In my younger years of middle school, high school, and even college, I found myself skipping breakfast constantly, and if I did “indulge” in a little breakfast, it would be something like a piece of toast with a pat lot of butter. Luckily, I’m mostly behind those days (and hopefully you are too), but I still often find it a struggle to make the time for breakfast during the work week. Of course, if asked, most of us say that we consider breakfast an important component of a healthy day and lifestyle, yet we run out the door and grab our cup of coffee (if we’re lucky).
Because I know that sooooo many women (and men – this post is for you too) have such a difficult time making breakfast a priority, my easy morning breakfast routine is something that I knew I wanted to share with you guys!
Basically, it all comes down to the preparation the night before, which then in turn, makes your morning easier. The night before, I load all of the ingredients into my blender and put the cap on, but the trick is that you don’t blend till the morning so that it tastes fresh. No more worries about rushing around the next morning or waiting for things to toast in the toaster oven. I have this blender which is super affordable and makes cleaning a breeze. I think I actually won this blender in a Yankee Swap (LOL) but it has proven to be one of my favorite gadgets in my kitchen. There’s nothing I hate more than cleaning a huge, heavy blender, and this makes cleaning up and making smoothies the night before an absolute breeze. Continue reading below for the recipe!
Banana Almond Milk Smoothie:
1 banana (frozen or fresh, I usually use fresh)
Handful of baby spinach (about a 1/2 cup)
1 Tablespoon of almond butter (or peanut butter, but I prefer almond butter for a better consistency)
1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk (more if you like it runnier, less if you like it thicker).
A few shakes of cinnamon (about a 1/2 teaspoon)
Add a few ice cubes when ready to blend!
Optional: 1/4 of an avocado (makes it very creamy, and you can’t even taste it!)
Optional: Add unsweetened cocoa powder to cure your chocolate/sweets cravings!
Optional: If you don’t like peanut butter or almond butter, add coconut oil for healthy fats
Directions: Put all ingredients in blender. The next morning (or when you will be enjoying the smoothie), add ice and blend. Enjoy 🙂
I hope you guys try this and that it makes your mornings a bit easier! Of course you can add other fruits you love as well. Berries are great in smoothies because they have a lower amount of sugar (while banana, mango, and pineapple have some of the most grams of sugar per serving). I only use banana in this smoothie (as opposed to adding more fruit) to avoid overdoing it with the sugar intake so early in the morning. If you’re feeling a little iffy about adding the greens to your smoothie, just trust me!! I used to be the pickiest eater in the entire world, but just trust me that you can’t taste it. Definitely use fresh baby spinach rather than frozen. I find that fresh blends so much better and creates a better texture. Below I’ve linked some other options for easy-cleanup blenders! Also, I’m always up for learning great combinations of ingredients for smoothies. Write me a comment and tell me your favorite! 🙂
This smoothie looks amazing! yummy!
xO – Steph
http://www.urbanblonde.com
Thanks Steph!! It’s definitely my go-to for the busy work week!!
This looks like such a yummy breakfast smoothie! Love that it’s vegan!
Thanks Annie!! I actually just started using almond milk in the past 6 months or so, and I’m so happy with how it makes smoothies turn out!
This looks so good! I adore smoothies in the morning and adding almond butter always helps me feel fuller for longer.
Thanks Cassandra!! I totally agree. Adding the almond butter is a must for me. Thanks for reading
So this smoothie looks amazing! I love green smoothies! So healthy and delicious!
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Thanks Jessica!!! I’ve totally been loving smoothies lately, and they’re so easy to whip together. Thanks for reading 🙂
That smoothie looks amazing! I will have to try one morning 🙂
xoxo
Sarah
http://www.thehouseofsequins.com
Thanks Sarah!! When you make it, let me know!! Hope you love it xo
Looks easy and delicious! Can’t wait to try it out!!!
Thanks so much Taylor!!! 🙂
That sounds so good! I’ve never added avocado to a smoothie, something about it just weirds me out, but I love creamier smoothies so I might have to get over the mental roadblock and try it!
Totally with you there, Rebekah. It also freaks me out a tad, but I promise it’s good. Add a little cocoa powder for less weirdness haha. Also if I’m really freaking out about it, I will drink it out of a tumbler that isn’t clear so I can’t see that it’s green.
YUMMM. Def going to try this!
Yay! So glad you love the recipe. Let me know what you think once you make it! xo
That smoothie looks SO good!!! I used to drink a smoothie almost every morning and for some odd reason stopped. You just inspired me to try this one today!!
Aw thanks so much Jaime!! I hope you love it!! I totally go through phases with drinking smoothies too.
Yummy! I’ve been looking for a yummy green smoothie recipe. I’ve also been looking for one that uses an avocado! I’m trying to up my smoothie skills haha. Normally I use berries but I am going to try this one for sure!
http://stopdropandvogue.com
I think you will love it, Taylor!! It doesn’t even taste like a green smoothie it’s so good. The cinnamon is crucial, so make sure to add that too 🙂 Thanks for reading!!
I have the nutribullet too! I neer thought to add cinnamon.
