Cookies and Cream Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake

Wow, it always amazes me how quickly time flies!  I know that I haven't posted anything new in a few days, but I had a very busy and fun filled weekend.  Jeff and I flew out to Las Vegas!  We mostly went because there was a big conference, at Mandalay Bay, that Jeff was attending, but it also provided me the chance to visit with my family, which is always worthwhile. 

Throughout the years, I've learned that the nice thing about having family out in Vegas is that I don't have to spend my entire trip just walking up and down The Strip.  I actually get to see what life's like in the surrounding areas.  However, I was a little bummed this trip.  Due to my injury, I couldn't do the one thing I like best, and that's to go hiking in Red Rock Canyon.  If you ever get the chance to go out to the canyon, take it!  The landscape is so incredibly beautiful and the trails are definitely challenging and fun!

Seeing that we couldn't go hiking, we had to try to find other forms of entertainment, which we did.  Sadly though, I did not come back to North Carolina a big winner.  However, I did have fun losing $40 while playing various slot machines.  That's pretty much all I will ever play.  I'm not really what some may consider a big gambler and it always amazes me to watch people just throw their money away.  One man I was watching lost $300 in just 2 spins of the roulette wheel, and another man lost over $500 playing just a few hands of black jack.  It's like they weren't aware that they could have just given the money to me and I'd have appreciated it way more than the casino we were in.  Oh well, maybe next time.

Now that I'm home again, I'd really like to get back to my daily routine, but sadly, I've been sick.  For some reason it seems that every time I fly on an airplane I get sick afterwards.  I think it has something to do with being in a confined area with others who could possibly be sick.  This is just another reason that I prefer to drive places.  However, I must admit that flights into, and out of Vegas are always quite entertaining.  You really do see the most "interesting" people on board those flights.

Don't worry, I'm almost done with my rambling, but before I get to today's recipe, I have just a couple more little things to share with you.........

As most of my loyal readers already know, I'm definitely big on challenges.  I absolutely love proving that I can do things and rise to any occasion.  Therefore, I have my November workout challenge ready to go. 

For the past few months or so, creating a workout calendar is something that I've been doing and sharing with friends around me.  This month however, I decided to put it on my blog, to share with all of you.  If you choose to complete this November workout challenge, please feel free to modify any portion of the exercises that you may need to, in order to meet your individual needs.  Usually I have running added onto the master calendar, in addition to the workouts, but, at least for the month of November, I was told that I'm not allowed to run.  That won't stop me though from adding in some incline treadmill walking, at least as soon as I'm able to.

Here's the link to the individual workouts that are listed on the master calendar...... workouts.  If you have any trouble deciphering the calendar, especially after you look at the individual workouts, just let me know.

In addition to my workout and food challenges, I've been given another one......To start my own business.  I've always been one who believes in signs and everything recently has been pointing in that direction.  For one thing, I've very recently left teaching, providing me the time I'd need to dedicate to a business.  I also met a young man on my flight back from Vegas, who created his own successful business, and he was kind enough to give me ideas.  In addition to that, and the very next day, my friend Mark, who also runs his own business, sent me information about a great location.  In addition to all this, my husband Jeff has been very supportive, and has also been encouraging me for quite some time now.  I'm beginning to feel that it's something I need to look into.

So, enough rambling for now.  Here's today's recipe!  It's really pretty simple to make, and I can't believe I haven't shared it yet, mostly seeing that I drink it at least once a day.

Cookies and Cream Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake
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Ingredients:

1 scoop cookies and cream flavor protein powder
2 cups water

½ cup milk (I use vanilla almond milk)

¼ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
¼ - ½ a frozen banana
1 TBSP. creamy peanut butter
Ice (desired amount, I use 3-4 cubes, but I like my shake thin)

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients together in a blender and mix until completely combined.  (I love using my NutriBullet)  Pour into a glass and enjoy!  I always garnish with a little cinnamon.

For a creamier shake, use more milk than water.  You could also blend in an Oreo cookie, for more of a cookies and cream taste.