drinks + potables/ recipes

Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina

Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipe

When I was a senior in college, I used to work out at least once or twice every day. Usually in the morning before class I would go swimming (for which I would usually drag one of my friends along… hey Jon), then in the evenings I would do my cardio + lift. Looking back now, I honestly have no idea where all that energy came from. ALTHOUGH, working out does increase your energy levels, so perhaps it was an iterative process (read: the more I worked out, the more energy I had to work out).

Unfortunately, in the ~real world~ I don’t have as much time to go to the gym. Not to mention the fact that it’s really. freakin. hard. to muster the energy to work out after you’ve had a 10-hour, stressful, hectic workday. (And also there is a 0% chance I will get up at 5 AM to workout. It’s just not happening). And I keep telling myself: Sarah, if you go to the gym, you’ll have MORE energy so then it will be easier for you to work out! But I’ll get home from work and sit down for one second, and just pass out from exhaustion. And as much as I’d like to think of myself as a hardcore, “no excuses!!!” type of person, BEING A GROWN-UP IS REALLY HARD.

Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipeVanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipe

Ahem. Luckily, I’ve been starting to become better friends with an awesome coworker I have, whose dad is actually a strength and conditioning coach. She played sports in college, and knows a hell of a lot more about working out and lifting than I do. But seriously though, this gal is bada$$. We went to the gym together the other day, and I asked her to show me the proper form for deadlifting. And she goes over and just casually deadlifts 100+ lbs (that’s not even her PR), while my Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipeweenie muscles are shaking with the effort of lifting up the bar with no weights attached. But despite the disparity in weight-lifting abilities, I had an absolute blast working out with her, and we’re going to start going to the gym together more often. Which, I think, is really the key to getting motivation to work out – it’s so much more fun to exercise when you have an awesome friend to go with (especially one who knows her stuff!). Although, to be fair to myself, through my yoga-ing I do have a pretty strong core. Can’t do a headstand without them abs!

Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipeVanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipe

But what good is a kick-butt workout, you may ask, without the proper nutrition? This is where I *casually* segue over to this delicious, vanilla mint superfood smoothie that’s made with the Vega One Nutritional Shake. As a vegan, it’s really important to me that I’m getting complete proteins every day (meaning they have all 9 essential amino acids), in addition to other crucial nutrients like Vitamin B12. In fact, before I went vegan, I made sure I researched ways I could get these nutrients, since they are usually found in animal products. That’s how I came across Vega – a company that makes plant-based nutritional supplements + shakes that carry a full spectrum of nutrients. I mean, look at what’s in one serving of the Vega One shake:

// 20 g of Protein (!!!)

// 6 Servings of greens

// Fiber + Omega-3s

// 45% DV Vitamin B12

// Antioxidants

// Probiotics (yaasss)

Basically, it contains everything good in the world. I put at least half a scoop of the powder in any smoothie I make, so I can say from experience that this works great as a pre-workout or post-workout snack. For this specific smoothie recipe, I’d probably have it as a pre-workout snack due to the banana action going on in there. Bananas are a great way to get healthy, fast-acting carbs before a workout, giving you plenty of energy to get #biggains!! (I can’t believe I just said that).

But if this smoothie wasn’t awesome enough on its own, Vega has sent along a FREE 14-week strength + conditioning OR running plan, that you can sign up for here. I must say, these plans are pretty awesome… I signed up for the strength + conditioning plan, and I’ve gotten free recipes, playlists to jam out to while I’m working out, and even grocery lists to help me plan ahead for the week. And it’s completely free, so it’s really a no-brainer ;)

Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipeVanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipeVanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipe

Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothie w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipe

Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina

These delicious, superfood smoothies are full of healthy carbs to get you energized for a workout, plus healthy antioxidants and nutrients to keep you going!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Medium Bananas frozen
  • 2 Cups Almond Milk
  • 4 Tbs French Vanilla Vega One Powder
  • 2 Tbs Fresh Peppermint Leaves
  • 1 Tsp Spirulina Optional, but it gives this smoothie its beautiful color!

Instructions
 

  • Prep your bananas by slicing them into thin rounds and freezing overnight.
  • In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint and enjoy!

Vanilla Mint Superfood Smoothies w/ Spirulina | Well and Full | #vegan #plantbased #recipe

P.S. This post was sponsored by Vega, but all opinions are my own. I’m thrilled to support companies that I love! :)

Song of the Day:

If I Could Change Your Mind – HAIM

22 Comments

  • Reply
    Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health
    July 28, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    this is such a pretty looking smoothie! i am always looking for different protein powder to try, never tried vega though.

