Our sun is out. The forecast looks good for this big weekend filled with family, beer and moving. Excited!!
You know how there are fru-fru salads and entrée salads?
Fru-frus are made with mixed greens, maybe a few nuts or a cheese and a dressing. They’re light and not that filling, but perfect as an appetizer or side.
Then there are entrée salads – filled with bigger portions of lettuce and vegetables and often with a protein source like fish, chicken, egg or shrimp on top – and served with a slice of bread. That’s a meal.
Same thing goes for smoothies! If you make your smoothie out of 100% fruit or fruit juice, it’s a nice snack, but would hardly keep me feeling full for more than an hour or so.
In my house, I make entrée smoothies. Filled with bulkier ingredients that add more protein, whole grains + fat and keep me satisfied for 4 hours. Add things like yogurt, cottage cheese, soy or organic cow’s milk [almond milk has little protein], oatmeal, cereal on top, chia or flax seeds, bread croutons, nut butters, tofu and more in addition to a fruit base. Think of the smoothie in 5 parts to get about 500 calories (about 1/3 of meals for the day + snacks to get to 1800-2000 that most women need]: fruit, protein, complex carbs, fats, garnish.
Today’s Blend included:
- Banana [fruit, duh]
- Blackberries [fruit, duh]
- 1 cup milk [protein]
- 1/4 cup dry Quaker Old Fashioned Oats [complex carbs]
- 1/2 tbsp chia seeds [fat/protein]
- 1 tbsp sunflower butter [fat/protein]
- Cville Crunch [garnish/complex carbs/fat]
Feeling full!
More Lipton. Mom, I think I’m drinking the stash you left here for YOU the next time you visit! Oops!
Unfortunately, I slept horribly last night. I woke up with a racing mind of all the things I have to do + manage these next few days. I’m not sure if that was the cause or side effect of insomnia, but I ended up also feeling very hungry and came down to have a little bowl of granola. When I have insomnia, sometimes I think it’s good to do something different than lying in bed – so getting up, doing something, and coming back to bed often helps me get back to sleep. The snack worked! But alas, I’m tired and headachy this morning.
Sunshine = BIKING!!!
Allie@LiveLaughEat says
Oy it’s still pouring here. Share some sun with us, wouldya? The color of your smoothie is beaut!!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Your smoothies are always such pretty colors. I always add spinach, which is great (you can’t taste it!) but it makes the color a little… questionable… 🙂
I like to add protein powder for some additional bulk. Definitely going to try it out with cottage cheese next!
Blessing @ Working Mom Journal says
Love the bowls! I am trying these this weekend…the whole crunch thing I mean 😀
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
I always use protein powder in smoothies, but I’m going to have to try one like this! Protein powder is helpful – but sometimes it’s best to get it from real food!!! and that just looks delicious….
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
I love entree smoothies, that’s my ‘feel great’ breakfast 🙂 I hope you feel better today!
Rebekah @ Medicine, Munchies & Movement says
Thanks for breaking down how you make your entree smoothies! I can’t wait to experiment with my next one. Hope the move goes well this weekend!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
What a fun little bowl/mug! I like your smoothie snack/entree comparison to appetizer/entree salads. So true!
Hillary says
I plan my smoothies the exact same way. If made correctly, a good smoothie can keep me full for HOURS. Love them.
katie @KatieDid says
I can never master the entree smoothie! I wish there was some formula to a great smoothie. Mine either come out too watery, an ugly color, or just a mehh taste!
Entree salads on the other hand I have some to a T!
angela says
where is that smoothie mug from??!! I love it!!
KathEats says
It’s a Ramen Bowl – former OpenSky thing:
https://www.flavourdesign.com/product.php?ProdNo=258
Sarah@The Flying ONION says
Oh, sorry to hear about the lack of a good nights sleep. That is such a bad feeling!
