Piña Colada Protein Shake

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If you like you some coconut and pineapple, this shake is for you!  I'm a bit obsessed.  I actually don't think I've ever had a yummier protein shake... yet anyway ;)  I adapted this recipe from one I found in the August 2012 issue of Oxygen Magazine.  The first time I tried it, it was just "eh", but I think the small tweaks I made really made a big difference.  It's bursting with flavor now!  Enjoy :)

                                                     photo credit

Serves: 1
Calories: 190

Ingredients:
1/2 C low fat cottage cheese
1/2 C crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 C unsweetened applesauce or 1/4 medium banana
1/4 C unsweetened, vanilla Almond Breeze
1/4 C Water
1 Tbsp reduced fat, unsweetened shredded coconut (found this at Whole Foods)
1/4 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (I use MRM Natural Vanilla Whey-- so yummy and clean!)
1 heaping cup of ice
1/2 Tbsp each of stevia and Truvia (adjust to your desired level of sweetness)
8 Piña Colada Capella drops (I order mine from netrition.com)
4 Coconut Capella drops

Directions:

Add all ingredients to your blender (make sure it can crush ice well), and blend to your desired consistency.  Feel free to add or substitute ingredients depending on what you have and what your nutritional goals are.  Chia seeds, flaxseed, BCAAs or glutamine powder are a few items that I add in every so often, just depending on my goals for the day and what time of the day I make the shake.  Be creative, and never be intimidated or discouraged my new ingredients you may not recognize.  Do your research.  Ask questions in the grocery store.  Request items that your favorite store may not yet carry.  This is how we expand our options and knowledge base with regard to nutrition.  (This shake is great pre or post workout).  Let me know what you think!  I have a feeling you're gonna love it ;)