Filling and kid-friendly, this shake is full of calcium, potassium, and protein to start your child’s day.

Breakfast is not my fifth grader’s favorite meal of the day. (My first grader, on the other hand, practically jumps directly from his bed into a seat at the kitchen island with a spoon in his hand.)

I invented this breakfast shake one morning to sweeten the deal. It’s something fun and filling. I also love that it’s full of calcium, potassium, and protein to start his day.

You can easily adjust this recipe to your tastes and needs by:

• Subbing in a non-dairy milk such as almond or soy
• Using your favorite kind of nut butter
• Adding just one date (or omitting them completely) if you want less sweetness

I first heard of blending dates into a shake from Katie of Mom’s Kitchen Handbook, whose Creamy Dreamy Banana Date Shake is another sweet and satisfying favorite. Dates can be tough to pulverize completely in the blender, but I got this great tip from a reader: Soak them in a little dish of milk overnight (see how at My 10 Favorite Kitchen Tricks).

Want more breakfast recipes? Try my Scrambled Egg Muffins and Yogurt & Flaxseed Waffles.