But your smoothie looks pretty delish! And it’s a reminder that I really do need to get some more chias. And maybe another cute bowl too. 😀
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
That’s a neat tip about the smoothies. Because I usually don’t add anything like yogurt to my smoothies, I make sure to eat something with it that will help fill me up, like nuts or cheese. Or, I might even have a meal with it, to balance things out a bit more.
If I ever try the entree smoothies, I’ll probably try adding one bulkier ingredient first, like peanut butter, and then work my way up to adding more ingredients, like the rolled oats and chia seeds.
Ryan says
sun is still not out here in Fairfax, VA!! Booo!!!
Katie says
That big blob of Peanut butter is making me drool, haha! It just looks amazing, love blobs of nut butters ; )
Have a great day! xoxo <3
Angela @ MyPinkyToes says
I really love this idea of an entree smoothie and thinking of it in five key ingredients! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I just love that mug. I wish I had bought it when you had it on Opensky.
I love entree smoothies!
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
YUM! I always mix my nut butter into my smoothie, but it looks so pretty sitting on top like that. I love the title entree smoothie–I’ll eat them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and when it’s 115 out, sometimes I want to eat them for all three!
Katie says
I had a bit of the insomnia as well last night/early this morning. But glad the snack worked and enjoy the sun!!
Katie of Cabbage Ranch says
Now I know what we’ll be having for breakfast tomorrow morning on the ranch. Thanks for the detailed explanation and nutrition breakdown!
Faith @ For the Health says
I was shocked when I realized my smoothies clocked in at around 4-500 calories. For some – even though they’re a full meal for me – I felt like they should’ve been lighter! But I’d rather have one chalk full of nutrient-dense stuff like soy yogurt, flax and hemp than a wimpy one that’ll leave me hungry in the hour!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Glad the sun is out for you, it’s still hiding over here 🙁
Good luck this weekend with all the move stuff, it’s nice your fam is coming to help out!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Still raining like mad in my city too….sigh! Love the green bowl btw 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
The smoothie looks delish!! I am not a fan of fru-fru salads – I like mine to be enormous!! YAY for sun – it’s actually managed to come out here today too! Hope your headache subsides soon. 🙂
Jil @ Big City, Lil' Kitchen says
Such a pretty purple – mine all too often are grossss colors. They taste fantastic, but …. they have a face only a mother could love.
J3nn(Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Now I want an entree salad, lol! Size matters when it comes to salads… And smoothies!
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
Haha– I like that comparison between the salads and the smoothies– so true!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
love that bowl!
VeggieGirl says
That is the cutest mug ever! I always add more to my smoothies otherwise its just a snack!
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
I always load my smoothies up – protein powder, oats, peanut butter, bananas, milk – yum! I don’t often garnish mine, though, I have trouble getting them to be thick enough for the garnish to float.
Entree salads are a favorite of mine, too. Done right, they are delicious.
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
I slept for complete crap too. Something in the air.
Chloe (In Fine Feather) says
Hopefully you’ll sleep well in your new home 🙂 I totally understand the mind racing syndrome, and I agree it helps to get out of bed and do something different for a few minutes before I try to go back to sleep.
Johanna B says
The night before last I woke up at 2AM and couldn’t go back to sleep. Insomnia anyone? I enjoyed the extra morning time – got lots done. Last night I slept hard and didn’t want to get up this morning. Can you say happy medium?
Liz says
I did not have a good night’s sleep either… I spent the night in a hotel room & never sleep so well in when not in my own bed! I also have been on a week’s vacation from work & will have to go back tonight (3rd shift) & am soooo not looking forward to that. 😉
KathEats says
I can’t believe how many of us couldn’t sleep – lunar calendar anyone!?
sweet and savvy says
Sorry You didn’t sleep well! 🙁 today is Friday, and I’m sure you’ll accomplish everything You need! 🙂
Sarah @ Sarah's Modern Bites says
What a GREAT analogy! That is so true… I love love love salads of any kind but those fru fru salads sometimes have super bitter/grassy/weedy/stringy greens… I guiltfully adore iceburg lettuce for its crisp crunch!
