Since I can remember, I’ve always been athletic.  Whether it’s watching sports, taking part in sports, or chasing my big brother around, for as long as I can remember I’ve had a passion for competition, physical activity and pushing myself.

Example – an anecdote: in the first few months of Pete and I dating we ventured out to Boulder to climb Mt. Sanitas.  As we began the short hike up to the summit there was a gigantic boulder – almost 2 stories high – that I immediately felt the need to climb up.  While Pete initially didn’t question my motives, I scrambled up to the top, took in the amazing view and then quickly came back down.  Pete asked me, and I quote, “was that fun?”  That question still eats at me today.  It was definitely a loaded question.  At the time I simply laughed, said, “ummm, YEAH,” and then proceeded to lead the hike up to the summit a bit quicker than he would have liked, heehee!

Any-hoo, the point that I’m trying to get at is the fact that little things like my need to climb up a massive boulder, or chasing my brother around, or getting as close to the edge as dangerously possible (sorry Mom) are simply tips of the iceberg.  The small moments in our lives – whether we’re 5 years old or 55 years old -carry deeper meanings and motives that lead us to the passions that we have now.  I may not have been able to tell Pete why I wanted to climb up a massive boulder, but I can tell him the amazing feeling it is to summit a 14er.  Sure, when I was younger I chased my older brother around like it was my job.  Well, I do the same thing now, but instead of chasing him around the block and stealing his transformers I try to keep up with him in races and riding up and down mountains.

Okay okay, I’m awful at sporadic tangents.  I thought maybe writing my thoughts down would help, apparently not.  I swear I’m like that silly search-engine overload commercial where specific words lead to completely different topics.

Yep, that’s me.  Did you say steak?  Where was I going with that story?  Oh yeah, I was going to start off by explaining how I’ve always been athletic and that I’ve tried a ridiculous amount of post-exercise recovery drinks, bars and supplements (you see, you see how I got distracted there?).  I feel like I’ve tried them all, and because my athletic and exercise motives have changed dramatically from the days of high school swimming and basketball to the U of M Rugby team to ultra-endurance events, I’ve definitely had to change the way I supplement my training.

It’s taken years of experimenting, but I’ve finally discovered the recipe to create delicious and nutritious protein shakes!  I went for a group run last Friday and made some protein shakes afterwards that received rave reviews, which is why I figured I’d share.  They’re super easy to  make and will amp up your nutrition and recovery time.

Ingredients:

• Frozen fruit (this can be ANY fruit – mixed, berries, etc.)
• Banana (get yo’ potassium!)
• Udo’s Oil (amazing blend of plant-based omega fatty acids that will help speed recovery and help with joint health)
• Protein powder (I’ve been loving Syntha-6, but you can use what you like)
• Recovery powder (I love AfterShock – it has more supplements in it to aid in recovery, which is something I’ve been lacking in the past.  This is definitely optional to add though.)
• Coconut juice or water (just to make it smoother)