The Best Protein Shake

Tuesday is without a doubt my busiest day of the week! Just getting the kids ready in the morning used be such a big job but now add in all the other bits that need to be done and planned for (not including meals and healthy ones at that) and I'm exhausted by noon. Kaden has school and I have Brody registered in 2 classes at the rec centre in the morning (music & swimming) then Brody and I head home for lunch. After lunch I get myself ready for work, which includes putting together my dinner and the kids' stuff ready for karate. By now, it's time to go pick Kaden up from school. Some Tuesdays my friend Natasha is kind enough to take the boys with her after school, feed them dinner and take them to karate with her kids. Yay for Natasha!! On the other Tuesdays when that doesn't work out, I'm not without help, Bryn kicks in and makes dinner for the kids and makes sure they're ready when I get home from work. So once I'm done teaching at Children's I rush home, grab the kids and my already prepared dinner and run them to karate. While I'm waiting I get to eat my dinner and hopefully hang out with some of the other parents if they're there. And sadly all of this is going to change come the new year because I'll be teaching another class right after this one and won't be able to do the Tuesday run around.

Now, what does this all have to do with the best protein shake?
I make a protein shake for my afternoon snack, it has become part of my "get ready for work" routine. Tuesday is the only day of the week I have my protein shake and I love it! This is one of the smoothies I drink about an hour and half before I teach a yoga class.

The Best Protein Shake

handful of spinach
1 banana, broken into chunks
1 scoop vegetarian protein powder
1/2 C coconut milk (canned)
1/2 C almond milk (depending on how thick you want it)
2 tbsp Udo's oil

Put all ingredients in blender and blend to desired consistency adding more or less almond milk to your preference.

If I could get you to try this without knowing what's in it you would be surprised! I can't believe how good this combo is, it tastes like a real junk food style milkshake. I think it's the quality of the coconut milk, it tastes so authentic. The brand I used is Earth's Choice, I've tried a few others and this one is by far the best. It's high in fat and that's just the way I like it, if this is going to be one of my main fat sources I'm going to drink the whole can!

He Won the Gold!!

Last Saturday was Kaden's Karate Tournament, yes the one I was very nervous about last week. He did such a great job that his Sensei and some of the Sempais didn't recognize him because he brought it when he stepped into the ring (also he had a hair cut -but still). He was so focused and intense. He and his best buddy were in the same category and they tied at first so they had to do their katas over again. After the second performance (I know I'm not supposed to call it a performance but I like to think of it as a dance :)) I have to admit I felt a little anxious for Kaden and his scores weren't as high as the last round...I know, I know it's not about what place he comes in and I really didn't mean to feel this way but I couldn't help get caught up in the drama of it, I mean, come on, they tied and I thought they both would've gotten gold metals. Anyway, Kaden ended up winning the competition by .1 of a point! It was so close. We are just so proud of him, what a wonderful experience for him too.

Family Love -The Johnston-Yu's stopped by to support Kaden!

Getting ready to begin the Katas

Milos & Kaden with their metals

Another Performer

This weekend is Kaden's first Karate Tournament. I filled out the forms, handed over the money, read the information handout and thought everything was done and taken care of. I registered him for "team kata" (what I like to call a coreographed karate dance routine) or so I thought. I emailed his Sensei to ask about some equipment that Kaden told me he needed for the tournament which didn't make sense since he was only entered in the team kata. Sensei told me that he didn't have Kaden on the team kata list, only for individual kata! What?!?!? Doesn't that mean he'll be going it alone, by himself, without a team?? There must be a mistake, how am I going to fix this for him 2 days before the tournament?
So I casually ask Kaden "who are you doing your kata with."
He casually answers back "no one."
"Really? How did that happen? I thought you signed up for team kata?"
His (again casual) reply "ya when Sensei asked us to put our hand up for team kata, I didn't raise my hand. I wanted to do it by myself so I could be in front."
"Oh, are you ok with that?" He nodded "do you feel prepared?"
He just gave another nod and said "yup".

I felt myself immediately bust with pride for this kid, who is nothing like me because I was insanely nervous for him, not only did he make this decision on his own and go for it but he's also so unassuming and humble that he doesn't need to announce to everybody that he's done it. If I hadn't emailed Sensei then I would've found out at the tournament. I hope I don't cry like I did at his talent show last spring. I'm just so darn proud of him and am amazed at the kind of kid he is which is much more like his Papa.