You guys, this smoothie . . . honestly, I have no words!

Subtly sweet, seriously creamy, spiked with the perfect hit of vanilla, a hint of minty freshness & it’s choc-full of choc chips!

You can’t beat a classic like cookies and cream & adding a touch of matcha, a hint of mint + some extra chocolate = best idea, ever!

A matcha made in heaven! Sorry #notsorry it had to be done!

Not only does it taste incredible but, it also packs a nutritional punch!

It’s rich in antioxidants, high in calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron & fiber.

It’s a natural anti-inflammatory!

Great for stabilizing blood sugar, balancing hormones, enhancing mood, aid concentration & restoring energy levels (both mental & physical).

And, it’s packed with protein & gut healing goodness!

Super smoothie say whatt?!

So much goodness in one pretty little cup!

Healthified or not, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate St Patricks day or just kick start your day than with a cup of this deliciousness!

You in?! Of course you are, you’re cool like that!

Gluten Free – Dairy Free (if you want) – BANANA FREE (!!) – DATE FREE – Sugar free –  Low carb – Paleo – Keto – 100% vegan friendly! But most importantly it really tastes like an absolute dream and St Patricks day celebrating or not, you need it in your life because, yum!

From my heart to yours, enjoy xo

* I love Macro Mike plant based almond protein powder . Its gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, boosted with pre & probiotics & truly tastes all kinds of incredible. Its hands down without question the smoothest, most delicious, elite tasting protein power (plant based/dairy free or otherwise!!) I have ever tried. And I have tried A LOT!  Use AMB-EM to get a cheeky discount of you want to try it

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Question of the day –

Festive smoothie yay or nay?! What’s your go-to smoothie combo?

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make your secretly healthy, sugar-free gingerbread latte  (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to

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The post Healthy Shamrock Shake! first appeared on Better with Cake.

It’s that time again, time for another round of fit Friday fun and boy are we going to have some fun today!

Today I’m sharing a short, sharp tummy toning workout that you can do anytime, anywhere in just 10 minutes , no equipment required – what do you say, are you in?

Nothing complicated, basic movements done with good form for a short but effective workout that will leave you feeling strong, energized and ready to take on the rest of your day.

We will do – 7 of my favorite exercises to focus on tightening, toning and strengthening your core click here to see a demo of each exercise/ workout with me  – ;

Sit Up
Reverse crunch
Heel Tap
Plank with hip dip
Up & Down plank
Russian twists

Aim to do 10 reps of each exercise (count reps per side for dips, taps, up down plank & twists) ) and repeat the entire sequence through for a total of 3 rounds – resting as needed.

*BONUS BURNOUT ROUND*

If you have time (& are feeling up to it – grab a timer, get into a plank position & hold it, for as long as possible, with good form!

Remember, we want quality not quantity, always! Never compromise your form, ever! If your form starts to fail your done, got it?

Take your time, concentrate, focus and breathe through each and every exercise. You are strong, you are amazing, you have big energy! You’ve totally got this!

And because nothing makes a workout challenge more fun than getting a virtual / social distance buddy to join you. Why not grab your BFF or a family member or your fave workmate and have them join you, power in numbers baby!

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how you did once you’re done. Either leave me a message in the comments below, or you can give me a shout on the Facebook page or tag me (@EmSwanston) on Twitter , or Instagram (@emsswanston) . I mean it, I wanna hear how you did!

Ok enough chit chat time to work –

10 minute Abs

As always make sure you are nice an warm before you start your workout – Run on the spot, do jumping jacks, jump rope, dance around your living room, anything to get you warm then it’s time to get serious.

Finish with a nice little cool down and stretch, maybe take a walk or something anything to help bring your heart rate down. Finish with a few of your fave stretches. Please don’t skip the stretch people, its like dessert for the body.

Now for our smoothie recipe . . .

How does a nice tall, subtly sweet, deliciously indulgent,  secretly healthy, seriously chocolaty, choc fudge cookies and cream crunch shake sound?

