My Favorite Breakfast Smoothie
I started drinking smoothies as my go-to breakfast in 2012 when I realized the cereal and milk combo I’d been ingesting since childhood just wasn’t holding me through the extra long workdays trying to hold down three jobs while still dancing and performing on the regular. I started playing around with smoothies and while this green smoothie has gone through a few iterations, I’ve stuck with this one for the last ~5 years and I just love it! I could (and do) drink it every day!
Why a smoothie for breakfast?: Eating within 1 hr of waking is recommended if you can tolerate it, and gives me the energy to kickstart my day, as well as something to support the acidic coffee I’m absolutely addicted to having as soon as possible. It’s also a great way to sneak in greens, protein, and fiber to get natural vitamins and minerals in, feel full, and support healthy digestion.
Watch out for: Sugar! I try to keep sugar to a minimum with these smoothies. The fruit is enough! If you need a little more flavor to make it enjoyable, try adding dates or banana or any natural sugar alternatives like stevia or monkfruit. Likely your palate will adjust over time.
Hot Tips:
Make the night before if you have an early morning and enjoy on your commute to work. So easy!
Make a double batch and put half in a double wall thermos for a perfectly sweet mid-afternoon pick me up. Water down and shake up if your smoothie gets too thick. If you’re always craving a coffee and pastry in the afternoon, your smoothie gives that second energy boost and satisfies the sweet tooth I get at that time of day.
Put in a bowl and top with chia seeds, hemp seeds, berries or anything crunchy and eat with a spoon. Using a spoon and chewing slightly will help your brain register messages for when you are full.
PREP 5 minutes
SERVING 1
COOK Blender
Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
1/4 cup frozen cauliflower, frozen banana or frozen avocado (these are all thickeners and best used frozen for a super thick final texture)
1/4 cup frozen spinach or kale
1/2 inch of fresh ginger (you can leave the skin on, the blender will take care of the skin)
1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk of your choice
1 scoop of plant-based protein powder (I like Gainful or Naked Pea Protein)
1/2 scoop of collagen peptides (also for texture, I like Vital Proteins)
Optional dates, monkfruit or stevia to taste for sweetness
Top with chia seeds, hemp seeds, granola or berries for some added crunch
Instructions
Combine ingredients in blender
Run at low speed until the frozen ingredients break down, then slowly increase speed to maximum. Run at max speed for at least 30 seconds. This is important! It’s loud but don’t be shy, let everything come together. Add 3 tablespoons of water or plant milk at a time if mixture is too thick.
Pour into cup, mug or bowl.
Drink or make into smoothie bowl by adding your favorite topping.
Enjoy!
Note: Feel free to play around with different combos. Steamed sweet potatoes also work as a great thickener if you’re not a banana person. Adding oats and berries can also provide more oomph and energy. The best thing about a smoothie is there is no right or wrong. Play and decide what you like and switch it up to stay excited every single morning!
