Problem Sets = Punks + Mango Does the Tango

Written by on in Bender's Blenders, Lunch

I think I’ve spent nearly four to five hours on my problem set for my Business & Government economics class. It’s all making sense now, but between my lackluster graph-drawing skills (seriously, you would laugh out loud) and my need to make sure I’m writing enough and proofreading everything – the time adds up! Plus, we have a midterm this Thursday, so I’m making double the effort to memorize the material.

I did make sure to have plenty of fuel while studying. Particularly in the form of Whole Foods sesame tofu. I can never get enough of this tofu – it’s perfect!

And earlier tonight, I was in the mood to try a new smoothie. So I broke out the Vita-Mix and called my friend Jay Robb and what follows is what we came up with 🙂 It was v. good.

Bender’s Blenders: Mango Does the Tango

This smoothie was straight out of the tropics! I’ve never made a mango smoothie before and wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it didn’t disappoint. Combined with the vanilla protein powder – this brand has absolutely no chalky aftertaste! – it made for a thick and creamy evening treat.

Ingredients (serves 1):

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 packet (30g) Jay Robb vanilla whey protein powder
  • 1/2 cup frozen mango
  • 2 ice cubes
  • Optional: shredded coconut topping

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Combine the first four ingredients and blend until smooth. If desired, top with shredded coconut to give it an added taste of the tropics. This smoothie honestly tasted like a dessert – and it’s nutritional profile is outstanding!! I think I need to buy this protein powder in bulk because it’s the best I’ve ever tasted. It seems as though anyone who tries it loves it just as much as I do – am I right?

I loved the yellow color – it made a day of studying brighter 😉 Mm Mm Mm!

Nutrition Information (does not include coconut):

  • 175 calories
  • 2g fat
  • 14g carbohydrates
  • 2g fiber
  • 26g protein

~*~

I’ve been lax about photographing interesting meals lately because honestly, other than the great restaurant meals I had with my family this past weekend, I haven’t sat down to a full “meal” in quite a few days! I’ve more or less been snacking on various foods when they’re available all day long because I’ve been so busy. But the problem is, I’m much more of a three-meals-a-day girl, so this latest trend hasn’t been working for me. As a result, I’m challenging myself to make more of an effort this week and create meals for your viewing and my tummy pleasure.

I do have midterms to think about, so I’m not exactly sure how this will all play out – but I’ll take it day by day and you will be the first to “see” how this challenge turns out! At the very least, I’ve got some fun breakfasts planned – because that’s my favorite meal of the day!

I’ll end this post with a question that I could use some advice on because, as my roommate put it today, “I put the pro in procrastination.” What do you do when you know you have to get something done but are tempted to put it off?

Have a Monday 🙂

32 Comments

  2. Good luck 🙂

    As for motivating myself… I try to think about how good I will feel AFTER I do whatever I have to do. Sometimes it’s enough, sometimes I just keep putting it off. I’m bad about procrastination.

  3. Oo I’m not a math/statics/econ person at all, haha…so I admire your determination in that field 🙂 Good luck with everything this week, I think I’ve got a few midterms coming up, so I feel ya girl!

    I’m definitely a 3 meals a day type person, so I know how frustrating it is to get your schedule all messed up, hopefully everything will fall back into place soon for you!

    Sometimes when I know I’m procrastinating, I have to change location, ie leave my room, computer, etc. Just getting out of my “work” environment for an hour or so to clear my head can be really helpful, and I can usually come back, sit down, and get to work…USUALLY.

    Have a great Monday, Jenn! 🙂

  5. Yum!
    That Jay is such a stud.
    I’m a procrastinator too, but I guess I’ve come to accept it! I feel like it works for me so I don’t fight it.

  7. Nice smoothie and tofu!

    As for procrastination? I am the WORST at procrastinating. I try and set little goals though, like once you read this chapter, you can play this game or browse the internet for so many minutes, then you have to go back and finish the next thing.