You guys, this smoothie, so, SO delicious!

You just can’t beat a classic like cookies and cream and adding some extra chocolate in to the mix takes it to a whole new level!!

And, it also happens to be good for you!

Packed with protein, high in magnesium and loaded with gut healing goodness!

Not that anyone would know! I won’t tell if you don’t!

It’s subtly sweet, decadent and rich, luscious and creamy, seriously chocolaty and choc full of choc chips!

And, not only does our delicious, nutritious, smoothie like straight up dessert but, it also happens to be Dairy free (if you want),  BANANA FREE, DATE FREE, Sugar free, Low Carb, Vegan, Keto and Paleo friendly – so much to love I tell you and love it you will!

It really is simply divine, the perfect way to treat yo’ self on this fabulous Friday – or anytime because, yummmmm.

Sugar Free Choc Fudge Cookies & Cream Crunch Shake
Makes 1 shake

Ingredients –

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice) – more or less to desired consistency

1 teaspoon of sugar free vanilla creamer – or regular vanilla

1-2 Tablespoons of cacao – depending on how rich and chocolaty you want it.
I do 1/2 cacao & 1/2 sugar free choc creamer

1 Tablespoon of cashew butter – sub 2 Tablespoons of raw cashews, soak in boiling water for 10 minutes before blending if you don’t have a high powered blender

1 Tablespoon of choc chips (or cacao nibs)

1/4-1/2  cup of ice – more or less to desired consistency.

NOTE – If you prefer a sweeter shake, add 1/2-1 tsp monk fruit sweetener, a few drops of liquid stevia, maple syrup, honey or sweetener of choice to taste – I didn’t add any.

If I’m serving as a breakfast shake I like to add as sachet of Before you speak coffee.  high performance coffee – mocha is my fave in this recipe – EMS10=10% off if you want to try it. You really, REALLY do!

Optional add ins;

1 Tablespoons of melted dark chocolate to swirl your glass  – pure happiness

1 teaspoon of maca – for hormone balance

1-2 scoops of  collagen – for gut healing goodness

1 scoop protein powder  – for extra protein – I used chocolate

Method –

1 – Place all smoothie ingredients into your blender and process until smooth, creamy and well combined.

2 – Pour into a chilled glass or mason jar then top with toppings of choice.

Enjoy xo

Don’t forget to give me a shout out when you’re done – hit me up in the comments below via the Facebook page on Twitter or on Instagram

Now go, and remember;

and have yourself a killer day xoxo

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Question of the day –

What’s workouts are you loving lately?

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make this smoothie (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to

__________________________________________

The post Sugar Free Choc Fudge Cookies & Cream Crunch Shake & A 10 min Ab workout first appeared on Better with Cake.

It’s been a minute since we had ourselves a solid shoulder session so today I’m thinking  it’s time , what do you say, are you in?!

Today I’m sharing a short, sharp, shoulder sculpting workout that  you can get in and get done in just 15 minutes !

Yes my friend you read that right, just 15 minutes!

But, believe me when I say this workout is no joke, just because it’s short doesn’t mean it’s not effective, trust me . . . when you’re done with this workout, your heart rate will be pumping, endorphin’s flowing, metabolism firing and um your arms may feel a little like jelly, FYI . . .

. . . you have been warned.

But, this short, sharp shoulder sculpting workout will also  leave you feeling strong and energized ready to take on the rest of your day!

So, here’s what we are going to do –

6 execises;

Front Raise
Lateral Rise
Reverse Flu
Bicep Curl
Arnold Press
Tricep Dips

We will aim to do 10 reps of each exercise  then repeat the entire sequence through for a total of 3 rounds, resting as needed sound good?

Nothing overly complicated, basic movements done with good form for a short but effective shoulder sculpting workout.

Grab yourself a weapon of choice – a set of dumbbells, kettlebells, your EmPack,  resistance bands or a combination would work. Just make sure you choose something appropriate for your strength but, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.

