Organic protein-drink ingredients

For the people who ask what ingredients I put in a (healthy) protein drink–and I answer, “almost anything”, I finally had the chance a while back to “line up” the ingredients that I include on a regular (morning) basis, for the past 30 years, or so–and they’re all in the picture above.

And I’ve listed them in the order that they’re put into the blender, starting with banana, since no sense putting something difficult for the blender-blades to chop up, first thing.

I eat organic, so, of course all ingredients are organic.  And most, I grow, but I can’t grow “greens” in Winter, so they come from the store.

BTW, I don’t expect anyone to use the ingredients I use for a template, since lots of people have told me I put too much FRUIT in the drink.  But I’ve been doing it for a long time, and I haven’t flopped-over-dead, yet; so I’ll probably continue.

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1. First is banana, since the blades can handle the soft texture.  One banana.
2. Next, half a normal-sized apple, definitely NOT peeled (it’s organic, eat the peel).
3. Stalk of celery, cut in small(ish) lengths, so as not to confuse the blender. 
4. Carrots–and I like small “baby” organic carrots that have washed and peeled.  Saves a lot of time.
5. Then, SOME sort of fresh, leafy greens–of course, only available from stores in Winter.
6. A dollop of yogurt.  A $5 quart of yogurt (32 ounces, 2-pound-container) lasts at least a month, so, quite inexpensive, at about 17 cents a tablespoon-dollop.  Vegans tell me, “NO, no cow stuff”.  But years ago, somebody alerted me to “LIVE” cultures in yogurt, and I was impressed.
7. Protein powder, next.  DO NOT put protein powder LAST in your drink.  It doesn’t blend well if it’s just lying on top of everything else, and it ends up like a bunch of goo sticking to the sides of the glass blender.
8. Nuts, next, always RAW and unsalted.  I buy 4 of 5 varieties of nuts, and mix them (equally) together into a container, because each nut generally has some distinct health value of its own.
9. Then, SEEDS, two kinds–Sunflower seeds and Pumpkin seeds (Pepitas), always raw
10. Now, that’s all the fresh stuff, so time to go to the Freezer, first for one large Fig or two medium Figs.  I grow them and freeze them.
11. Blackberries–which I also grow and freeze, about 12-15 of them turns the drink plenty purple.
12. Cherry tomatoes, which I also grow and freeze, 2 or 3, each.  I figure a little  extra Lycopene in the drink, can’t hurt.

What Are the Main Nutrients Found in Tomatoes? – tomatoagent.comtomatoagent.com/what-are-the-main-nutrients…Sep 22, 2024 · The primary antioxidants found in tomatoes include lycopene, beta-carotene, and various polyphenols. Lycopene is the most well-known antioxidant in tomatoes and is responsible for their red color. It has been extensively studied for its potential health benefits, including its role in reducing the risk of certain cancers, such as prostate cancer.

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That’s it, for the ingredients I use on a regular basis.  But I’m not above adding COCONUT and/or POMEGRANATE when I have the time to deal with their preparation.  

At least an HOUR to drill holes in the “eyes” of the “ripe”  coconut, drain the liquid (and drink it), then crack the coconut open with a hammer, and–the hardest part–PEEL the REALLY tough, fibrous, brown peeling from the white coconut meat pieces.

And about an hour to peel a POMEGRANATE, and remove its “arils”, put them in a plastic bag, and refrigerate them, using as many as you prefer each day, thereafter, in your protein drink.  I line a cookie-sheet with paper towels to deal with a pomegranate–and DON’T wear a white shirt (or blouse), because you WILL get squirted as you peel the fruit and remove the arils.