Good morning and happy Tuesday! I feel like this start to the week has already flown by (seriously, where did Monday go?!) and I’m ready for a cucumber spinach smoothie and a lot of Β getting things done today. It kind of feels like time sped up and it’s almost April, but there are no complaints on my end! I’m a notorious winter hater, so when spring is finally showing that it really will come back to play, I’m really ready for it. Although we haven’t had the best of weather lately (i.e. lots of rain), I will say that getting up into the 40s and 50s has been something that feels wonderful. The warmer-ish weather has gotten me thinking about smoothie, berries, and all the other things that come with spring too, so a green smoothie seems like the perfect way to jump start into spring. Also, I know that not everyone out there loves bananas in their smoothies, so this banana free smoothie will be the answer to all of your banana hating problems. Cucumber brings the pack of water and hydration and spinach adds that kick of greens that I can never get enough of!
A few weeks ago, my dear sweet friend AmandaΒ wrote about her journey and struggle with ‘working out’ and finding a balance or activity that works for her. I related so much with a lot of her post, finding that I often fell into the ‘I should be doing ___’ category rather than the ‘I love doing (yoga!)’. It’s all too easy to see what others are doing and think that it’s what we should be doing or working towards too, especially when it’s entirely too easy to scroll through lots of pictures of long runs or cycling classes (nothing wrong with either one of these, just not my jam!) and think that ‘hey, I should be doing that too!’, when in reality, they aren’t the things that I truly enjoy. Running falls under the ‘things I think I should be doing’ category for me all too often. I honestly haven’t gone on a real run in months and honestly, don’t really miss it. When we first moved to Milwaukee, running was a perfect way to explore the city and see the lake in the morning, but I’ve found that over time, I developed too much pressure on myself and was mentally beating myself up over not going for a run enough, going far enough, or fast enough. It wasn’t really what I enjoyed and turned into something that felt cool to say. ‘Oh I went on a run earlier’ was something that became a kind of measuring stick for how ‘fit’ or in shape I thought I was, when really it was something that I plugged my way through just to say I had done it that day. Nowadays, I’m finding immense joy in my hot yoga classes and working on incorporating them more often into my schedule. They are something that I truly love and feel great after, even if I really didn’t want to go before. Things might change over time and I may go back to running, but I really think the important thing is that you find something that works for YOU, not what sounds like it works for everyone else. Shout out to my awesome momma who just took up zumba classes and is rocking it!
Workout talk aside, this cucumber spinach smoothie is my perfect pre or post workout snack. It’s light enough to sneak in some greens before a workout, but also hydrating as all get out, so you can replenish all that lost water afterwards. I’ve also (kind of) committed myself to drinking more greens, so this is chock full of all the good things that I might not normally get in a day. If chis seeds aren’t your thing, feel free to sub in ground flax seeds or leave them out entirely. I also have found that adding just a bit of sweetness helps bring this cucumber spinach smoothie from tasting too green, to tasting juuuuust right.
Also, on a totally different note, my best friend had a baby and I’m SO excited for her! I want to send her a sweet package of goodies to help her through this period of time, so if you are a momma, tell me your ideas! Mainly food based, obviously. xo
PrintHydrating Cucumber Spinach Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Drink, Snack
Description
A quick and green hydrating cucumber spinach smoothie that is perfect pre or post workout! Made with cucumbers, spinach, and almond milk.
Ingredients
- 1 whole cucumber
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablepsoon agave nectar
- 3–4 ice cubes
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend on high until combined. Divide evenly between 2 glasses and serve immediately.
Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek says
I am sooo with you on those yoga feels Abby. I used to go for months and months without working out because I really hated cardio and running–I felt like I was wasting my time. Now I do yoga almost every day, and I feel all-around stronger and more balanced because of it. I also used to spend every waking hour of my younger years doing ballet and other studio styles of dance, so yoga kind of harkens back to that time for me. Anyway, loving this smoothie, and I’m very excited to try! xoxo
Heart of a Baker says
I knew there was a reason we were kindred spirits! I used to do dance too and yoga has really filled that void for me π
Sarah | Well and Full says
My roommate does crossfit, 5ks, and marathons so I DEFINITELY feel the “I should be doing ___” thing too!! But actually it’s kind of inspirational to me… she motivates me to want to take charge of my health and workout more π Cheers, Abby!
Heart of a Baker says
It’s good to have motivation, but sometimes it’s hard to feel pressured to do it ALL! xoxo
whiskandshout says
This smoothie looks gorgeous! Loving your words too… I was almost grateful when my physical therapist told me not to run for cardio- was the best excuse to get out of a boring and unfun cardio rut π Pinning!
Heart of a Baker says
Yes! I haven’t really been one bit sad about stopping running ever since I got into yoga π
Sara @ Cake Over Steak says
I love that your mom just started doing zumba – My mom and I used to go together every Monday night and we LOVED it. We’ve been so sad ever since our favorite teacher left. And I hear you on this “things I should be doing” for working out stuff. It’s funny because I’m kind of the opposite. I have plans to run after work today for the first time in a while and I’m SO excited. It used to be my main form of working out but it’s hard for me to do it in the winter time. But I love it and it works for my body better than some other workouts. Yoga, on the other hand, is something I FEEL like I should do. I don’t always love it, although I’ve been enjoying my hot yoga recently. That being said, if I don’t feel like going on a Saturday morning, I just don’t go. And I try not to beat myself up about it. Ugghhhh I love working out but it’s so hard not to play mental games with yourself! This hydrating smoothie is PERFECT after something like hot yoga. π
Heart of a Baker says
Yes! Amen to that sister. That’s the thing, I like how running makes me feel after and the workout it gives me, but I hate it while I’m doing it, ha!