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      July 28, 2015 at 7:46 pm

      They’re amazing! I’ve been using their products for a few years now. My favorite flavor is coconut almond, but I don’t think it’s being sold in all stores in the US yet. But the french vanilla flavor I used in this smoothie is pretty bangin’ too ;)

  • Reply
    Sophie | The Green Life
    July 28, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    What a gorgeous looking smoothie!!
    I love adding spirulina to my smoothies too…it always makes them look so pretty. :)

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      July 28, 2015 at 8:51 pm

      I know, it’s such a lovely color, isn’t it?? :)

  • Reply
    genevieve @ gratitude & greens
    July 29, 2015 at 9:56 am

    The colour of these smoothies is insane!! I love adding spirulina to my raw nana ice cream or smoothies, too. Not only does it give me an extra boost but the colour is always super pretty. I’ve only tried Vega once but have never bought it for myself- probably because I have been a bit lazy with my exercise routine. When I started working it was really hard for me to get in the routine of exercising, but eventually I just took my gym bag and yoga mat to the office so I could go before/after. And then konk out on the couch when I got home! Love the song of the day- HAIM is one of my favourite bands! I saw them live and they were SO good!

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      July 29, 2015 at 10:11 am

      WHAT you got to see HAIM live?? That’s awesome!! But I hear you on the whole work/exercise thing – it’s so hard to fit all that stuff into a day! For me it’s especially hard because I also have to factor in my little pup, she has to get attention too!

  • Reply
    Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir
    July 29, 2015 at 11:35 am

    I feel you…adult life is hard! And it goes so fast! August, at the end of this week?…Say what?!

    Anyways…ranting here. But that color is gorgeous. It’s hard to come across such a aqua-like vibrancy in nature. Love it!

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      July 29, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      RIGHT! I was just saying to my coworker today that I couldn’t believe that it’s almost August. I feel like as a kid, I used to get so annoyed when adults would complain how fast time goes by. But now that I’m actually an adult, I realize that the phenomenon is real!!

  • Reply
    Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation
    July 29, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    Great to see you are as mad about green juices and smoothies as I am :)
    I LOVE practicing yoga before work, even now that I’m a grown up. It just happens that as a parent it’s really the only time of the day I can work out)
    Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe and thanks again for visiting The Little Plantation :)

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      July 29, 2015 at 9:14 pm

      That’s awesome that you’re able to fit your practice in before work! :) And yesss to green juices and smoothies that keep us going ;)

  • Reply
    Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
    July 30, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Yay for finding motivation to work out, and for this glowing superfood smoothie! So many happy vibes in this post. Love it, Sarah!

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      July 30, 2015 at 11:07 am

      Thanks Jessie! With all my health issues it’s been hard getting back into the swing of things (especially fitness-wise) but I’m excited to start getting back on track :)

  • Reply
    Vivian
    July 31, 2015 at 12:16 am

    LOVE the color – the smoothie looks so delicious. And yeah, I agree. The more I work out, the more energy I have. I’m starting my college senior year. I better enjoy my workouts before life gets real haha

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      July 31, 2015 at 8:05 am

      Best of luck on your senior year of college, Vivian! It goes by SO FAST so enjoy every moment :) Especially your workouts!! ;)

  • Reply
    Solamita
    July 31, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    Hi Sarah! I just discovered your beautiful blog now and bookmarked it :) and I am definitely trying this vanilla mint smoothie! :)

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      July 31, 2015 at 3:03 pm

      Thank you so much, Solamita! :) I’m so glad you stopped by!

  • Reply
    Izzy @ She Likes Food
    August 1, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    I hear ya! I can’t seem to get the energy to wake up early and work out and I certainly am not going to work out after a long day! And then on the weekends I want to do fun things! One of these days I’ll get back into working out, hopefully! This is one beautiful shake! That color is crazy pretty :)

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      August 2, 2015 at 11:32 am

      Thanks, Izzy! And trust me, I know how hard it is to fit in time to workout… I give most of the credit to my gal pal who’s kicking my butt over to the gym ;)

  • Reply
    Rachel
    August 3, 2015 at 7:41 am

    5 stars
    Oh that colour is absolutely divine! I can never get used to the taste of spirulina, but something tells me this smoothie might be a good way to overcome that fear!

    • Reply
      WellAndFull
      August 3, 2015 at 8:14 am

      You really can’t taste the spirulina at all! Just minty vanilla goodness ;)

  • Reply
    Lilly
    November 22, 2015 at 6:00 am

    The colour of this is just stunning – funny how colours can stir an emotional response in us, even in food. This drink makes me feel both peaceful and energised just by looking at it :)

    • Reply
      Sarah
      November 22, 2015 at 10:43 pm

      Colors are potent to be sure! I love green things, to me they’re full of vitality and life! :D

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