Smoothies:  A Perfect Breakfast

A refreshing, filling, easy meal.  Smoothies can be transformed from breakfast to snack to dessert.  The perfect item for customizing to someone’s tastes.

Breakfast Smoothies

There are two routes with smoothies, dairy or dairy-free.  Dairy smoothies are good with yogurt, milk, frozen yogurt, or any milk substitutes (or a combo of any of the above).  The creamy base goes well with bananas and I like to use peanuts or peanut butter for protein in the morning.  If you want to use protein powder or a soft tofu for protein, I would recommend finding a way to sneak it in.  It turns a snack into a breakfast.  Sneak in veggies if you are feeling wild!  Use honey or fruit as a natural sweetener.  Use Greek yogurt for even more protein!

My favorite for breakfast is a banana and peanuts smoothie.  I use leftover coffee to make the ice cubes instead of water.  Perfect for ice coffee and for a kick to the smoothies!

Snack Smoothies

Smoothies can be a perfect way to snack.  Get your cravings in without taking in too much fat.  A non-dairy smoothie can be a great snack.  This way you can get your fruit and your fruit juice in one shot.  I like to cut up fresh fruit when it is on sale and save it for later in sandwich bags ready for the blender.  This way they are in ready-to-go-packets.  The frozen fruit can act like ice cubes.  Mango, Raspberry, and Strawberry is one of my favorites.  With ice and orange juice and the simple smoothie is done. 

Dessert Smoothies

Basically, this is the excuse to introduce chocolate.  Nutella if you are in love with hazelnut/choc combo like myself.  Use ice cream and I guess this becomes borderline shake when you start adding candy with fruit…but you get the idea.  There are unlimited ways to make this delicious.