The Green Monster

on April 27, 2009
in All Posts

Lunch was light yet satisfying today:

CIMG4431

I made a yummy cottage cheese wrap with some lettuce in a Flat Out Wrap:

CIMG4434

Plus a side of strawberries with a chopped carrot:

CIMG4435

Dessert was one of the amazing Medjool dates from Oh! Nuts:

CIMG4436

I just made my first mid-afternoon snack and it’s — surprise, surprise — a Green Monster!

CIMG4444

Why I’m Turning into a Green Monster

 

You’ll be seeing a lot of GM on the blog, and there’s a very good reason why!  As you may know, I’m seriously addicted to my yogurt and granola mid-afternoon snack, and it’s a habit I would like to break.  Not because yogurt and granola is "bad" but because I’d like to start cutting down on my processed foods and granola can be very filling if I don’t carefully watch portion control. 

 

Angela’s Green Monster seems like the perfect fit to replace yogurt and granola (although I’ll still enjoy that occasionally!).  I love the taste of GMs and it fills me up.

 

The Green Monsters contain:

 

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond breeze milk
  • 1 banana
  • 1 tablespoon flax seed
  • 2 cups kale

 

Most importantly, Green Monsters are a  nutritional powerhouse! In fact, 1 Green Monster contains:

 

  • 420 mg of potassium
  • More than 260% of your daily required intake of Vitamin A
  • More than 175% of your daily required intake of Vitamin C
  • 25% of your daily required intake of Vitamin D
  • 30% of your daily required intake of Calcium
  • 10% of your daily required intake of Iron
  • Tons of heart-healthy Omega fatty acids
  • A mere 215 calories!

 

Amazing!

 

What is your favorite healthy snack?

{ 52 comments }

 

  • Runeatrepeat April 27, 2009, 10:16 am

    My favorite healthy snack in the summer is smoothies all the way! But, in the winter I go with trail mixes and stuff like that 🙂

  • Becca April 27, 2009, 10:20 am

    Hi Caitlin! I’m a new reader of your blog and I just love it!! You seem like such a cool girl! 🙂 I am so going to try this smoothie.. yum!

  • Sarah (lovINmytummy) April 27, 2009, 10:22 am

    I also like the GMs because they are so big and last a long time.

    (that’s what she said)

    Seriously, though. I am a big volume eater and love the sweets, so this fits the bill.

  • Becca April 27, 2009, 10:23 am

    And by the way, I just noticed that you live in Orlando. I was born there and lived there for 10 years. I miss it so much!! 🙂

  • iowagirleats April 27, 2009, 10:23 am

    Can you taste the bitter kale at all? My fave healthy snack is probably grapes…they’re just great!

  • Brandi April 27, 2009, 10:23 am

    nice colorful day of food 🙂

    I love having smoothies (either green monsters or just fruit smoothies) as snacks. They’re so filling, but not heavy, and you can use whatever you want!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 27, 2009, 10:25 am

    becca- hey!! 🙂 nice to meet you.

    iowagirl – nope! i think the banana and the almond milk levels it out.

  • Becca April 27, 2009, 10:27 am

    We’re hoping to come this summer, so I will definitely let you know if we do!! 🙂 We went to Disney World last year, seeing your pictures made me tear up because I miss it so much!! (I know, I know, I’m a dork! ha!)

  • meegie lee April 27, 2009, 10:28 am

    i love green smoothies, dates + almond butter, but sometimes chilled fruit (especially melon) is all it takes!

  • Learning to Cope w/ Eating and College April 27, 2009, 10:28 am

    I was just wondering what you put in your wraps… I have seen that you put in cottage cheese with spinach, but is there anything else that you put in there for seasoning??

  • D April 27, 2009, 10:28 am

    my favourite snack is miso soup. light and healthy, but surprisingly filling.

    i have a running question!

    im runinng my first 10k on sunday (first race ever whooooo) and was wondering what i should be doing in terms of exercise this week? i ran an easy 4.5 miles today, but i will only be able to exercise tomorrow, wednesday, and thursday for sure, since ill be travelling to a different city for the race and wont be able to run. also im just super nervous about the general logistics of the race. do you find you run faster because of adrenaline, or slower because of race congestion? music or no music? general help!?!?!

    thanks!!!

    -D

  • Erica April 27, 2009, 10:29 am

    Hey girl! I love the new afternoon snack. I’m seeing these green monsters everywhere and still have not tried one! I love apple and peanut butter.

  • redheadedjournal April 27, 2009, 10:30 am

    I must say the strawberry makes the GM look much yummier!

