My Favorite Protein Shakes

My favorite way to refuel after a good, hard workout is a good, nutritious protein shake. There are a million different combinations you could try for your own shakes. I have had quite a few... Check out some of the ones I've made recently. Before I moved to Florida, I worked at a health club. We had a full juice bar with some of the best protein shakes around. My co-workers and I were always racking our brains over new flavor ideas for our Shake of the Month. Some of them turned out to be so popular that they stayed on the menu long after the month was over. I decided I wanted to try to recreate some of my favorites. Remember: the amount of ice you use dictates how thick your shake will be; the thicker you want it, the more ice you'll use. One of the most popular shakes was the vanilla honey chai. One time a member asked for peanut butter in it. Of course I had to try it. The outcome was amazing; that quickly became my new go-to shake. I actually entered my version of this shake in Dashing Dish's protein shake contest. The winner is selected in the beginning of June and wins a Ninja Professional Blender and publication of the recipe on her blog. Keep your fingers crossed for me! 1/2 cup water 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder 1 banana 1 tbsp cinnamon 1/2 tbsp ginger 1/2 tbsp nutmeg 1/2 tbsp five spice 1 tsp honey 1/2 tbsp Better'n Peanut Butter 1/2-1 cup ice Another shake we featured was the PB&J. I couldn't believe how much this actually did taste like the childhood favorite. 1/2 cup water 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder 1 cup frozen mixed berries 1 tbsp Better'n Peanut Butter 1/2-1 cup ice One of my all time favorite shakes didn't come from the juice bar, but from my co-worker, Katie. She brought in fresh cherries one day and we made chocolate cherry shakes. Chocolate and cherry is one the tastiest combinations ever! The shake has a rich dessert-like feel to it, reminiscent of chocolate-covered cherries or Black Forest cake. 1/2 cup water 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder 3/4 cup fresh or frozen cherries (make sure you get rid of the pits!) 1/2-1 cup ice Of course, the one that everyone loves is chocolate peanut butter. Who doesn't love the idea of rewarding themselves with the taste of a Reese's Peanut Butter cup right after they pushed themselves to the limit at the gym? Here's how I make it: 1/2 cup water 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder 1 tbsp Better'n Peanut Butter 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder 1/2 banana 1/2-1 cup ice I found this ginger pineapple smoothie recipe on Pinterest, but decided totweak it a little so it would be more of a protein shake than a simple fruit smoothie. I loved the outcome. 1/2 cup water 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder 1 cup diced fresh pineapple 1 banana 1 tbsp ground ginger 1/2-1 cup ice Post a comment with your own protein shake or smoothie recipe! I know there are plenty other crave-worthy combinations. Let's hear 'em!