Ready for Energy!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I’m currently eating my way through events with family and enjoying a relaxing day off. What comes after Thanksgiving?! Black Friday, of course. Call me crazy, but I do love Black Friday Shopping and will be partaking in the madness later tonight. Each year I tend to get extremely sleepy from all the turkey, carbohydrates and sweets that are consumed. This year, in order to prepare for my shopping festivities, I’ll be preparing an energizing protein shake. When I think of energy, coconut oil and coffee instantly come to my mind. You’re probably wondering how coconut oil gives you energy. “Because coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride (MCT),” explains Registered Dietician Liza Muravyeva, “it does not have to go through the same digestion process like olive or canola oil. It is readily used by the liver for energy.”

With this shake I’ll be getting natural energy from coconut oil, caffeine from coffee, and I added in a ½ a banana to help recover from the high levels of tryptophan that are caused from eating turkey. The average person can actually burn up to 500 calories when Black Friday Shopping, so this is the perfect way to keep me going. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:

 Ingredients

1 packet instant coffee

1 cup water

1 scoop protein powder (chocolate or mocha)

1 tablespoon Kelapo Coconut Oil

½ large banana

4 oz. unsweetened almond milk

Ice to taste

Directions

1. Dissolve 1 packet of instant coffee in hot water.
2. Add coffee, protein, coconut oil, half a banana, almond milk, and ice into a blender.
3. Blend until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
4. Pour into a to-go cup and take this shake with you on the road and enjoy!

This is my twist on the bulletproof coffee that’s becoming very popular right now. I love this recipe because my coffee cravings are completely satisfied without the high calories that are found in most pre-made coffee drinks. Feel free to use flavored coffee and your favorite protein powder that is to your liking. I love the energy I get from this shake and the half of banana keeps me feeling full and satisfied. If you’re not a coffee fan, try making my pumpkin pie, banana foster, or strawberry protein shake to take with you.

-Kayla