A low carb avocado and green tea smoothie, the ultimate post-workout recovery drink, packed with protein and anti-oxidants.
Food and fitness. My two loves; one old, one new. Food has always been a great love of mine. We go way back. Way, way back, to my infancy. Actually, that’s not strictly true, since I was one of the pickiest eaters in existence until I hit about 9 years old. Still, given that I just entered my 40s, that’s a good 31 years, a fairly long time frame for any love affair. Fitness, on the other hand, is a recently acquired passion. I always loved being active and outdoors but it wasn’t until I started running that I appreciated fitness for fitness’ sake. Feeling my legs grow stronger, my heart and lungs increasing in capacity, my mind clearing with the intensity of the exercise. That’s incredibly powerful stuff, likely to turn any girl’s head so that she falls hard and fast in love. We’re about three and a half years into our relationship, fitness and I, and I don’t see us ever breaking up. And thankfully, these two loves go well together. They get along and they even help each other out. With more fitness, I can enjoy more food. With better, healthier food, I can enjoy more fitness. What a team.
And now I get to be a part of another team, a running team. I am usually a lone runner, I train mostly by myself and I sign up for races on my own. But I’ve been invited to be a part of the Cabot Fit Team for the Beach to Beacon 10k race in Portland, Maine, and I couldn’t be more excited. I will be joining 6 other bloggers, a team captain and 2 farmers from the Cabot Creamery Coop for the race on August 3rd. This was something I saw online and applied for back in April, and I am just tickled that they chose me. Some of the other bloggers I already know (one I even know in person!) and some are completely new to me. But they are running and food enthusiasts so how could we not enjoy each others’ company?
And it’s not just about the running. If you live in New England, you know Cabot Cheese. You couldn’t possibly not know it, it’s in every grocery store dairy aisle. And it’s seriously good cheese, with some amazing flavours. Have you tried their Smoky Bacon Cheddar? Yep, it’s cheddar with bits of bacon in it, what’s not to love? Ever since my husband discovered it a few months ago, there’s always a brick in our cheese drawer. And for those who like spice, the Hot Habenero is seriously hot. Like…seriously hot. I’ve long been a fan of their products and they don’t just make cheese. Full fat Greek yogurt is hard to find but many of my local stores carry the Cabot brand.
So it’s very fitting that I am coupling this announcement with what I like to call “The Ultimate Post-Workout Recovery Shake“, made with Cabot Greek yogurt. I dreamed this one up while on a 10 mile run, when I was at that point where I could hardly wait to get home and start putting the nutrients back into my body. This was while I was still waiting to hear if I’d made the team, but I had a container of the full fat yogurt in my fridge. I knew I wanted serious protein and Greek yogurt always ups the protein game. And I love matcha powder for its antioxidant properties. I could also wax poetic about avocados for days on end, if you let me. This smoothie, shake, recovery drink, whatever you want to call it, is really good, really healthy and very satisfying. Whether you’re a runner, a gym rat, a CrossFitter or a weekend warrior, this low carb power shake will help you refuel.
Avocado Green Tea Power Shake – Low Carb and Gluten-Free
A low carb avocado green tea smoothie, packed with protein and anti-oxidants. The ultimate post-workout recovery drink! Sugar-free.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp matcha green tea powder
- 1 tbsp hot water
- 1/2 medium avocado
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 2 tsp Swerve Sweetener or granulated erythritol
- 1 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together matcha powder and hot water. Set aside.
- Cut avocado into chunks and add to blender. Add yogurt, protein powder, and sweetener.
- Add almond milk and matcha tea mixture and blend until smooth.
- Divide between two glasses and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
Serves 2. Each smoothie has 9 g of carbs and 2.5 of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 6.5 g.
This looks so great. I love to brainstorm about recipes while I run too. In fact that is one of the things I missed most about running while I was taking a break from it. It is great to be back. And I will add this recipe to my list of post-workout eats.
Congratulation Carolyn! I think it’s great Cabot sponsors such a team but am so proud of you (does that sound totally weird?!). Fitness is a way of life where I live, and your passion for it as well as your recipe would be right at home! Happy Memorial Day!
Almost all of my best ideas come to me while I’m running… or drying my hair 🙂
Great recipe!
Or in the shower…I get a lot of brainstorming down in the shower!
LoL, or dying your hair?….too funny! 😉
Carolyn, do you have the protein value on this wonderful looking shake??
Hi Dita, it’s about 15 g per serving.
Great-looking smoothie! 🙂
How exciting! Congratulations, Carolyn! This smoothie looks like the perfect thing to get you energized for the run. Thanks for sharing!
Hi there. I was just wondering where you buy our matcha gren tea powder. Our Whole Foods carries it, but I’m not sure if it’s what I’m looking for. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :0)
Yes, the stuff at whole foods is the right stuff! I’ve seen it there too. Just don’t get the pre-sweetened kind, make sure you get the plain matcha powder.
I have matcha powder that I don’t know what to do with (after a matcha cookie fiasco). And now I know what it was sitting around for.
What a great way to recover after a run or workout? Excellent recipe, Carolyn. Love smoothies with an almond milk base…and, avos in or on nearly anything! I’m with you…I get my best brainstorming from long showers or baths, too! The mind is freed to think creatively. xo
looks amazing! so healthy!
I love the title of your blog – I am right there with you, ALL DAY… I DREAM ABOUT FOOD TOO! 🙂
Made it this weekend. LOVE IT!!!!
Love the Matcha Green Tea and Avocado smoothie recipe. I love matcha tea and have not tried it in a smoothie yet. Thanks for the idea! (Great photos too!)
I love creative shake/smoothies that are also compliant with the Paleo/Primal diet. I’ve never seen matcha green tea used before but what a great idea. And with lots of healthy fat this one is sure to fill the belly for hours!
Oh man I LOVE avocado in smoothies! Makes is to smooth and creamy!!
Hi! We don’t get Avocados frequently (well, it’s almost never) here. So what can I use as substitution in this recipe?
I’ve loves several of your recipes, but this didn’t work well for me flavorwise. It is a great recovery drink, nonetheless. I want to try this again, but will not put in the sweetener. I’m wondering about a bit of ginger and maybe a green tea base instead of almond milk. I usually keep a pitcher of green tea in the fridge so I guess I’ll start with that. I really like the green tea powder addition, though.
Those sound like great changes.
How many calories are in each serving?
No idea! I don’t really count calories but you can add it into a program like my fitness pal and find out.
This is awesome. I have two little boys who LOVE the Hulk, and this would be a great treat for a summer day, thanks for sharing!
Can you substitute cold green tea in place of the powder?
I AM WONDERING ABOUT THE SWERVE AS THE LABEL SAYS IT HAS 5G of carbs per serving. Why wouldn’t you use stevia instead?
Yes, those are technically “carbs” but for most people they don’t affect blood sugar. I test my glucose and as far as my glucometer is concerned, those carbs don’t exist. They are excreted fully into the urine without ever entering the blood stream, according to research. So it is my go-to low carb sweetener. That said, you could use stevia if you wish.
Looks delish!! Cannot wait to try!
Avocado & green tea – great combination, the best!