    (Dine Out, Fight AIDS. April 30. http://www.diningoutforlife.com)

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 27, 2009, 10:33 am

    learning to cope – just pepper! i’m a basic kind of girl. 🙂

    d – YAY good luck! re: whether you will run faster or slower depends on the # of people in the race. if its a larger race, you will experience bottlenecking for the first mile or so. after the crowd thins out, you may be tempted to GUN IT because you will be so excited. most people can handle running a little bit faster than normal for races, but check your pace to make sure you arent running 8 min/mile when you’re used to 10. you don’t want to burn out at the beginning!

    check out this post to read some of my tapering tips:

    http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2008/09/
    healthy-hamburger-
    helper-and-tips-for.html

    (no spaces)

    you’ll want to start tapering three days before your race. just take it easy until then. focus on stretching or easy runs.

    i prefer to listen to music during races, but its just a preference thing.

    relax and have fun! you’ll do great!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 27, 2009, 10:34 am

    here’s the post, D:

    http://www.healthy
    tippingpoint.com
    /2008/09/healthy
    -hamburger-helper
    -and-tips-for.html

    (no spaces)

  • Run Sarah April 27, 2009, 10:34 am

    I love green monsters- I sometimes add frozen blueberries for a dose of antioxidants and I use spinach instead.

  • Carli April 27, 2009, 10:35 am

    Thanks Caitlin for including the nutrition information on your smoothie. I have been seeing them around and was tempted to try but frankly too lazy to calculate it my head as to either have it as a snack or meal…I use the BodyBugg (and love it) but I need to know my calories.

    I also make my smoothies with yogurt and berries and bananas and throw in spinach that you can not even taste, but I at least know I am getting my “greens”.

  • Thinspired April 27, 2009, 10:37 am

    I’ve been trying to do daily green monsters in the afternoon, too! They are really helping my nighttime sweet tooth cravings and help me get in more veggies throughout the day. I haven’t been adding kale lately (just spinach) because I had a bad experience once, but I am working back up to it! 🙂

  • The Healthy Apple April 27, 2009, 10:45 am

    Your Green Monster looks amazing; my favorite snack is Peanut Butter and apples…Visit my blog for my PB2 Giveaway.
    Happy belated Bday.
    Best,
    The Healthy Apple
    http://thehealthyapple.wordpress.com/

  • livelaughlyss April 27, 2009, 11:01 am

    This may be a weird question, but what does a green monster taste like? I know you said the banana and almond milk cancel out the kale, but does it taste GOOD? Hahaha, that sounded like a really weird question… but hopefully you understand what I mean!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 27, 2009, 11:02 am

    hahah yes Live Laugh Lyss, it tastes GOOD! try it, i promise you’ll like it!!

  • shawna April 27, 2009, 11:05 am

    I am loving the GMs, too!!! I noticed after having those for breakfast for a couple weeks and then going back to my morning oats for a couple of days, I wasn’t as energetic or satisfied later in the day. Not sure if it’s a coincidence, but it was the only change that I made on the days I felt more “snacky”.

  • J April 27, 2009, 11:07 am

    Now I really want to get some spinach and kale for smoothies! My usual smoothie is yogurt, a banana, and frozen berries and I’m hoping that adding greens to that mixture will be yummy!

  • healthy ashley April 27, 2009, 11:10 am

    I love green monsters! And Zbars 🙂

  • Christina April 27, 2009, 11:23 am

    I want to start making those green monsters too. It’s smoothie season! My favorite healthy snack lately is just a banana with nut butter and cinnamon.

  • nibblesandwiggles April 27, 2009, 11:33 am

    Your green monster just reminded me I need to order my VitaMix!

  • Melissa @ For the Love of Health April 27, 2009, 11:39 am

    The Flat Out Wraps look good….I wonder if you can buy them here in Canada?

  • Meredith (Pursuing Balance) April 27, 2009, 11:44 am

    I love fruit with yogurt or pb 🙂

  • Jen Makes Office Supply Art April 27, 2009, 11:47 am

    You just throw raw Kale in there? I have a bunch right now, maybe I’ll try that and see if it can become my new favorite healthy snack…

  • Jen Makes Office Supply Art April 27, 2009, 11:50 am

    Okay, I’m going to try it with kale this afternoon, I’ll let you know what i think!

  • BethAnn Caputo April 27, 2009, 11:52 am

    I like to have Mary’s crackers with some figs…or dates

  • Colleen April 27, 2009, 11:54 am

    I’m loving the GMs too! I make mine with spinach and add strawberries sometimes, but they are wonderful! 🙂

  • Danielle April 27, 2009, 12:00 pm

    I love making smoothies with spinach, but I have yet to try it with Kale.
    Your lunch looks so simple and fantastic!

