4 Easy Breakfast Smoothies for Busy Moms

We’re all guilty of skipping breakfast from time to time – it’s a bit of a gong show in the morning anyways, what with getting the kids dressed and ready, getting yourself ready, and prioritizing yourself around the coffee….did I mention coffee? I think we’d all be hard pressed to find a morning where we didn’t lose our minds on our kids, who seem to turn from tornadoes to sloths when it comes to brushing their teeth…

Luckily, I’ve been pinning away on Pinterest a variety of easy to make smoothies that you can whip up with very basic ingredients that will fill you up until lunch time - the best part is that they’re portable and you can drink them while you take the kids to school. I’ve had the pleasure of sampling all 4 of these, and I’ve given them a mark out of 5!

1. Iced Coffee Protein Shake
I’m a coffee junkie, and I liked the fact that this one combined health with energy. Throw the following ingredients into your Magic Bullet/Vitamix/Blender of your choice:
• 2 cups of ice
• 1 cup of cold brewed coffee
• 1 scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder (I love Vega brand)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup of almond milk (I like the vanilla sweetened one)
Blend it all up and voila! Yum, I liked it a lot!



2. Chunky Monkey Protein Shake
I’m obsessed with bananas and peanut butter, but strangely enough not a big fan of peanut butter in smoothies. Alternatively I use almond butter in this one.
• 1 Cup of Ice
• I cup of Almond Milk (chocolate, preferably)
• 1 heaping tablespoon of almond butter
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
• 1 frozen banana
Blend away and drink it up!

3. Matcha Green Tea Smoothie
If you want energy but you don’t like coffee, this matcha green tea smoothie is an ideal substitute. Matcha powder is a beautifully vibrant green powder made from the nutrient-rich young leaves of Japanese green tea, stone ground into a fine powder. You can purchase matcha powder at David’s Tea, Teavana, or just about any health food store. It is extremely good for you and packed with antioxidants – apparently 120x the amount than in green tea alone – and packs an energy punch that will give you pep for the entire day. It also contains fibre and amino acids that help you feel calmer. I add mango and a banana to my smoothie, as well as some honey or stevia to add a bit of sweetness.

• 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup orange juice (optional)
• 2 teaspoons honey, optional
• 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
Blend up and serve!

4. Fountain of Youth Smoothie
This one is super refreshing and packed with ingredients that will not only reduce bloating, but make your skin look and feel super healthy. While the above smoothies are mainly savory/nutty, this one is sweet and tangy and perfect for a boost any time of the day.

• 1 grapefruit peeled and quartered
• 4 strawberries hulled and sliced
• 1/2 avocado, peeled, pitted and flesh cut into chunks
• 1 handful fresh parsley.
• 1 handful fresh mint.
• 4 ice cubes.
• 250 ml coconut water

Some additional tips:

• If you want the smoothies to be slushier, use frozen fruit in place of fresh
• If adding yogurt, look for low or no sugar options; also look for natural or Greek yogurt for extra protein
• Add chia seeds, moringa powder, flax seeds or omega liquid for extra health benefits
• Add kefir, a fermented milk drink that adds lots of probiotics

Melissa Collins is a freelance writing mother of 2 girls. When she’s not cleaning up cheerios and play dough, she can likely be found curled up n her hammock with a good book. Check her out at www.mellysmommymanual.com.