I’ve always been a morning lover. I love the sense of accomplishment you feel when you cross things off your to-do list early. I love how a morning run can energize your day. I feel naturally more creative and alert earlier in the day and usually by 7pm my brain is fried.
However, like many humans I’m not the best at the actual waking up part. I have my alarm set for 5:50AM on the weekdays so I can get to the gym by 6:30 but I almost always hit the snooze button at least once. It’s a habit I’m “trying” to break. Sometimes I remind myself of how much better I’ll feel once I get out of bed, but you know the drill, easier said than done.
While I still manage to get to the gym with enough time for a 3-miler, I’m often cutting corners when it comes to prepping my breakfast and lunch. Last week I even forgot to pack shoes to change into, so I ended up wearing my running sneakers to work. Womp. Womp. Luckily I hid in my office most of the day, so no one really noticed (is what I’m telling myself).
One thing that has been making my morning a little brighter and smoother and a little less frazzled has been adding the occasional Naked Smoothie into the mix. A few weeks ago Naked sent me their new Berry Almond Nutmilk to try out. Thumbs up. They’re creamy, fruity and not too sweet. Often I’ll drink half on my post-gym commute to work and the other half after lunch.
Here’s the Scoop on the Berry Almond Nutmilk
- Each bottle of Berry Almond Nutmilk contains: 26 blueberries, 8 blackberries, 2 raspberries, 1 strawberry, 24 almonds, 1 3/4 apples and 1/3 banana.
- Berry Almond Nutmilk is gluten-free and vegan
- This non-dairy smoothie blends together fruit, almond milk and protein to deliver 11g of plant protein per bottle
I’ve also been loving the Bright Beets and Cherry Chia Lime smoothies as well. Often I’ll drink a smoothie after a long workout when I don’t have a huge appetite or if I’m traveling during the weekend and don’t feel like prepping food. I’m a fan of Naked because none of their drinks have added sugar but they also don’t taste like, you know… too green. Don’t get me wrong, I love veggies, but some green drinks just aren’t worth the taste (especially for $10). I’d rather eat a bag of raw kale than drink it. These juices though, much more balanced and won’t break the bank.
My Feelings On Juices and Smoothies
I’m not a nutritionist, so my opinions are based off my own research and experience but, I believe that juices and smoothies can be a healthful addition to a balanced diet. Yes, I try to get most of my nutrients through solid foods that have the benefit of extra fiber which can aid in feeling full and satisfied, but I think that drinking your fruits and veggies can be a.) delicious b.) beneficial in moderation and c.) a great way to add more nutrition when you’re busy and don’t have as much time to cook/food prep.
Your Turn:
- I’d love to hear your thoughts on juices and smoothies? Love em? Hate em? Are they a treat or a part of your routine?
- Are you an AM riser or a night owl?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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I don’t often drink smoothies or juices. I’m one that would prefer to eat my foods than drink them. However…..that berry almond milk does look pretty friggin’ delicious!! Might have to try that one.
Totally get that, especially if you have time to prepare, whole foods are almost always more satisfying – but smoothies can be nice inbetween meals or if you’re on-the-go – thanks for stopping by Kayla
I’m 110% a morning person. Workouts, work, running errands, etc….I prefer to do them all in the morning. This summer I’ve been drinking more smoothies/juices than ever out of convenience (and taste). I consider them a treat when it comes to the cost, not the nutrients. I would much prefer eating my food though.
I feel ya – In the summer heat sometimes I lose my appetite (crazy!?) so smoothies to the rescue!
I have actually never tried Naked juices before but they look like a great grab n’ go breakfast!
Yeah they can be a great addition if you’re on the run
Man I cant believe I haven’t seen this nut milk flavor yet – I gotta try it. I am 150% a morning person. It’s a new day, new chance to be your best self and a new opportunity to get closer to whatever goals you have for yourself. 🙂
UH she beat me. I’m only 110% a morning person 😉
Agree 100% – like I mentioned I’m also fried by the end of the day and I can be kind of a grandma too. Soooo mornings it is!
In general i love smoothies, but once in a while ill get sick of them for like 3 weeks. then i’m straight back on that kick again! I am definitely a morning person, especially living in Toronto where its sunny at 5:30 AM in the summer. Love waking up to that!!
Haha yeah I feel ya – it can get old drinking your meals but they do come in handy on the run
Totally a morning person and would love to get my workouts in before work! But seeing that I am in the office by 7am during the summer, it makes working out, and getting ready all before 6am a little tough! I would much prefer to rise WITH the sun, not before it 🙂
Ooph 7am to work? That’s an early rise for sure. As much as I love mornings I’m still not good at waking up.
High-Fives to smoothies! I am a total morning person, but with my job, I kind of have to be. I have trained it to wake up early…hit the coffee button…and just do it. Only downside is that I wish I could sleep in later on the weekends. My internal clock is all messed up when it comes to sleeping in…HA!
You bring up an excellent point, mornings = coffee = liquid happy. Sleeping in in the summer can be real tough with the sun being up so early!
I definitely had to get into the habit of working out mornings but now I’ll never go back! I am not really a smoothie or juice person since I have a hard time drinking “thick” stuff (I’m an ice cream fiend but never do milkshakes) and I can’t have a lot of pre-made ones since I am allergic to tree nuts and oranges and pineapples which sneak into everything, but I love fresh fruit!
Oo yeah, I can imagine having allergies would make me nervous about any pre-made smoothie. Juices can be a nice switch up – but let’s be real it’s always more fun eating your food than drinking it.
I’ve never actually had a naked smoothie before and should probably get on that soon considering they look so good and are everywhere in France! I’m not a huge smoothie over meal type of person. I find that they don’t fill me up or maybe that I just need that crunch of real food. I always go for juices over smoothies though; i find the smoothies too sweet! I’m not a night owl in that I party hardy or anything but I stay up until midnight typically and then get up around 7:30am. It seems to work for me!
I’m totally a morning person… I always wake up before my alarm. i like to GSD in the am!
I’m alllll about smoothies. Mostly because of the fiber from the fruit and I stay fuller longer. I don’t drink a ton of juice because a lot of the nutrients are taken out when juicing, but I do love a fresh green juice every once in a while, because I mean….there are worse things you could be drinking than a bottle of kale and apples and ginger (my fave).
Mmm, love Naked Juice! One of my friends calls it “nekkid juice” haha! Juice is definitely more of a treat for me because of the sugar + the cost, but I always enjoy it when I do have it 🙂
Totally! It’s a big ‘ol sugar rush but can be nice in a pinch
ooh i soo envy you morning people! 😉 i would love to be able to get up early in the morning and fit a workout in… but somehow i never manage to do it… and even if i do get up earlier, i’m kind of falling asleep everywhere haha
i LOVE smoothies, but couldn’t get out of bed even for them ^^
any tips? ^^
xx
jade
https://ohjade.wordpress.com/
One of my get up early strategies is packing lunch and my clothes the night before so all I have to do is put on workout gear and get out the door. The more obstacles in the way, the less likely I am to actually get up and go.
Just saw this pop up on Twitter 🙂
I loved Naked for awhile, but I felt skeptical of a juice company owned by PepsiCo :S There are worse smoothies (with added sugar) out there though!
I’ve been trying to wake up <6am and I was doing well but with the days getting shorter, it's so hard to wake up to darkness at 5:15AM! Maybe it's time to try putting the alarm outside of my bedroom! Haha.