Kinda Like Jamba High Protein Berry Orange Smoothie!

Okay, so pretty much anyone trying to lose weight knows all about the low-carb, high-protein debate. Not going to go into that. But I will say, the current eating plan I am following emphasizes eating a lot of protein, so I have been trying to be creative with ways to pack in as much protein as possible while also avoiding protein powder shakes. Nothing against protein powder, I just really can't stand protein powder shakes. I basically have to force-feed them to myself, which is stupid, really. So, I'm always trying to think of ways I can make new smoothies/shakes without the vile chalk taste.

If you're not a fan of Greek yogurt yet, you really should be (provided you can eat dairy!). The non-fat variety gives so much bang for its buck: lots of protein, calcium, and good-for-your-gut bacteria. It can be a little more expensive, so I have had to be a little creative in finding good sources for it. Walmart has their own brand which is pretty inexpensive and tastes great! Also, if you have a Grocery Outlet in your town, check them out. They often have 5 oz containers of Greek yogurt for 50 cents each, and I've even found 32 oz containers of Brown Cow Greek yogurt there for $1.49 (also worth mentioning: they often have lots of protein products on the cheap). So it pays to shop around.

Anyways, I use it as a replacement for protein powder in a lot of things, namely this smoothie. It gives it a nice, creamy taste that reminds me of something I'd get at a smoothie shop.

High Protein Berry Orange Smoothie

1 cup frozen mixed berries (no sugar added)
1/2 large orange (I scoop out the orange and toss the peel. More fiber this way!)
1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt (I use Oikos)
Stevia, Splenda, xylitol or other no-cal sweetener to taste
2-5 ice cubes, depending on how thick you like your smoothies.

Blend!

Note: I use a vita-mix, so if you don't have a high power blender, you might need to add a little liquid, like water or almond milk. 

Nutrition:  (approximate, may vary depending on what brands you use)
Calories: 213
Fat: <1g
Carbs: 37g
Fiber: 8g
Protein: 23g