Before we get started, I should give a little explanation as to title of this blog. My favorite part of science is getting to combine a bunch of things and see what happens. This is endless fun for me, whether those things are 18M sulfuric acid and 2-butanone or avocados and vanilla whey protein. For this reason, I consider myself a mad scientist and I love it.
All of these recipes were pulled together by me rifling through the pantry and refridgerator and seeing what might taste good combined with this or that. A lot of my food preparation is improvisation and what-ifs, just like the scientific method (but with way less formality). And the great thing about this improvisation for you, dear reader, is that you can adapt my recipes however you like to fit your diet, lifestyle, budget, or readily-available ingredients. Allons-y!
Ingredients
1/2 of an avocado
2-3 tbsp ground almonds
1 cup milk
1/8 cup chia seeds
1 scoop vanilla-flavored protein powder (whey or plant-based)
several ice cubes
Optional: 1 tsp agave nectar
Directions
Blend to your heart's desire. Or for about 30 seconds to create a smooth, frothy shake.
Modifications
All of my recipes can be adapted to be vegan. Also, if you are not blessed with a nut grinder and have difficulties pulverizing almonds, that is fine. In either case, I recommend using almond milk instead of ground almonds or any other kind of milk (just use about 1/4 cup more). You will find that the combination of the almond and vanilla flavors make for an authentic vanilla milkshake taste.
If you are allergic to/hate avocados, you can certainly use a whole banana instead. I personally do not digest bananas well, so you will probably not see them in any of my recipes. Avocados contain almost as much Potassium as bananas and they create the same creamy texture as bananas; the right flavoring will prevent the whole shake from tasting like guacamole.
In defense of the avocado
Aside from their silky texture, avocados provide many benefits to a post-workout milkshake or any shake for that matter. They are fabulous sources of monounsaturated fats, which are considered "good" fats as they help your body process the not-so-good fats. They are a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and folate and they also contain a small helping of complete protein with all of the essential amino acids! They are low on the glycemic index and are moderately anti-inflammatory, which is ideal in the short term for post-workout muscle soreness and in the long term for the prevention of cancer. I could go on, but if you are not allergic to it, I highly recommend incorporating a little more avocado into your life.
Why is this milkshake only post-workout?
This milkshake is ideal mainly for consumption after a high impact workout. These workouts can lead to muscle damage and you want to consume something afterward with lots of complete protein to aid in the repair of your muscles. (This also helps you build lean muscle in the long run if you stick with such a regimen.) However, this milkshake contains over 25g of protein, and the human body can only process about 25-30g of protein at a time, so you do not want to push it. If your body is not in immediate need of muscle repair, I would not recommend consuming something so high in protein as it will take a long time to process. (In other words, I would not recommend consuming this shake if you have not just completed a high-impact workout.)
All of this, of course, depends on the protein powder you use, but a scoop of many whey or plant-based powders out there does provide a generous helping of protein. To be safe, check out the serving size and nutrition facts on your bottle.
Please feel free to comment on this post about anything mentioned herein. I am always open to corrections and constructive criticism. For now, happy mixing!
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