A Green Banana, Date, & Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie

A green, Freelee-inspired banana date & peanut butter smoothie

My family will tell you: it was only a matter of time before I shared a breakfast smoothie recipe. My son begins nearly every morning with one. While the ingredients typically vary, I am always sure to include some type of green. One of our favorite recipes is this banana, date & peanut butter smoothie (with a little sprinkle of green). I first discovered the combination of dates and bananas from a classic vegan influencer (probably long before the term "influencer" became mainstream) named Freelee the Banana Girl (if you know, you know; if not, check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/freeleethebananagirl/?hl=en). Many years later, I'm not entirely convinced that all her advice is sound, but she remains a nostalgic figure for those of us who have embraced the plant-based lifestyle since the days of Portland's vegan punk rock scene (shout out Black Water Bar & Hungry Tiger, too!) and before. Plus, Freelee recommends fantastic smoothie recipes. Dates are an extraordinary fruit. With the indulgent consistency of caramel, when combined with bananas, they create a creamy, sugary consistency that's hard to resist. Add the other ingredients I recommend for a truly yummy experience!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen spinach

Use frozen spinach to ensure the smoothie is cool and you're getting your daily dose of iron.

• 4-5 bananas

Bananas offer a creamy, carby base.

• 5-6 pitted dates

Dates offer a unique, caramelly texture without refined sugars.

• Cinnamon

Adds dimension, warmth.

• Natural peanut butter

Continued depth with its salty, fat component

• 1 mandarin orange

To support the absorption of iron found in spinach and to add that extra umph

• Almond milk

Almond milk adds creaminess without extra calories (feel free to substitute another, preferred alternative milk)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the ingredients

   Peel the bananas and mandarin orange. Pit the dates if not already pitted.

2. Add to blender

   Place the frozen spinach, bananas, dates, cinnamon (about 1/2 t or to taste), peanut butter (2-3 T), and mandarin orange into the blender.

3. Add almond milk

   Add about 1-2 cups of almond milk. You can adjust the amount as you go depending on your preferred smoothie thickness.

4. Blend until smooth

   Blend for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is creamy, well combined, and at your desired thicccness.

5. Taste and adjust

   If needed, add more cinnamon or a date for sweetness. Add more almond milk if the smoothie is too thick.

   
   

Tips for customizing

• Add the dates toward the end of your blending to encourage larger chunks to form you wont regret it

• Include flax seed meal/flax seeds for extra fiber/omega 3s a constant feature in just about all of my son's smoothies.

• Swap almond milk for oat/soy milk

• Use fresh spinach if you don’t have frozen, but add a few ice cubes to keep it chilled.

  
  

Notes on nutrition

• Fiber from bananas, dates, and spinach support digestion

• Potassium from bananas helps regulate blood pressure

• Vitamin C from mandarin orange enhances iron absorption and immune health

• Healthy fats and protein from peanut butter keep you full

• Antioxidants from cinnamon and spinach protect cells