When you think shaker cup (or “blender bottle”), what comes to mind? Meatheads? Gym rats? Body builders? Nothing because you don’t really know what a shaker cup or blender bottle is? <– All fair answers.
The thing is, though, I’m not a meathead, gym rat or body builder and I am pretty much attached at the hand to my shaker cup. (If that wasn’t made obvious from my Instagram photos.)
What is a shaker cup and why do I suggest YOU get jiggy with one, too? (Well that’s what this whole post is about so read on.)
WHAT IS A SHAKER CUP?
shaker cup (sh-AYE-kuuur cup) n.
- a portable drinking device that, because of the metal ball that lives inside it, can combine powders with liquids using a shaking motion
- a brilliant replacement for a blender in a pinch (like a substitute teacher: not as effective as the REAL thing, but gets the job done)
- my security blanket
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
WHY SHOULD EVERYONE, INCLUDING YOU, YOUR GRANDMA AND YOUR HAIRDRESSER, HAVE ONE?
Because a shaker cup is what allows you, me, all of us to enjoy incredibly healthy beverages on the fly. (Literally, even when you’re flying in an airplane.)
Keeping a shaker cup in your office, suitcase, car, gym bag and home is an IDEAL way to get some extra good nutrition into your system NO MATTER WHAT.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
And even more than just “getting in good nutrition,” the bevvies you can shake up in your shaker cup can be STRATEGIC – they can provide energy, help you recover from a workout, keep your digestion in good order, get you drunk…there are clearly many different directions you can sip yourself to.
Let’s take a look at 7 of those strategic sips. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
7 SUPERB SHAKER CUP DRINKS:
1.) A makeshift green juice.
By mixing up a packet or scoop of greens powder (which is just essentially dehydrated green juice!) with 8-10 ounces of coconut water or water water, you can have yourself a juicer-and-pulp-free green juice in just a few good shakes.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2.) An impromptu protein shake.
Simply shaking a packet or scoop of a plant-based protein powder (learn more about that here) with 8 -10 ounce of almond milk, water or coconut water is a brilliant (and delicious) way to pack a filling, energizing, satisfying, crave-blocking” and “hangry-stopping” beverage into your bod. This plant-protein concoction is phenomenal for you in practically every situation, including: traveling, after a workout, when you don’t have time for breakfast, when you need an afternoon pick me up, when your lunch money got stolen, when you’re hungry after dinner and don’t want to go to bed with a rumbling stomach…
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
3.) A healthy cocktail.
Totally the opposite of a green juice, do not disregard your beloved shaker cup’s ability to whip you up a little healthy cocktail. I mean, the shaker cup comes with measurements so you can portion out the perfect shot amounts! Can I say: MEANT TO BE?
For one drink, pour in around 1.5 ounces of your vodka or tequila (the lighter spirits are the least caloric and blood-sugar-havoc-wreckers) and shake in about 6 ounces of your healthy mixer.
My personal favorites mixers are kombucha (in which case you have to be gentle with the shaking as it will fizz up!) and coconut water + pineapple juice.
Sprinkle in a few dashes of stevia for a plant-based touch of sweetness plus a couple of ice cubes and you’ve got a refreshing and more importantly – HEALTHY – cocktail!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
4.) An iced matcha latte!
In case you don’t know, I <3 matcha a lot. (Read all about it here!) And matcha lattes play a big role in my life. (Meaning: I drink them almost every day.)
When I want an iced matcha latte, I just shake it up in my shaker cup, baby! Couldn’t be simpler:
1 tsp matcha powder
1 cup almond milk (or 1/2 cup almond milk + 1/2 cup coconut water)
stevia, agave, maple syrup to taste
ice!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
5.) An ACV morning metabolism revver-upper.
A morning routine MUST in my life is my AM metabolism revver-upper. Each ingredient in this drink is strategically shaken to give my digestion and fast-burning abilities a morning boost!
To get the the recipe and watch me make it, click here:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
6.) Pre-workout pumper-upper!
It’s easy to shake yourself to a sweat sesh when you make a pre-workout drink that pleases your tastebuds and puts a caffeinated pep in your step!
Here’s what I typically shake up pre-sweat:
6 oz. coconut water
1.5 tsp matcha powder
2 tbsp vanilla plant-protein powder
1-2 tbsp chia seeds
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
7.) Protein hot cocoa!
Believe it or not, you CAN make a hot cocoa drink that’s high in protein! Might I even say you can have hot cocoa as your post workout?!
Just add 2 tbsp of chocolate plant-protein powder to a shaker cup with 1 cup of almond milk.
Add in a splash or two of agave or maple syrup and even a tiny bit of vanilla extract if you want.
Throw in ~1 tsp of cocoa or cacao (what’s the diff? read here) powder if so desire.
Shake it up and then pour it in a small saucepan on the stove and heat it up.
Then pour it into your favorite mug and enjoy your protein hot cocoa.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
WHERE DOES ONE GET A SHAKER CUP?
Amazon has ’em for very little $$…
And stores that sell nutritional supplements would have them too (like Vitamin Shoppe and GNC).
Big box stores (like Walmart and Bed Bath and Beyond) sell them.
And sometimes you can get a free one with some promotion from a gym, protein powder company, etc. (which is why I own like 6).