Weekday Breakfast Smoothies

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Happy first day of Fall! I know this is so white girl of me, but I love fall. I love pumpkin flavored foods, tall boots, big sweaters, crunchy, colorful leaves and open windows letting in a cool breeze. But now that I live in Phoenix that isn’t quite the case. In honor of the change in seasons I did turn down the air a notch so I can cuddle in a blanket on the couch and “warm” the house up by baking pumpkin bread in the oven. But whether I like it or not, its still 90–100 here every day.

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One thing that isn’t different about Phoenix in the Fall is a busier schedule. Kids go back to school, clubs, groups and meetings all come back. Summer hours at the office end and everyone is ready to get back to full schedules, which, if you’re like me means going to bed a little bit later and waking up just in time for work. And when I say just in time, I’m talking about waking up with just 15 minutes until I need to be on my way to work. My coworkers think I’m the grumpiest morning person, but it’s mostly just because by they time I get to the office, I haven’t even been awake for an hour. I know, I’m awful.

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That’s why these Weekday Breakfast Smoothies are my daily go-to. I get a full serving of fruit, protein, fiber and on most days, veggies! Plus, these smoothies are refined sugar free, but still entirely delicious. You just throw three to four ingredients in a blender, combine, pour and out the door you go! A breakfast I can easily (and safely) eat on the way to work? Yes please. These lightly sweet, fruity smoothies are creamy and a little bit nutty with the addition of chia seeds for added fiber and protein. Now I’m thinking a better recipe name would be “Dream Breakfast in a Cup.” Accurate.

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Weekday Breakfast Smoothies
Author: 
Serves: 1 smoothie
 
Ingredients
  • ½ cup juice of choice (I used 100% unfiltered apple)
  • 1 8-ounce cup of plain Greek yogurt
  • ¾ cup frozen fruit (I use a strawberry, peach and banana combo)
  • 1 cup spinach (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
Instructions
  1. Place the juice, yogurt, spinach (if using) and fruit in a blender in that order.
  2. Blend on high, stopping to stir occasionally, until smooth.
  3. Pour smoothie into a cup (preferably a to-go tumbler for car breakfast) and stir in the chia seeds (if using).

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CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANA SMOOTHIE

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I spent some time this weekend thinking about what separates good days from bad days. It all started with a lost wallet (#8 on my top ten list of things you need to know about me to understand my posts, was I right or was I right?).

It’s a little bit of a long story, but basically I carry a wristlet that tends to fall down between the chair and door of my car. Therefore, open the door and poof, it’s gone. I searched for an hour, gave up hope then pulled a quick stunt driver U-turn (I wish) when I remembered my short little arms couldn’t reach the gate key pad at my friend’s apartment, meaning I had to open the door. I pulled in and there it was, just laying on the ground.

There were three onlookers waiting for a cab, two girls and one guy all my age. They hadn’t even seen it, but either way I was so happy they didn’t swipe it, as many people would have. We jumped up and down in celebration. I was hugging three people I had never met and their excitement for the grace I’d received after my own stupid mistake, made my day.

All of my best days are because of the people who make them great. Good things happen to good people, yes, but they also happen by good people.

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Now before this turns into something entirely sappy and pathetic, let’s smoothly transition into talking about food, more specifically, this amazing Chocolate Covered Banana Smoothie with Peanut Butter and Coffee.

All that stuff I said about making good days for yourself and other people? Start here with this creamy, smooth and flavor-packed smoothie. I can’t take full credit for this creation, I first tried it at d’lish, a “healthy alternative to fast food” drive-thru in the Phoenix area. It’s called the Breakfast Buzz™ and it blew my hungover socks off.

Banana, peanut butter, chocolate and here’s the kicker: espresso. Oh. My. Goodness. Needless to say, I spent the next week trying to recreate this wonderful gift to hungover graduates everywhere and I’ve figured out the perfect proportions.

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Chocolate Covered Banana Smoothie
Author: 
 
A healthy and flavorful breakfast smoothie of blended frozen banana, creamy peanut butter, chocolate and coffee.
Ingredients
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 6 oz container plain Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup milk of choice
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
  • Ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Place the frozen banana (cut into small pieces before freezing), yogurt, milk, peanut butter, cocoa powder and coffee. Blend until smooth.
  2. Add ice cubes one at a time until you reach the desired thickness (I use three large ice cubes).

This thing has got the power to kick your hangover or just will you out of bed to your stagnant desk chair.  Plus it tastes like a chocolate milkshake with an extra added bonus of all the good things in this world: coffee and peanut butter. Slurp away my friends, slurp away.

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