WIAW #21: Mixed Veggie Protein Smoothie and Papaya Seed Salad for Fun Fitness Food

This summer is zooming by faster than you can say…ummm…zoom. That was bad, sorry. Anyway, although I’m not in school or anything, I can’t believe it’s almost “Back-To-School” season again! Once school’s in session, that means a longer commute to work though…bleh.


If you read my blog often, you probably know I like to puree random fruits and veggies to make creamy protein smoothies. I normally have some type of winter squash that I will steam and use for my smoothies, but lately I’ve been trying to branch out and try other things. Plus, sometimes you just don’t feel like cutting a big squash in half, scooping the seeds, cooking, and removing the skin every weekend.


So far I have used steamed rhubarb with strawberries which, obviously, made a very red but delicious smoothie. I’ve also tried green beans (not too bad), yellow summer squash (steamed and raw), and zucchini. Although it’s hard to beat pureed butternut squash for a super thick and delicious protein smoothie, I would (and do) use all of the above again.

It works for pies! Why not protein smoothies too?

This is a great way to pack in extra veggies while having a healthy dessert too. Stevia, frozen bananas or berries, peanut butter, and cinnamon can truly make the best tasting concoctions in my opinion; what do you think? Here’s one of my latest mixes with peas, carrots, tofu, vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, stevia, and cinnamon. Like my cup and green koozie? This is my favorite way to eat my mixes; stick in the freezer for a while and enjoy with a spoon!

Another favorite of mine is to add fresh, pepper papaya seeds on my salad. Have you ever tried papaya seeds? They are not fruity at all and have a very strong pepper taste that is perfect on salad. I bet they’d pair well with a baked white fish or in a cold grain salad dish too.

In the fitness department, I’m making sure to keep it fun and varied with a mix of heavy barbell lifting, high-rep dumbbell DVD exercises, running, and swimming. I almost forgot, mowing the lawn with a reel mower twice a week ain’t no walk in the park either! Yes, I said “ain’t”; being a Texan allows me this right.


I love all of the workout circuits other bloggers have been posting and the ones all over Pinterest too. Just reading through them all is fun and makes me want to jump and do one right then. I like the ones with added weights over bodyweight circuits. Which ones, if any, do you prefer?


Sprinting makes up a lot of my running, but I’ve switched to swim sprints for variety and just more enjoyment. Nothing like some heavy lifting followed by a quick swim in the pool! Since my current goal is strength, I try not to go overboard on cardio, but I don’t feel complete without it. I guess I could just eat more. Think pea and carrot smoothies will help me get there?

Happy What I Ate Wednesday and as always, thanks to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting this fun blog event!

[B] Steamed veggies and tuna; rooibos tea mixed with black Tea (thanks to my Foodie Penpal!)

[S] Cut fresh red pepper and fennel with green tea

[L] Tuna-Millet Green Bean Salad

[Workout] Barbell Power Clean, Supreme 90 video, and mowing with a reel mower

[D] Gianormous salad with papaya seeds and sautéed bay scallops (you can’t see the scallops, but they’re there!) and homemade lentil veggie salsa; [D2] Veggie black bean peanut butter dip mixed with Chobani plain Greek yogurt, and pistachios; Pea, Carrot, and papaya protein smoothie; I added CHO on top later

My Lentil Veggie Salsa before the processor

I'm thinking about following the Supreme 90 Workout videos all the way through and give the barbell a break.  What do you think about this change?  It's hard to give up the barbell as it just feels good, but these videos can really work you if you use heavy dumbbells! Stay tuned for updates!

I stress way too much about working out b/c I don't ever feel like I do enough.  Really, my body is screaming at me to rest.

Q: Are you following a certain plain or just taking it day by day?

Q2: Do you have trouble giving your body a break or do you look forward to the rest day every week?