I am not a breakfast person. I’m not hungry until mid-morning–and even then, I don’t like anything heavy or rich. So smoothies are a perfect first meal of the day. Here are the five combos in heavy rotation here:
Peanut Butter Breakfast Shake
I created this drink to get some nourishment into my fifth grader before school, but it’s become one of my favorites too. Be sure to use this trick I got from a reader: Soak your dates in a small dish of milk in the refrigerator the night before. They’ll blend up much more easily. Get the recipe.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
I started making these a few years ago when I tried a two-week no-added-sugar challenge. If you’re looking for a chocolate-shake consistency without any added sweeteners, this is your drink! Or add a teaspoon of honey if it’s not quite sweet enough. Get the recipe.
Peach & Vanilla Green Smoothie
I stumbled on this combination one winter during a particularly cold snap. You can also swap in frozen pineapple or mango. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk gives it a rich flavor. Get the recipe.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Apple Smoothie
I created this smoothie for Stemilt Growers, as part of their Kitchen Council. They wanted a recipe for a recovery smoothie that featured apples. With a good balance of carbs and protein, this fits the bill–but it’s also a yummy drink if you’re just lounging around in your yoga pants. Freezing the chocolate milk into cubes is key for creating a thick, frothy texture. This is also a perfect smoothie for those who don’t like bananas. Get the recipe.
Customizable Green Smoothie
With a base of banana + greens + other fruit + extras (like flaxseed or nuts), you can create lots of different varieties. Even better, pack them up in zip-top bags to keep in the freezer. Then dump the contents plus water or milk (dairy or non-dairy) into the blender, and you’re done. Read more.
What are YOUR favorite morning smoothies?
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