I love that bullet so much. It’s surprisingly good quality for the price. I must say, the cinnamon is crucial. It really makes such a difference. Thanks for reading, Alanna!
This sounds really good! I am definitely a breakfast person and make it every morning. I love this idea-I haven’t gotten into green smoothies yet but this sounds like one I could get on board with. Love that you prep it the night before and then just blend in the morning!
-Lauren
http://www.ivorytowerchic.com
Thanks Lauren!! The night prep makes everything SO much easier. I can’t even explain. It’s changed my breakfast routine for sure. Thanks for reading xo
This looks delicious!! I just may have to make this for breakfast this morning–it’d be the perfect start to a long weekend! 🙂
xox,
Kristin
http://www.amidwesternmix.com
Thanks Kristin!! You should definitely make it. It’s so good, and doesn’t even taste like a typical green smoothie. Thanks for reading xoxo
Duh why don’t I assemble everything in my blender the night before?! That would make life so much easier! Thanks for the tip and the awesome green smoothie recipe!!!
It’s seriously SUCH a game changer. Makes everything soooo much easier in the morning. I definitely struggle with having time to get everything done in the morning haha. Hope you love it!! xoxo
This looks so yummy! I ended up getting braces (because why not) but everything still hurts to chew so smoothies are my thing now and I’m definitely making this!
I’m so glad you love it Adriana!! Liquid diet is so crucial for the first couple weeks of braces. Hope you’re hanging in there xoxo
This is right up my alley!! I am going to have to try this!
Yay, hope you love it!! Thanks for reading, Laura! 🙂
I love using my nutribullet to make a morning smoothie and this one looks amazing! Love that you add a bit of cinnamon. I’ll have to try that! Thanks for sharing this fabulous recipe!
xo,
Heather
http://www.playingdressupallday.com
Heather, thanks so much for reading!! In my opinion, the cinnamon is crucial. Plus I’ve read that cinnamon helps with sugar cravings. I definitely need help with that, and I’ve found it does help a little! xo
I am a HUGE fan of green smoothies. This sounds delicious! You mentioned adding avocado. I have found that if you mix avocado with a little lemon juice and then freeze it in an ice tray, it works well with smoothies and you don’t have to worry about it going bad!
That is brilliant!! I’m definitely going to try that. Thanks for the tip, Lauren!!
Looks and sounds delish!! Need to try this!
It’s so good, Stephani!! I’m a little bit picky about green smoothies, and this one doesn’t even taste like a green smoothie.
I love the idea to not blend until morning but put them all together! So genius!
The almond butter for me, is SO KEY!
Makes all the difference.
Great share love!
xo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
Thanks, Krista!! Prepping everything the night before has been such a game changer for me. I need all the extra minutes I can get in the morning. Totally agree about the almond butter. So delicious!! Thanks for reading 🙂 xo
I’ve unfortunately been having some allergies to bananas lately, so annoying but this sounds so good! I’m not a morning person so breakfast is tricky for me. Maybe I’ll try this with strawberries instead!
Oh no, so sorry to hear that Allie! Yes try strawberries instead of banana and add cocoa powder and it would be like a chocolate covered strawberry!! Now I think I want to try making it haha. Thanks for reading!!
i’m not a big smoothie person but this sounds great !
http://www.carolinapinglo.com/
Thanks Carolina!! I definitely go through phases with smoothies where I will have one every day for weeks and then not at all haha.
This looks SO good! I’m not a huge breakfast person, but I do love smoothies! I’ve been trying all different kinds lately and this one looks amazing!
Thanks so much Adriana! I love making this one because it has greens in it, but it tastes sooo much better than most green smoothies I buy at places. Thanks for reading 🙂
I love the idea of putting everything in the blender the night before! I’ve been obsessed with overnight oats recently because it’s an easy grab and go. I’ll have to take your advice and mix things up with a smoothie. This recipe looks delish!
I love overnight oats!!! I need to make those more too when I get sick of smoothies. Have you ever made your own chia pudding?? Similar to making overnight oats, and so yummy! Thanks for reading 🙂
I make a similar breakfast- but I am a PB girl over almond butter. Your pics are so gorgeous, girl! Makes breakfast look even more yummy!
xoxo, Jenna
Boston Chic Party
Thanks so much Jenna!!! I love anything with peanut butter. What’s crazy is that only recently, in the past year, have I had almond butter for the first time. PB will always be my number one lol. Thanks so much for reading!
I love love smoothies!!! I have been curious about the nutribullet but we have a ninja that works great! I mainly do fruits and occasionally with spinach. I will try out a spinach banana combo!
Xoxo
Cindy
http://Www.foreignfreshfierce.com
I’ve heard great things about the Ninja! Especially for juicing. Hope you love it, Cindy! Thanks for reading 🙂
This looks so amazing! I love finding new smoothie recipes. Happy Fourth! xo
Thanks Kristie!! Hope you had a great holiday weekend! xo
What a perfect smoothie! Love the ingredients and great tips!!! xo
Thanks Ruthie!! I love this one. It’s definitely my go-to and the one I make most often. Thanks for reading!! xo