Nutrition: Peanut Powder

For a long time I thought smoothies were what people ate/drank when they were trying to be "healthy" but really just wanted a milkshake. Now I know that wanting a milkshake is actually fine, and smoothies are always delicious. 

I bought a Ninja 1,000-watt blender a few months ago at Costco. I made a few smoothies with frozen fruit and fruit juice. I bought some Vega protein powder. They were fine: refreshing and healthy. It all lasted about 2 weeks. Until...I discovered powdered peanut butter. When I first saw this stuff (years ago), I rolled my eyes. I didn't get it. I thought it was for people to take backpacking. But then it finally dawned on me: IT'S FOR SMOOTHIES. Now I'm researching if it's okay to live on peanut powder and banana smoothies for all meals of the day. I highly recommend the PB + banana combo with almond milk as the liquid, but I've also mixed in cherries, and all kinds of berries. Nothing I've tried it with has been bad. 

The nutrition breakdown on the peanut powder is: 2 tablespoons (which is a LOT of powder) contains 50 calories,  1.5 grams of fat (zero saturated fat), 95 mg of sodium, 5 grams of protein, and only 2 grams of sugar. It's like the perfect "food." (I'm in no way against regular peanut butter, the powder is just super amazing for mixing). 

Especially on hot days (it's already been in the 90s in Colorado more than I remember from the past two summers), smoothies are the way to go. I sometimes have a hard time eating after a hot workout, but I will drink all the liquids. 

Listen

I had the great fortune of reviewing Trampled by Turtles back in my Indiana days. I remember that show so well: the weather was hot and stormy, kind of like it is right now in NYC, and throughout much of the country. Rain you're sort of rooting for. Trampled by Turtles opened for The Head and the Heart that night, and they played a pretty rocking show for a band that can be so mellow. Their newest album (which isn't brand new, but still worth noting), Wild Animals is delightful. A little more whispery than Stars and Satellites. These guys are very confident about their instruments: everything is clean. Having spent some time in Indiana, Tennessee, and Montana, I've heard a lot of string music; some of it you get sick of, but not these guys--you can hear the talent. The Current described the new album saying, "this as bluegrass for people who don't necessarily like bluegrass," and I agree. This feels like a summer album: it feels like moving on music.