That mason jar table cloth is my favorite! The colors are just so charming.
Good luck this weekend Kath! Hopefully all the dreary weather is over and it stays sunny for you all 😀
Cait's Plate says
Sorry about the poor sleep 🙁 I hate those nights. I always do a bowl of cereal as well and it usually does the trick but sometimes it’s too late and the damage is done!
Don’t worry (I know, easier said than done) – everything will somehow, someway get done!!
PS – I’m totally on board with the entree smoothie, that’s exactly what I do to bulk up my breakfasts! Nut butters, yogurts, oats, etc 🙂
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
I have never put oats into my smoothies before, I may have to try this. I find that just a normal fruit smoothie doesn’t keep me full for very long!
Melissa @ My Mango Has Roots says
I’m surprised to hear you and other commenters say all-fruit smoothies don’t fill you! I love the all-fruit smoothie, and find it keeps me as full if not fuller than others- but probably because I carry it with me and keep sipping for hours. I like them super thick, like a Jamba Juice but without the sherbet. I do put soaked chia seeds in, and find those usually make the full-feeling last a bit longer. Also, I only use a half cup of juice, the rest is a quarter cup of soaked chia and several cups of fruit. Maybe it’s all that fiber, and the strawberries are so low in calorie it add bulk and flavor without becoming a crazy meal. And if I have a fru-fru salad, I’ll usually have 4x the amount of everyone else! It does take volume to have any sense of hunger-quelling there.
KathEats says
Sipping it slowly probably does have an impact on satiety
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I like tofu in smoothies to keep me full in the morning! I’ve also been putting protein powder in mine for the texture. Makes it taste like a Wendy’s Frosty 🙂
LisaE says
Hey Kath! I just found your blog through Open Sky. Love it! I think it’s awesome that you are able to post 3x a day and you’ve been doing it for a while! That’s a lot of bloggin’… Good luck with the move!
KathEats says
Welcome!!
Marijke says
That noodle bowl is AMAZING!
(I just had to look it up to see what all the holes were for- GENIUS)
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
Hope you feel better soon! At least you had a great breakfast to start the day 🙂
Khushboo says
OMG can’t believe you posted about your snack..same thing happened to me too! I woke up at 4.30 to hunger growls so I ate a bowl of granola with milk and went back to bed…did the trick 🙂
Karen says
I hope all goes well with your move, Kath! Try to hang loose and just enjoy gathering with your friends…things will fall into place. Just think about how much fun you are going to have with this new opportunity to organize and decorate…Whee! 🙂
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
I am jealous of your sunshine. It’s still raining here in DC.
I have to add protein powder to my smoothies. I notice a huge difference in my fulfillment when I add the powder.
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I always feel like a smoothie could never fill me up if used as an entree. but now that I see your points about being sure that you have all of the necessary compenents of an entree.. in the smoothie. Smart girl!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
protein powder, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt are additions I add to smoothies to make them filling, creamy, and delicious! 🙂
Amy says
Kath, I would love to know what you think about the people out there who say that bread, grains, oats–even whole grain things–are bad for us. As an RD (and not just a bread & oats lover! 🙂 ), what is your take? I’m not sure what to think. Thanks! 🙂
KathEats says
I don’t know why a plant that provides us with complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, protein and fiber would ever be bad for us?
Amy says
Thank you for saying so! I keep reading all this stuff about how grains are killing all of us slowly but I find it so hard to believe. Plus I would never want to give up oatmeal or bread! Thanks for taking a minute to answer this, I really appreciate it.
Felicia (Natural + Balanced) says
that bowl is amazing!!
Ashley J says
Oh man I slept awful last night too!!! A nap or a walk is definitely in the works for this afternoon!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
Whenever I looked to buy that mason jar tablecloth, the etsy shop was down. Can you tell me who made it again? And if you know if they’re taking orders?