Although, we want quality not quantity, always! Never compromise your form, ever! If your form starts to fail your done, got it?

Take your time, concentrate, focus and breathe through each and every exercise. You are strong, you are amazing, you have big energy! You’ve totally got this!

And because nothing makes a workout challenge more fun than getting a buddy to join you. Why not grab your BFF or a family member or your fave workmate and have them join you, power in numbers baby!

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how you did once you’re done. Either leave me a message in the comments below, or you can give me a shout on the Facebook page or tag me (@EmSwanston) on Twitter , or Instagram (@emsswanston) . I mean it, I wanna hear how you did!

Ok enough chit chat time to work –

– 15 Minute –
Shoulder Sculpt

As always make sure you are nice an warm before you start your workout – Run on the spot, do jumping jacks, jump rope, dance around your living room, anything to get you warm then it’s time to get serious.

Finish with a nice little cool down and stretch, maybe take a walk or something anything to help bring your heart rate down. Finish with a few of your fave stretches. Please don’t skip the stretch people, its like dessert for the body.

Now for this weeks smoothie recipe . . .

How does a nice tall, light, fresh, creamy, dreamy, secretly healthy, choc mint cookies & cream shake sound?

Think traditional vanilla bean cookies and cream ice cream meets mint choc chip in one delicious cup!   This flavor combination is BAE’s absolute fave – and it passed her very in depth analytical test with flying colors!

Subtly sweet, deliciously creamy, choc full of choc chips, swirled with vanilla and a hint of minty freshness.

And, not only does our delicious, nutritious, pretty little dessert inspired smoothie like straight up dessert but, it also happens to be Dairy free (if you want),  BANANA FREE, DATE FREE, refined sugar free, Low Carb, Vegan, Keto and Paleo friendly – so much to love I tell you and love it you will!

It really is simply divine, the perfect way to treat yo’ self on this fabulous Friday – or anytime because, yummmmm.

 

Choc Mint Cookies & Cream Shake
{Dairy Free – BANANA FREE – DATE FREE – Refined Sugar Free – Low Carb – Vegan – Keto – Paleo Friendly}
Makes 1 all natural, creamy, dreamy, subtly sweet, deliciously indulgent, secretly healthy super smoothie

Ingredients –

1/2 cup vanilla coconut yogurt (or  Greek style yogurt)

3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)

1 Tablespoon (firmly packed) of fresh mint leaves – or 1/4 tsp peppermint extract or 1 drop peppermint oil – more or less to taste

1 Tablespoon of choc chips (or cacao nibs)

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1/4-1/2  cup of ice – more or less to desired consistency.

Optional add ins;

1 Tablespoons of melted dark chocolate to swirl your glass  – pure happiness

1 Tablespoon of cashew (or coconut butter) butter – sub 2 Tablespoons of raw cashews, soak in boiling water for 10 minutes before blending if you don’t have a high powered blender – healthy fats for brain function but also makes it extra lush.

1 teaspoon of maca – for hormone balance

1-2 scoops of Vital proteins unflavored collagen peptides – for an extra boost of protein and gut healing goodness

1 scoop protein powder  – for extra protein ( I think vanilla or unflavored would work in this recipe)

Method –

1 – Place all smoothie ingredients into your blender and process until smooth, creamy and well combined.

2 – Pour into a chilled glass or mason jar then top with toppings of choice – I use coconut shreds, cacao nibs (or a shaving or dark chocolate) always.

Enjoy xoxo

Don’t forget to give me a shout out when you’re done – hit me up in the comments below via the Facebook page on Twitter or on Instagram

Now go, and remember;

and have yourself a killer day xoxo

_________________________________________

Question of the day –

What’s workouts are you loving lately?

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make this smoothie (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to

__________________________________________

The post Choc Mint Cookies & Cream Shake + A 15 Minute Shoulder Sculpting Workout first appeared on Better with Cake.