My Favorite Fruit Smoothie

We've all heard it before, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"  Although when it comes to making breakfast for myself, I can admit to being lazy all too often and skipping it.  I know, I know, but I have learned and do realize this is not a healthy way to start my day.  That it won't give me the metabolism boost I desire, especially when trying to lose extra pounds, and I certainly want to get my metabolism revved up for the day if it helps me do that!

I started to see results after watching my diet more closely and including healthier choices, and eating a healthy breakfast.  I really do like having breakfast now, and actually look forward to it, plan for it, and enjoy it!  I don't go all wild, like a full on Uncle Herschel's breakfast everyday-(a favorite choice from Cracker Barrel), but I will have that once in a while as a reward, and because I believe that...deprivation is failure!

I'm choosing to start my day with a better balance of healthy choices now.  One of my favorite quick breakfasts has been a fruit smoothie.  It is quick, simple to make, delicious and very satisfying, also it fills me up and fuels me.  Smoothies have been popular for a while and I can see why!  There are many variations and ingredients that can be used so it's never boring.  I do have my favorites, but occasionally I'll experiment by trying something different and out of the ordinary.  If in a hurry in the morning, this is a great on-the-go take-along.  Kids love these too.  It's like having a milkshake for breakfast!

I'm sharing my favorite fruit smoothie recipe today...Strawberry-Banana!

I think it's great for breakfast or an afternoon snack, and I also make this for my lunch if I haven't had one at breakfast.  This is a basic recipe and can be changed by using different flavor combinations.  That's one of the great things about smoothies, the limitless options!

I tend to always have frozen bananas and strawberries on hand, I simply peel ripe bananas, half them and then place them in freezer bags, then freeze.  I remove the leaf tops from fresh, clean, dry strawberries then place those in separate freezer bags, then freeze.

This works well for most fresh fruits so I am always keeping an eye out for sales on fresh fruits so I can buy extras to freeze.  If you are looking for another great way to add more healthy greens to your diet, a handful of spinach is an added nutritional benefit too, and I can't taste that it's in there!(the color will change, but not the taste!  If the green smoothie appearance bothers you, just put it in a non see-thru cup!)

Juice can be used for the liquid in this recipe if you like.  Typically I have used fat-free milk instead of juice, but I discovered almond milk recently and I've found that I love it!  I prefer using almond milk instead of juice for a creamer fruit smoothie, and the extra nutritional benefits of the almond milk.  I also use a protein powder for the added protein.  I like to add in a few ice cubes too.  I just throw all the ingredients into my Ninja blender and mix until well blended....pour it up and then enjoy!

~ My Favorite Fruit Smoothie ~

Strawberry-Banana Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk, or fat-free/low fat milk, or juice- orange or pineapple

1/2 to 1 scoop of protein powder

1 frozen banana - in pieces

2 large or 3 small frozen strawberries
1/2 cup ice cubes - more can be added for addition thickness
Optionals-
1/4 cup almonds
1/2 to 1 cup fresh spinach

1 to 2 packets of sweetener(I use Stevia) if sweeter is desired

Directions:

Place all ingredients in blender.  Blend well.  Serve. 

Makes about 16 ounces

Sip-Sip & Enjoy!...