Dimensions Weekly Mens Lifestyle Magazine

It's 6:47am. Already hit snooze twice. Biz dinner tonight. No chance for a pm workout. It's now or never, but will you even be awake by the time you get to the gym?

Fuel it with my Pre-Workout Smoothie. I'm a big fan of the smoothie as a quick and easy meal or snack, and make countless of variations depending on what the bod needs at a particular time. Use the recipe below not only before a workout, but also after a workout, for breakfast, sweet fix, or anytime you're starved and short on time. While this looks lengthy, 90% of this article is explaining why this smoothie rocks. Try it . It's tastier and more nutritious than any ready-to-drink shake. I know you boys want something quick and easy. If I can dress, blend and be out the door in three minutes, so can you!

It provides a good balance of natural protein (36g) and carbs (21g), 30% daily recommended value of calcium, potassium and Vitamins B6 and C and caffeine - assuming you need the lift. The four green teabags in total contribute 80mg of caffeine (about the amount in a cup of coffee) and several polyphenols, the potent antioxidants, including epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), responsible for speeding metabolism, improving memory function, slowing the aging process and the other green tea bennies we've been hearing so much about. I've also been adding cinnamon since this super-spice is being hailed with anti-cancer causing properties, and linked with lowering blood sugar levels and soothing the stomach.

The exact recipe below yields a smaller smoothie just (310 calories) for the (obvious) intention that you not vomit during your workout, but feel free to increase to a full cup of yogurt, a handful of almonds, a full cup of berries and the whole banana for a more voluminous meal. If you prefer to use ripe berries, your smoothie will be more watery, so add more ice to get the satiating thickness of the original (think sherbet).

INGREDIENTS:
* ½ banana (past-ripe w/ brown spots; they're sweeter and easier to blend)

* ½ cup 0% Greek yogurt

* 1 cup chilled concentrated green tea* [Pour 1 cup boiling water over 4 green teabags in heat-safe mug or bowl. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Press and remove teabags. Cover and chill in fridge].

* 2 scoops (1 oz) Biochem Vanilla Greens and Whey protein powder

* 1 tbsp slivered raw almonds

* ¾ cup frozen mixed berries (any combo: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries & strawberries)

* Dash of cinnamon

* 5 large ice cubes or ½ cup crushed ice, if you're working with a sub-par blender.

DIRECTIONS:
Put the ingredients in your blender, ideally, in this order as the moisture hitting the blade first lubes it for crushing the ice and berries. Blend. Add a bit more liquid if the blades get stuck.

*If you are sensitive to caffeine or it's just too late in the day, use decaffeinated green teabags. You will still get the antioxidant benefits of green tea.

Whitney M. Cole is a certified personal trainer, Pilate's practitioner and nutrition counselor, and your triple-threat in the fight against fat. She inspires clients to achieve their fitness potential by developing no-fail total-body conditioning and diet plans, locally in Los Angeles and virtually (everywhere!) at www.whitneymcole.com. Whitney is also a recognized Fitness Expert on Diet.com and Health Maven on Wellsphere.com. Weight-loss, strength, definition, flexibility, abs of steel...whatever your motivation, helping you reach it and relish the confidence of accomplishment is Whitney's.

Got a diet or nutrition question for Whitney? Send it to whitney@dimensionsweekly.net to see it answered in the next Dimensions Weekly.

-DW | Health & Fitness

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