What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – When You Don’t Have Time Edition

I probably should have titled this “What’s In My Glass” as there is nothing to put on a plate in this post, but here we go…

I have been pretty busy lately with my backyard. Buying and assembling together patio furniture; buying patio stones and sand; buying plants, mulch, soil and wood chips…and now I am at the stage of implementing my grand vision for the space. And this involves a lot of dirty, sweaty labour. That means I don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen. But a gal’s gotta keep her strength up, ya know?!?!

Bowser supervises my work in this garden bed.

It’s protein smoothies to the rescue! I am no stranger to protein powders – been using them for years – however I have never found them to be all that good at keeping my hunger at bay. But recently I tried a pre-mixed protein drink and it’s ability to keep me satisfied for hours and “going” in the garden has been nothing short of amazing to me. Thank you, Premier Protein!

The basic start to this protein smoothie.
Today’s add-ins: frozen baby spinach, collagen powder (for my aching joints ๐Ÿ˜‰), Vitamin D oil (for my sun-starved hide), peanut butter (for my soul and taste buds ๐Ÿ˜).
I like to pack in as much spinach as I dare.
Sometimes I add some ice to make it thicker and colder. Using ice from the cute silicone cube tray I scored as a freebie at Ye Olde Libations (Liquor) Store.
Blending it all together. Please excuse the state of my manicure. Yard work…what can I say? ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ
Finished peanut butter shake – Delicious! (With a many-year’s-old bubble tea straw I kept and keep re-using.) I don’t taste the spinach. Just a salty sweet peanut buttery glass of refreshment!
This meal drink snack drink is a lifesaver for when you can’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen for whatever reason. Back to the garden-in-progress!

That’s it for me for this month. Please check out Donna’s post where she presents a feast for the eyes, from her recent trip to visit her son in Hong Kong. Looking very much forward to your comments!

Here is the link to the the InLinkz party:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Rock on,

The WB

52 thoughts on “What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – When You Don’t Have Time Edition

  1. I love a protein smoothie Deb and usually make one similar to yours adding peanut butter and spinach. It’s a great way to get nutrients when we just don’t have time to cook. Thanks for hosting What’s On Your Plate? I’m linking up a Chowder recipe a la Sue x

    1. Thanks, Sue ๐Ÿ’• I agree, a great way to get some nutrition in when you donโ€™t have time/donโ€™t want to cook and sit down to a meal. I look forward to reading your post!

  2. I’ve never been able to get into smoothies Deb but I admire anyone who does, as they seem such an easy way to get extra protein. Your post shows how useful they are when working in the garden and too busy to cook!

    1. Thanks, Debbie ๐Ÿ’• They are great for those times when you are hungry but donโ€™t want/canโ€™t stop to cook and eat something. And they help me to NOT reach for those less nutritious but oh-so-accessible snacks.

    1. I’m the wrong person to talk to about InLinkz. I only add it because Donna uses it and sets it up for me. I don’t like it and I don’t use it myself. Sorry, I am no help here.

      1. I see your comment was made at around 2 am my time on the date of my post went live. It could be that Donna set the InLinkz party to open at a later time on that day.

  3. Weโ€™re still having a bit of frost in the morning so my gardening hasnโ€™t really started yet. Be sure to post pics when youโ€™re finished, Iโ€™m sure it will look great!
    I do a protein powder and fruit smoothie every morning for breakfast, though mine has flax seed, Ceylon cinnamon and almond milk. I just started taking collagen peptides. They say it takes 3 months to fully hit your systemโ€ฆ do you think it really helps ?

    1. Iโ€™ve only been using the collagen steadily for a month now so I canโ€™t sayโ€ฆmy knees seem to have stopped aching as much but is it the collagen or because I am more active (and strengthening muscles around my knees) or is it a placebo effect???? Donโ€™t really know at this stage, but I am hoping it eventually does good things for me. Yes, I am planning a whole post (or more) on the garden progress. Thanks, Rivergirl ๐Ÿ’•

  4. OMG! My go to when I can’t cook is potato chips. I know. Bad, but tasty. Somehow I have an aversion to anything green even pistachio ice cream. I will eat green veggies if they are whole. Maybe a strawberry to add more color would work for me.

