I’m getting back into a running schedule for the Mardi Gras Half-Marathon. {Sort of, I woke up late and missed my morning run today.} Yesterday, I met up with my friend Amanda for a six-mile run along the bike path near the waterfront. We couldn’t have asked for better weather: 60 degrees and sunny. We both had to peel off our extra layers because it was so unseasonably warm. {NOT complaining.} Anyway, running a longish run on the weekend brought back memories of my favorite post-run shake. Essentially, it is a Chocolate-PB-Banana Smoothie. It’s got the perfect 4:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio that helps you refuel after a long run. I was craving one after our run even though it wasn’t that long. When I saw how poorly it was photographed during my marathon training earlier this year, well, I took pictures for an ‘in the kitchen’ redo.

Instructions

Add a banana.

Milk. I used skim, but any sort of milk will do. I bet almond milk would be super tasty too.

My mom got this Aztec Spicy Hot Chocolate from Lake Champlain Chocolates at the apple pie contest and left me half. {I made the crust.} It’s absolutely divine. I highly recommend it.

Add a tablespoon of it.

Add a tablespoon of peanut butter.  

Handful of ice.

Blend. I’m loving my new blender’s “ice crusher” button. It gets it so smooth.

Pour into a tall glass and enjoy. Good for you, yet tastes like a milkshake:)

Chocolate-PB-Banana Smoothie

Makes one serving

Ingredients

• one medium-size banana
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon hot chocolate powder {Lake Champlain Aztec Spicy Hot Chocolate is super yummy}
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• Ice

Directions

Add ingredients to blender. Blend, pour, and enjoy.