  8. that tofu looks SO good!! the protein powder also sounds fab – i just wish protein powders weren’t so epensive in general :/

    i always put off doing things and it frustrates the hell out of me!! once i get into a ticking-off mood though, i just do it all in one go – i find it the easiest. like when i have to tidy my room – i hate doing it, so i run around like a headless chicken to do it as fast as possible 😉

  10. it’s definitely that time of the year when schoolwork starts building. for my monetary economics class we have a problem set due AND a midterm today. so not fair.

    when i really, really need to focus the only way I can do it is by going to the library, sitting by myself, and turning the internet connection off my computer (or leaving it at home when i don’t need to type something). it sure makes for a boring day but i usually can be pretty productive that way.

  12. I need some frozen mango – asap! that looks great and so refreshing! I am also a professional procrastinator. For me, I find making a list of everything I want/need to accomplish helps me to actually do it because i want to check it off that list!

  13. Ahhh!!!! Don’t let Economics kill ya, girl!! Stay strong!!

    Okay, you KNOW that I love the whole “Mango Does the Tango” title of your smoothie – too clever/fun, and I love the dance theme 😀

    I USED THOSE SAME MANGO CHUNKS IN MY PROTEIN SHAKE LAST NIGHT!!! Well, not EXACTLY the same, since it was my own bag and not yours…. wow I’m lame, haha 😉

    HAPPY MONDAY!!!

  14. YUM! what an awesome-looking smoothie, and i LOVE the name! sounds like a brilliant reward for trucking through that problem set!
    when i get the urge to procrastinate, i give myself 10 minutes before starting whatever project or task i need to do– usually by the end of 10 minutes i realize how much time i’m wasting and get started!
    i hope you have a wonderful monday!

  16. Great question, Jenn! I just asked someone this the other night because my form of putting it off is usually related to me being tired and wanting to sleep (which is necessary, but I also need to get things done!). My friend replied that you really do need to budget your time in increments. For example, if you know something will only take you twenty minutes – set that aside and work as efficiently as possible for those 20. Don’t go over. After you’re done, you’ll feel good and you may also have so time to spare.

    I don’t know if this is answering the question of procrastination or not – but I guess what I’m saying is if you have a plan in mind and get into the groove, it may make things easier. As far as getting started, just think about the end result! Think about how much better it would be to get it done NOW than have it dragging you down or stressing you out later.

  22. Ugh economics graphs… I was so bad at drawing them too.

    I am so bad with procrastination as well. For example, I have a paper due at 2 today and it still isn’t done. lol. I give some playtime, finish a page and you can play around for 10-15 minutes. It works as long as I’m not in a greaat writing mood.

    Good luck on your midterms this week!

  23. Darn! I so should have read this earlier today. I just went to whole foods and could not decide on a protein powder, so I left empty-handed. Next time, I know which kind to buy!

  24. Love the fresh coconut on top!!

    That tofu looks delicious – was it really squishy though? I like my tofu as cripsy/crunchy as possible – so right now I’m too afraid to try any that looks like that. Sorry – silly question – I know 😛

    Good luck on midterms!!!

  26. School work always seems to take double the time I anticipate it to. I hate that.

    Mmm MANGO smoothie. Perfection. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that protein powder around though. Sigh. Maybe they carry it in those weird supplement stores though! I never really go into those, they intimidate me, but they seem to often carry quite the variety of protein powders. I’ll be on the lookout for some Jay Robb!

    When I’m tempted to put something off (like I’m doing right about now… sigh), I usually… well.. put it off. haha. But sometimes I tell myself to just get through say a page or two or get to a certain point of whatever it is I’m working on and then take a break. Breaking it up into little chunks helps me put it off a bit less… sort of.

  27. I agree. That tofu from WF is fantastic. I remember midterms and everything else gets put to the back burner! Maybe you could take a little time to cook a bunch of meals and then you’ll have them available if that’s what works for you.

  28. Hey! that smoothie looks so yummy. I’m in for anything made with mango and coconut.

    When I don’t feel like doing anything, I try to envision how I will feel if I don’t do it and how I will feel if I do. Its usually enough to make me just do it!

  29. Great combination! Sounds super easy too! I have a Vita Mix as well and don’t use it as often as I should. It can do so many wonderful things to food! 🙂

  30. I like to make lists when I have to get something done. It’s hard to put somehting off for too long when you have a flourescent green post-it staring you in the face with your list of things to do.

    I try to motivate myself also by thinking about a way to treat myself once I finish. Some window shopping online, checking blogs ;), a cup of tea… you get the picture!

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