KathEats says
it’s from Oh Little Rabbit and I think they are on vacatoin
Ashley says
I know what you mean about the racing mind. It was such a stressful time back when we were moving…also because the house was half torn apart, literally. haha It will be over before you know it, and I’m sure in about 5 days you will have everything unpacked and in it’s perfect spot. However, if you don’t…just think about the fact that we have not hung 1 thing on our walls yet. 😉
Sonia (the Mexigarian) says
So that’s why entree smoothies come in bowls or large cups. Learning something new everyday 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks for smoothie tips! I’ve been looking to bulk up my smoothies a little bit so I don’t always need a snack later on in the morning after having one.
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
Entree smoothies are the best. I love adding oatmeal to my smoothies to get that lasting power. You can’t even really taste it in there, but it does add a touch of chewiness, which I like.
Margo @ Peanut Butter Trees says
I totally agree about the fru fur salads vs. meal salads and adding protein and carbs to smoothies – absolutely necessary for feeling full! Enjoy the day:)
Namaste Gurl says
SO true- I hate when people ignorantly say smoothies and salads “don’t fill them up”! It’s the ingredients they’re using that doesn’t do the trick. People really need to educate themselves! 🙂
Ellie@fitforthesoul says
that’s why I’m so thankful to be part of the blogworld and have had my eyes opened. I can see! 😀 Although food is definitely pleasurable and a great way to bond with other people, I really like to think of the nutrients I’m absorbing as well.
Shaya (Eye Girl Eats) says
Sorry you’re not feeling well 🙁 the stress gets to me sometimes too, and causes the wake-up attacks in the middle of the night!
Usually just using the bathroom and getting water or whatever helps me to feel better and get sleep.
Lindsay @ bike before bed says
Hope once you get into the groove of the day you start feeling better! I loved the smoothie tutorial. I think a lot of people forget about the carb aspect!
Dee says
I love the pictures from today! And oh, how I wish I could have grabbed a ramen bowl thing from when it was offered!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Yes, when i can’t sleep, there’s no sense just laying there…I get up and do something! However, I usually only get about 5 hours of sleep a night so when I am laying there for my 5, usually I’m out cold, asap.
But the more stress I have, the more fitfully I do sleep…hang in there Kath! 🙂
Emily says
I agree, I cannot be sustained by frou frou smoothies!! This one is much more my style 🙂 looks like a great day for the bike here, too. Can’t wait to be out of work in an hour, enjoy your day and feel better!!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Thanks for all the smoothie tips! I’ve never had one for breakfast before because I never really think of smoothies as filling. I’ll have to try this combination!
Jill says
I love your bowl/mug. You have the cutest dishes. It makes me want to go to the antique shops and see what I can find.
Angel7 says
I like fru-fru salads, but prefer more filling ones!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Lara @ TresLaLa says
Loved this post – great reminders/ideas for what to pack into my entree smoothies! Unfortunately, I’m still in weight-loss mode, so I’m only taking in about 1350 to 1500 calories per day… It’s usually a sad face when I realize what I’ve put into my smoothie or my oatmeal is more than that meal’s allotment, but worth it!
Nadia says
I love that ramen bowl! It’s beautiful! The smoothie looks pretty amazing as well.
Hannah says
I love this little primer on making smoothies more nutritious. I must admit to making fru-fru smoothies more often… probably so I can justify the half block of chocolate I eat each day in terms of balancing out, but I know deep down that’s probably not the best for me!
Nicole says
I love the break down of everything that went into the smoothie!
Shayla @ The Good Life says
I love how you explained your formula into what makes your entree smoothie! I love me an entree smoothie too, and because of you eating it from a bowl is now my fav way to eat one! Makes me feel like I’m actually eating something, as opposed to just drinking it 😉