Happy Monday and happy first day of the 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge!

I kicked off my Monday by teaching BodyPump and then coming home and making a green protein smoothie. I kept it basic for day one. Here’s what we’re working with…

1 cup almond milk
6 crushed ice cubes
2 cups spinach (loosely packed leaves)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 banana

I loved the bright green color of today’s smoothie. You start to get that weird dark green/brown tint when you add berries (which is tasty but not quite as sightly!). I poured it into a to-go cup and enjoyed it once I got to work. I taught the morning circuit class at Metro and by request we went heavy on the lower body exercises. Lots of lunging, single leg squats and dead lifts and lateral jumping. We threw some pullups in there for upper body work since they’re so effective in targeting pretty much everything.

Alright, as promised…here is the list of participants in the 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge (with blog links if applicable).

Jen at Peanut Butter Runner
Katherine at Real Food Runner
Bess at Bess Be Fit
Chelsea
Diana at Bubbly and Buttercup
HRCK at HRCK the Herald
Heather at Bake It. Create It. Love It. 
Nicole
Danielle
Lisa
Sam at Sam Bock Illustration and Design
Yuliya
Abby at Sounds Like Canada
Michelle from Shaklee
Lindsey at Cardio Pizza
Agatha at Lifestyle Inc.
Jenny V.
Megan at Fly the Friendly Skies
Whitney at Whit Likes Fit 
Brooke at Exercise for Fries
Kamaile
Kristin
Maggie
Katie
Amy
Miriam at Bellaspire
Courtney at Fitness with a Fork
Ginger
Angie at Living Like Kings
Irene at Love the Fit Life
Tiffany at Drink, Run, Yoga
Cath at Chasing Healthy
Karen
Diane M
Angie
Julie
Bonnie at Life to the Full
Nicole at Portland Traveler
Jennifer
Jackie at That Deep Breath
Lisa at Lisa Lately
Fabiola at Focus on the Breath
Shay at Whine Less, Breathe More
Sophie
Laura
Pam
Russ G. at Russell
Mary Ann
Kelly at Foodie Fresh
Brittany at Banter By Brit
Michelle at From Seed to Tree
Whitney W.
Helen at Running for HHT
Michelle
Jessica
Becca at Southern Runner Gal
Lauren at Fun, Fit and Fabulous
Sarah
Jodie
Lauren at Sugar Britches
*following participants were added on 3/27/12*
Jennifer at Knack for Nutrition
Brooke at Sweats and Sweets
Laurent at Peanut Butter Powered
Win at NC Brewing
Catherine
Alyssa at Fit and Fun In Third
Samantha at The More I Run
Holly
Lindsay E.
Heather A.
Rebecca Y.
Kristin
Stephanie at Nucci’s Nook
McRae
Stephanie at McMania: Our Life As We Know It
Taylor at Anchors and Argyle
Gadabout at Confessions of a Gadabout
Kate G.
Elaina G.
Lisa P.
Julie Anne at Julie Doodles
Jaclyn T.
Lauryn R.
Keri
Suzanne C.
Tracy at Heart Healthy Eats
Tina at Carrots N’ Cake

Let me know if you still want to join or if your name is not on the list and I will add you! 😛

Stay tuned…we are finalizing a Facebook page where we can share photos and recipes and use the hashtag #7daygreensmoothiechallenge on Twitter!

Who got green today? What was in your mix!?

And just because I have them edited and ready to go, here are pics of last night’s dinner and today’s lunch.

I made baked eggplant parmesan last night.

I dredged eggplant in four and then dipped it in an egg wash before breading the slices with a mixture of panko, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. Baked at 400 for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. When I flipped, I topped the slices with mozzarella cheese. Served with whole wheat penne pasta and portobello marinara.

Today’s lunch was an egg salad sandwich with avocado, tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, sprouts and Dijon mustard.

Have a great week!