  • Suzanne April 27, 2009, 12:17 pm

    my favorite healthy snack is carrots with slices of lunch meat wrapped around them, dipped in salsa…hello sodium, but it’s so delicious and more nutritious than most crunchy, delightful, spicy things!

  • Ashley April 27, 2009, 12:25 pm

    Hey Caitlin! I was gone this weekend (ran the La Jolla Half Marathon, it’s a monster, all uphill!) so I missed the chance to say happy birthday, so Happy Birthday! I also had a running question for you, what do you consider a good amount of races to run in a year? I’m trying to narrow down and don’t want to overdo it. Also, how much recovery do you find you need after a half marathon and do you think you still need to eat more to replenish your glycogen in the days after? Thanks!

  • megan April 27, 2009, 12:27 pm

    My favorite snack right now is a banana with PB&co Mighty Maple. It is the BEST!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 27, 2009, 12:38 pm

    ashley – well i think its up to you how many races you do. a lot of factors include: how long the races are, how much they cost, how close they are together, etc. it really just depends on your body and activity level. i ran like 11 races in the last 8 months and that was too much for me 🙂

    re: eating the day AFTER a race, i do usally eat more following a big race for two days, and then i go back to normal.

    good luck!

  • Gena April 27, 2009, 1:02 pm

    I’m loving all these green smoothies in the blogosphere!!

  • Olga April 27, 2009, 1:10 pm

    mmmmm, that GM looks fantastic!

  • foodrun April 27, 2009, 1:39 pm

    i love the green monster too! i make it as the first half of my breakfast and then eat something else about an hour later. they’re SO GOOD.

  • RachelK April 27, 2009, 1:48 pm

    I love your wrap! I am going to have to try that combo b/c I eat cottage cheese and flat out wraps all the time! My favorite healthy snack is an apple with cinnamon sprinkled on it.

  • Anonymous April 27, 2009, 1:50 pm

    I love green smoothies! I usually put frozen spinach, bananas and strawberries but it turns brown haha 🙂
    My favorite healthy snack is "pico de gallo" (not the salsa) it's a mix of diferent fruits: mango, jicama, cucumber, coconut, orange, watermelon and tons of chili and lemon yum 🙂

    Anna<3

  • D April 27, 2009, 2:35 pm

    ahh thanks for the advice! im definitely excited! i love your blog and i scoped out all your running tips for inspiration before i signed up for the race a few months ago. my main problem with running seems to be consistency…one day i can run 11 miles and feel awesome, and then one day i cant even run 2 without wanting to call a cab home. i love reading your workout tips and plans for motivation! oh and i live in england, so i also love the british things that sneak in once in a while 🙂

  • K from ksgoodeats April 27, 2009, 3:02 pm

    I haven’t tried a green monster yet but once it gets hot and humid up here, I’ll be whipping up a glass!

  • Help Meghan Run April 27, 2009, 3:30 pm

    My favorite snack is definitely oatmeal, but maybe it’ll change to a green monster when I try it (tomorrow!) 🙂
    Help Meghan Run

  • Graze With Me April 27, 2009, 5:54 pm

    Fav healthy snacks – medjool dates w/Barney Butter or greek yogurt topped with a Z-bar.

  • teacherwoman April 27, 2009, 6:01 pm

    Gee, everyone is talking about these green monsters. I must get on the band wagon! I do love smoothies, especially now that the temps are warming up!

  • Niki April 27, 2009, 7:45 pm

    Guess I need to get on the bandwagon and buy a blender so I can make a green monster! They look so good!!

  • Holly April 27, 2009, 8:05 pm

    DO you use frozen or fresh kale? I bought some but I didn’t get almond milk – I’m hoping plain old nonfat milk will work! Should I put ice in? I’m kind of a smoothie dummy!

  • Tammy April 27, 2009, 8:06 pm

    Favorite healthy snacks: fat free ricotta with chopped-up pear, Fage 0% yogurt with granola, Larabars, Kind walnut and date bars

    Your wrap looks awesome — I really wish I liked cottage cheese — wonder how it would be with ricotta?

  • janetha April 27, 2009, 9:37 pm

    wow i think i am going to have to try that green monster out. thanks for the fun facts and recipe!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 28, 2009, 3:43 am

    holly – i use fresh kale and i didnt use ice this time, but i have before. i think its just a preference thing. 🙂

    tammy – hmmm probably! try it and let me know!

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