    1. Iโ€™ve made mango, berry and black cherry smoothiesโ€ฆall delicious. I still pack them with spinach so they still have the green look about them. I developed a bad habit over the winter of falling into a bag of potato chips when too tired to cook something healthy. My protein smoothies keep me out of the snack cupboard. Thanks, Kate ๐Ÿ’•

        1. Seriously, girl?! You canโ€™t even taste it, and if the colour bothers you throw a beer coozey around your glass. ๐Ÿ˜ Your body might even thank you – remember Popeye the Sailor Man? ๐Ÿ’ช

  5. Oooh, I love smoothies! Delish and nutritious, and super easy/fast. I gave away my Nutri Bullet when I moved here, and I really miss it.
    And brava, Deb, on your yard! Looks impressive, and I’m sure you will love the finished product. ๐Ÿ’œ

    1. Thank you, Natalie ๐Ÿ’• I am planning on blogging about the yard when most of the big stuff is done. I only wish I had taken better/more โ€œbeforeโ€ photos!

    1. They come in a lot of flavours but I buy plain vanilla because I like how it works with my add-ins. Iโ€™ve even read of people putting coffee in them to make ice coffee/lattes – that would work good with chocolate, I think. Have fun experimenting, Jean! Thanks ๐Ÿ’•

  6. I’ve been having a protein shake for lunch for the last two weeks myself but, mine has been a mixed berry and banana shake my protein powder is a different brand but, a good one. Not chalky at all.
    I’m going to add your recipe to my list as I want to change up my shakes so I don’t get bored.

      1. Wanting to drop a few pounds Big Baby Boy got me going on the protein shakes while visiting him a couple weeks back. He made us PB2, banana, and chocolate protein powder smoothies for dessert one night. It was so good.
        I’m adding that to my smoothie line up as well. ๐Ÿ˜€

  7. I’ve never done protein drinks…but I think I should try. Maybe need to buy the bullet thingy first. I have tried a few green drinks at assorted establishments…never liked any of them. But, still, I should try.

  8. Great post, Deb! I like smoothies too but never thought of adding protein powder. I will do that next time.
    What ‘keep you going’ treat does Bowser get when he is busy helping you in the yard? <3

    1. Well, today I gave him the skin I saved from the salmon filet I cooked for myself last night. Although Bowser doesnโ€™t really need anything to keep him goingโ€ฆI need something to make him slow down because he practically knocked me down when greeting me this afternoon ๐Ÿคฃ. Thanks, Donna ๐Ÿ’•

  9. I’m already in love with your backyard! I can’t wait to see how things evolve.
    I’m not a smoothie fan, but that’s only because I don’t own a blender! Can you believe it? I think that I need to fix that.ย ๐Ÿคฃ

    1. I think you should fix that! An immersion blender is a good choice for smoothies, or the good olโ€™ Nutribullet. I donโ€™t think you need a high-end blender unless you are seriously into juicing and such. I plan to write about my back yard adventures when all the big pieces are in place. Thanks, Kari ๐Ÿ’•

  10. Mona R McGinnis

    You inspired me. Lunch was a smoothies with almond beverage, vanilla yogurt, banana, raspberries & butternut squash. Yu!mmy

  11. I’m so excited about your garden area(s)!! I wish I was there to help; it’s gonna be lovely.
    I drink the Premier Protein shakes (chocolate) after my gym workouts; they’re tasty.
    Thanks for the giggle: “for my soul and taste buds”. I love PB so much!

    1. Thank you, Suz ๐Ÿ’• I am excited too. I wouldnโ€™t make you work in my garden, but I might make you a cocktail (elderberry gin and tonic with lime is my current favourite) or a peanut butter and chocolate protein shake ๐Ÿ˜ and we could sit on my new patio furniture and overlook my queendom ๐Ÿ‘ธ๐Ÿ˜‰.

  12. Love the concept, Deb, but don’t know if I could face green liquid before midday . . . That said, once upon a time I started the day with protein powder, milk, a banana & peanut butter. And a bran muffin. ๐Ÿ˜‰ ๐Ÿฅค

  13. Collagen powder? Well that’s a new one for me. My joints ache, I’ll be on the lookout for it. Also, spinach in a smoothie = yum. One of the best newer uses for spinach.

    1. You canโ€™t go wrong throwing spinach in a smoothie, in my opinion! It might be too early to call, but it seems to me that my knees have not been aching for the last few daysโ€ฆ6 weeks in to using collagen. Thanks, Ally ๐Ÿ’•

  14. Ooo I shall be looking out for the updates on your yard makeover. I need to do some patio areas but donโ€™t know where to start. I used to make a berry smoothie and added a couple of spoons of porridge oats which helped me fill up.

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  17. I will look for those protein drinks. I usually use protein powder. I can’t say I have them often, and mine are always raspberry based as I have SO many raspberries and love them. Bernie

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