 oranges peeled

½ avocando cored and peeled

1 cup of chilled water

½ scoop of protein powder or 1-2 tsps of Spirit Moon Dust

1 tsp of flaxseeds or spirulina powder

Some of the ingredients are same with the other smoothies, like the greens, protein powder/moon dust and flaxseeds. In this smoothie though, we have oranges and avocado. Oranges and citrusy fruits in general, repair the cell damage that happens during the workout. avocados add protein, potassium and antioxidants. Just remember it has to be quite ripe to have the best flavor.

Tropical Green Protein Smoothie

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1 handful of greens

½ mango peeled

1 handful of pineapple chunks

1 apple cored and peeled

1 cup of chilled water

½ scoop of protein powder or 1-2 tsps of Beauty Moon Dust

1 tsp of flaxseeds or chia seeds

Another lovely green smoothie full of antioxidants and vitamins. Apart from the usual greens though we have apple, mango and pineapple, some quite tropical fruits. Mango is a very sweet fruit which is great since its sugar can be converted into energy plus it is full with vitamin C. Pineapple is also sugary and full with vitamin C, but it can also help soothing any stomach pain and its anti-inflammatory properties can help with strained muscles after working out. Lastly, you all know how an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples are great energy boosters, but can also help with digestion and cholesterol.

Remember that in each recipe, you should blend the greens with the water first and then add the rest of the ingredients. I add the flaxseed and protein powder/moon dust at the end. A smoothie is a great way to cool down and recharge after a nice workout session. It could have anything you want from fruits and nuts to vegetables and superfoods. The above recipes are my three favorite post-workout smoothies. While Once I finish my workout, I can’t think of a better way to relax than enjoying one of these smoothies. I would love to know which are your favorite smoothies, so comment down below and share your most beloved recipes. Also, don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron) and say hello!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

MY FAVORITE HOME WORKOUTS

MY FAVORITE HOME WORKOUTS

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Picture on https://www.creatorsclubhouse.com/creativeflow-spot-1/

As autumn has set in for good, I begun to realise that although summer has definitely left the building, the kilos I put on during those three months are still around keeping me company. Following a proper diet and leaving the ice cream days behind, is not enough to get my self back in shape. I also need to exercise quite regularly. However, being a bit lazy, hitting the gym is not really my thing at the moment. Therefore, I decided to exercise at home because in that way I can adjust my workout to my needs and be at my own environment where I feel the most comfortable.

I always thought that exercising at home requires spending lots of money on gym equipment, but I was wrong; exercising at home can be quite cheap yet as effective as going to the gym. There are many different types of workout that are easily performed at home without any equipment or maybe some affordable props

  1. Weight lifting
From left to right: Dumbbell and weight cuffs, both from Tiger stores
From left to right: Dumbbell and weight cuffs, both from Tiger stores

Lifting weight is a great workout for many areas of our body; not just for the arms. A pair of light dumbbells between 1.5 kg and 3 kgs, is quite cheap – I got mines at Tiger stores – and the simplest way to firm up your arms. But what about the legs? Going through workout videos online, I found out about weight cuffs. They are some sort of dumbbells that you strap on your cuffs or ankles. You can wear them while doing your everyday choirs or while working out. In that way even the simplest exercise or task will be much more difficult to perform. My weight cuffs are also from Tiger stores!

2.  Aerobic

Gym Fitness Digital LCD Jump Rope
Gym Fitness Digital LCD Jump Rope

Now this is a great way – if not the best one – to burn those nasty calories and seriously firm up. It seems like aerobic has been around since the beginning of time, however it’s not necessary to be on a treadmill to lose a few kilos. Who needs it anyways when you can jog around your neighborhood or simply going for a nice long walk. A plain old jump rope is another cheap yet effective prob. You can get an electronic one like I did and count down the calories in the process. Apart from that, there are tons of videos online with full aerobic programs that will literally knock you off your socks – literally!

3.  Yoga – Pilates

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Pilates ball from Tiger stores

This is my new favorite type of workout. Perfect not only for slimming down but also for stretching your body and becoming more flexible. I love pilates as it helps me with my lower back and shoulder problems while yoga also helps me calm down and remove all the negative thoughts from my mind. All you need is a yoga mat which is quite affordable and you can find it practically everywhere – even H&M has one – and a pilates ball. I got both of these props on Tiger store. I know I know, it seems like it’s a Tiger sponsored post but honestly it is a great store with everything in such low prices! If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry; there are so many videos and apps available that it will be hard to choose from!

It’s amazing what you can do at home with just a few cheap gym pieces and some will power! All you need is some videos or apps and you are ready to go! Here I am sharing my favorite workout videos from Youtube as well as a couple of apps I absolutely love:

Last but not least, in order to exercise wherever you are, you will need a proper outfit. Something comfortable and suitable for all these different types of workout. I have fallen in love with H&M’s gymwear range as it is the perfect combination of good quality at low price. From bras to leggings, the variety is huge! Many designs and in different prices. My favorite leggings are the plain black ones (only 20 euros) or the black/pink ones (30 euros). These even have a pocket in the back for your valuables (phone, money, keys). Also the bras are amazing! Lovely colors with a great hold and just for 10-15 euros! I can’t praise this range enough!

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From left to right: H&M Sports bra, H&M Running tights, H&M Seamless sports bra, H&M Sports tights

Exercising at home can be easy and fun! Without spending a lot of money you can achieve the same results by simply getting some props and watching some videos! Now let’s burn those waffles up! Do you guys like to exercise at home? And if so, which one is your favorite workout?

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky