The Proteini: How To Make Chic, Delicious Protein Shakes

The fitness industry as a whole doesn't include much that's dainty, feminine, or posh looking. Let's be real: aside from some hot pink they've slapped on the occasional yoga mat or cushy dumbbell, most fitness-related things look like ugly, industrial rubber. I know they're going for "sporty", but hey, I'm a girly girl and I like everything to be pretty.

Supplements are no exception - there's nothing French Country about guzzling down a protein shake after a tough workout. Nor is there anything remotely delicious. Or is there?

I want my protein shakes tasty and nice to look at too. Let's start with tasting good. I've experimented a lot with the perfect recipe to combine what I'm looking for: taste, high protein, fairly low calorie and fairly low carb.

Here's the best one I've come up with. I named it after the "Five Dollar Shake" conversation in my favorite movie, Pulp Fiction.

VINCENT: "Did you just order a five dollar shake?"
MIA: "Mmmhm."
VINCENT: "It's a shake. That's milk and ice cream."
MIA: "Last I heard."
VINCENT: "That's five dollars? You don't put bourbon in it or nothin'?"
MIA: "No."
VINCENT: "Just checking."

Five Dollar Protein Shake (Martin & Lewis edition)

• 1 scoop protein powder (I use Optimum Gold Standard in Chocolate - it's SO good and 0% gritty)
• 1.5 tsp Jell-O Sugar Free Cheesecake Pudding Mix 
• 1/2 banana 
• 1 tbsp PB2 (or peanut butter I guess, if you want 80% more calories) 
• 1 tbsp Walden Farms Calorie Free Marshmallow Dip 
• Water and ice

Blend and be amazed! Mine had 278 calories, 28g protein and tasted like a dream. After you make it, it'll be like this:

If you're low-carby, skip the banana and save yourself 15 grams of carbs. (That's right. A banana has 30 grams of carbs. THIRTY. I almost died when I found that out.)

So how does a tasty-but-sporty Five Dollar Protein Shake become a chic, classy Proteini? Simple. Stick it in a martini glass and throw some cinnamon on top:

If you're more into the oh-so-now Protein Moonshine look, put it in a mason jar instead. (You know how I feel about jars.) Cinnamon works well here too:

How much more adorable can you get? How do you spice up your protein-rich life?