My Version of Ani Phyo’s Chocolate Power Smoothie
Saturday mornings are not about sleeping in for me. It’s about rising early in order to get to my 8:30 a.m. Zumba class!!!! I usually wake up a good hour and a half before I have to leave so that I can get a smoothie down and maybe some green tea. I need it to digest so that it doesn’t re-appear while I’m working out (won’t go into specifics here – but if you’ve ever worked out hard and sweated a lot — you may know what I’m talking about)!!! Oh – and by the way — I repeat this on Sunday morning as well! 
So I need to up my energy and stamina on the mornings that I go to Zumba. That is why I drink this power smoothie before hand. Let me quote Ani Phyo from her book Ani’s 15-Day Fat Blast as she explains why you need to pair sugars with fats 20 minutes before exercise. I love this book and re-read it from time to time for inspiration and really terrific RAW recipes. Ani talks about “Maximizing Endurance and Energy” and I quote . . .
“Pair Sugars With Fats, 20 minutes before Exercise. Eat higher sugar, higher calorie fruits (dates bananas, plums, pears, pineapple, orange, mango) with a fat source (nuts, seeds or nut butters, coconut oil, or coconut milk) for longer sustained energy. Try to eat these sugars 20 minutes prior to a workout for longer performance. Also, if you want energy levels that soar you have to continue to avoid highly refined carbohydrates; instead choose to eat the right carbs and fats as your main fuel source. No, a candy bar with raisins won’t fit the bill here Got it? Also, don’t forget to fill up on fiber for more sustained energy levels throughout each day. Fiber is what time-releases sugar into the bloodstream. You won’t have a spiked sugar high and then crash later.”
So first I am going to share my version of Ani’s Banana, Spinach, Chocolate Power Smoothie and then I’ll share hers as well. Ultimate Chocolate Power Smoothie 2 Bananas (fresh or frozen) 2-3 pitted Dates (I used Medjool) 1/4 Cup Raw Almonds 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder 1 teaspoon Spirulina (if you have it — if you don’t – don’t worry) 1-2 Cups fresh spinach 1 cup Ice cubes 2 cups H20 Whirl up in a blender (I use a Vitamix**) Enjoy! 
** If you want to try out a Vitamix without paying full price – click on the link above and use the Code 06-008283 at checkout. Here is Ani’s Recipe: Banana, Spinach, Chocolate Power Smoothie 2 cups Bananas, from about 2 whole 1 cup spinach leaves, washed well 1/4 cup almond butter 1 Tablespoon Cocao powder 1 teaspoon spirulina powder 3 cups Thai baby coconut water, or filtered water 1 cup ice, optional Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender until smooth. Enjoy immediately. Will keep for one day, sealed tightly, in the fridge. I use these to store all my smoothies and more. So you see — there a little same, yet different. There is no need to freak out if you don’t follow a recipe 100%.
So whatever you do, whichever recipe you decide to try (or create one yourself using the Sugar with Fats ratio and some greens) – just get out there and
Enjoy!
Michele ♥
