Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day, which is awesome because they say it is the “most important meal of the day”. Now, depending who you are, you may or may not agree with that. If you are not someone who can eat first thing in the morning, then don’t.
I, for one, must eat when I get up. I can occasionally make it 30 minutes to an hour without eating if I have water and coffee, but if not then LOOK OUT. I’ve been known to get hangry.
My body needs food in the morning but it also helps that breakfast foods are my favorite. Eggs,oatmeal, French toast, waffles, pancakes….I could go on and on.
One of my favorite quick and healthy breakfast options is a smoothie! They take five minutes to whip up and, if made with the right ingredients, can be quite satisfying. I added chia, oats, and protein powder to help keep me full to my next meal. The combination of protein and complex carbs from the oats is perfect for after a workout too! This Cherry Vanilla Smoothie is a great post-workout meal, plus cherries have been gaining popularity in the fitness world as being a great food to help speed up recovery.
My favorite way to make smoothies is to use frozen fruit and frozen almond milk cubes. I like my smoothies SUPER thick, so it feels like I am eating ice cream! I will take a half gallon of unsweetened almond milk and pour it into several ice cube trays, freeze them, then store the cubes in a gallon sized freezer bag. Then I’ll pop one or two in my smoothie before blending.
I also like adding frozen spinach cubes to my smoothie. You cannot taste the spinach (I promise!) and it helps thicken it too. It WILL turn your smoothies green or brown, depending on the other ingredients you add. It is well worth the added nutrients in my opinion and you get used to the green color.
- 1 scoop whey isolate protein powder, vanilla
- 1/2 cup cherries, frozen
- 1/2 unsweetened almond milk*
- 2 Tbsp oats**
- 1 Tbsp chia seed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
- *Any milk may be substituted based on dietary needs including cashew, soy, rice, coconut, or cow's milk.
- **Any oats will do including quick-cooking, rolled, gluten free, etc.
- Additional ingredients: banana, kale, spinach, spinach cubes, ice cubes, flax, etc.
