Banana Bread Smoothie
It's been hot in NJ friends. Scorchingly hot. How did this happen so quickly? It was just 50 degrees like 2 weeks ago. Today it will be 90. Ouch.
So.
The only way I get through my 10 block walk to work in the morning without arriving as a hot mess is to keep a cold beverage with me at all times. It's chilled and delicious to boot. It makes me happy while...perspiration...is pouring down my face. I used to go straight to the iced coffee.
But the {only} problem with that is...it's not as fulfilling, not as healthy and bottom line...just not as good as a blended smoothie (ok, so I have my coffee when I arrive at the office instead...). I find smoothies to be so refreshing and rejuvenating in the morning and it's become my favorite go-to morning beverage and breakfast.
So pardon my excitement over this banana bread smoothie. It really just started by combining a few ingredients in the hopes of making a tasty yet filling smoothie that could double as breakfast for my on-the-go mornings. And then I realized that it was not only tasty and filling...but kind of tasted like banana bread. And so, friends, I'm hooked on this smoothie. It's like dessert in a cup, except that it's good for me. I should be drinking it. Could it get any better?
Though it's not all that different than my favorite green monster, this version just tastes more like banana bread, rather than like straight banana. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I hope you'll give it a try. After all, I've been dreaming about this smoothie, jumping out of bed so that I can have it in the morning. In fact, today I may even make a double batch and bring half to work for lunchtime. It's that good.
Banana Bread Smoothie
1 C unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
1 large banana
1/4 C quick cooking oats
1 scoop creamy nut butter
1/2-1 scoop vanilla protein powder
splash of vanilla extract
dash of ground cinnamon
sweetener, to taste (I used 1 packet of Splenda)
In a large glass measuring cup, bowl or blender, combine the milk and oats and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the peanut butter...
...banana
...protein powder
...and sweetener, vanilla and cinnamon. Blend well in a blender or with an immersion blender. Pour over a tall glass of ice.
Slurp slowly and enjoy!
The protein powder and peanut butter make this smoothie creamy, while the banana and oats give it tons of flavor and texture. Be sure to blend the heck out of it so that the oats are pulverized (letting them sit in the milk first will help in softening them!) and the smoothie is, well, smooth.
So what do you think? What's your favorite morning beverage? How do you stay cool in the mornings?
19 Comments | June 1, 2011 | Share Article | Email Article | tagged smoothie | in Recipes Print Article | Permalink
Reader Comments (19)
My favorite morning beverage is for some reason a cold glass of lemonade come 10 or so in the morning but I am loving this smoothie. So healthy but full of flavor. Awesome girl!
Favorite morning beverage is an iced coffee with extra cream (preferably from Aruba DD!) but I will definitely be trying one of these soon!!
I usually start the day with a smoothie! I haven't tried adding oats but that's a great idea. I'm usually starving by 10:00am!
Great idea! I love making this exact thing, but have never added oats! Great idea
Okay I have to say my favorite morning beverage changes with the temperature outside. When it's winter, I love a steaming cup of chai. In the summer, I cannot get to my apple juice or orange juice fast enough in the morning.
Banana bread in smoothie form works for me!!! I haven't tried putting oatmeal in a smoothie before but I think I'll need to give it a shot soon.
are you reading my mind? i have six bananas on my counter that need to be used up!!
Ever since I started losing weight, I've equated drinks w/calories as great big "no-no's" - so I really don't drink any calories. I even struggled with Kombucha to start! I'd like to try smoothies, but I still hate the idea of "drinking my calories" away! I definitely need to try them, especially for post-workouts when food doesn't sound good at all!
It's super duper hot here too! I'm ok with it...as long as it doesn't snow for a really really really long time...
The banana bread smoothie sounds so good!
Hi Rachel-
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog! I used to play soccer with Kim, and your mom and my mom continue to be friends. My mom sent me your link a few months ago and I have been an AVID reader ever since. I have also gotten one of my best friends hooked on your blog and she is very proud to have successfully made your green smoothie last week!
-Melanie
I love smoothies in the morning. And I've found that by adding a scoop of protein powder, I am fuller longer. I'm definitely giving this a try soon!
Yes!! I love this! Banana bread's delicious in any way, shape, or form. Yumm!
Melanie, you are so sweet! Thanks so much for reading and letting me know! I hope you'll stick around :)
I made a similar smoothie (with oats) over the weekend but I just can't stomach bananas, really sad. :(
We haven't hit 90 yet, but I'm anticipating lots of smoothies this summer!
This looks so good! I just saw your comment on PB Fingers and I had to see the recipe. Thanks for sharing! I'm about to post a really good, healthy dessert recipe later tonight. Come check it out!
I make something similar to this, but instead of oats I use cashews! This looks wonderful, I'll have to give it a try!
I am so glad that I found your site! I have been making morning smoothies with oatmeal since finding a recipe in the newspaper in the 70's. Just recently I discovered the Yonana machine. You use frozen bananas that come out in a smooth ice cream texture and and add other frozen fruit, oatmeal, etc. I love it and my grandson LOVES making healthy ice cream. There are tons of recipes on the Yonanas site.
one fresh, healthy and full of energy banana smoothie, gives you all energy you want to start a day and stay energetic all day, i love it ;)
this looks an sounds great! I make a banana - almond butter smoothie but I love the idea of adding oats!