This peanut butter vanilla green shake is loaded with nutrients, boosted with protein, and tastes deceptively rich.
Let’s try something different here! I’ve said before that I could start a blog based solely on fun and delicious beverages, but I always feel a creeping sense of guilt when I post a smoothie or other beverage as the weekly offering here. It seems too easy and just not interesting enough.
And yet! Health-supporting beverages are most definitely having a sustained moment on the internet/in real life. I’ve always maintained that preparing yourself with a few good smoothie, juice, and hot beverage recipes is a smart strategy when you’re trying to make some healthy habits permanent.
Thoughtful drinks seem to punctuate my days out of necessity, so I’m going to start sharing those here as a little weekly supplement. All along with some links–stuff and things about food, health, a few randoms in there, and just some generally interesting things to click over! Also, if you like this go-to green smoothie of mine, you might also like this Chocolate Banana Oat Breakfast Smoothie.
A Michael Pollan documentary series is coming to Netflix!
I made a vegan version of this one-pan farro with tomatoes a little while ago, subbing half of the farro with quinoa, and using preserved tomatoes along with a few hothouse cherry ones (and also showering it with pine nut parm). It was the perfect, suspiciously easy, cold weather supper.
Me and my dry winter skin are obsessed with the oil cleansing method. The difference in texture, moisture, redness, and overall detectable nourishment is night and day. I can’t believe it took me so long to try it. Great video here!
One of my favourite blogs is becoming a cookbook. Plus granola bars <3
Something to inform you as you gaze at the full moon tonight: “The expansive and generous spiritual principles that bring humanity together as a whole will be illuminated by this full moon.”
The new Insta-spirituality. “It’s unsettling to think that soul-enriching practices could be a passing trend in the same way over-the-knee boots were four seasons ago.”
Your gut/life needs fiber.
David Bowie impersonates Bruce Springsteen, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits.
A perfect guide to growing and using nature’s original superfood: sprouts!
Peanut Butter Vanilla Green Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 1 cup packed baby spinach
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon flax seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
- ¼ cup ice
Optional add-ins:
- 1 teaspoon mesquite powder
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Equipment
Notes
- I used to swear off green smoothies/shakes that were plant milk-based. As freaky as it sounds, I wanted to taste the greens. I liked the freshness of them with fruit, coconut water, mint, and maybe some cucumber. Lately though, cravings for a milky/creamy greens drink with peanut butter came over me. I’ve had this shake almost every day for the past couple weeks. It’s one of those “Betcha can’t taste the greens!” kinda numbers, which is its own special kind of fun sometimes.
Instructions
- In an upright blender, combine the non-dairy milk, baby spinach, banana, peanut butter, flax seeds, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, ice, and any add-ins you may be using. Blend on high for a full minute, or until completely smooth. Enjoy!
This is the best green smoothie I’ve ever had! Thank you so much for the recipe. Definitely going in my regular smoothie rotation.
This smoothie has been on a repeat, I make it without the protein powder for my daughters (7 year old and 10 month old) and I have it with protein powder. We all love it soo much!
This is VERY good! I’ve been looking for tasty smoothie ideas to get more greens, and this does it!
Have never made this one myself. Sounds very delicious though.
Hi – I have made this twice now – second time subbed Kale for the spinach as that’s what I had in. Loved both versions. Thanks you. I’m not quite vegan yet – only gave up meat six months ago, dairy last week. Haven’t stopped eating fish or eggs yet but know I will do better if I take it one step at a time.Love yuor site :)
Sorry typos
this….shake….!!!!!!! It’s so, so, so good and going on heavy rotation around these parts. :)
this looks so yummy. im going to have to try it. I love the links.
I’m so excited about this new series! Cheers!
Thnak you for few more inspirations.
I know it’s probably really stupid to say – but I just don’t like spinach, is the taste in this recipe strong? The green colour really puts me off, I’m sorry!
Thanks for the links – the Bowie clip is brilliant! I saw him in Glastonbury in 2000 and it was one of the best gigs ever.
Lovely photos, you’ve made me tempted to try the green stuff!
I find baby spinach to be so mild that you really don’t taste it with this shake. You could always try an equal amount of an even milder green like romaine lettuce :)
-L
Really lettuce? I buy romaine all the time :-)
Now I HAVE to try this – thanks so much.
SO JAZZED on this new series Laura. And you linked to my sprouting guide?! Just doing a little happy dance over here NBD (thank you!!!). And now I am all committed to this oil cleansing thing and am about to hop over and read all about the roots of the acai guy cause I totally got hooked on my latest vacay home to CA. You nailed it with these, thanks for the goodies! Hope you had a fun weekend – xo
Love this new series – you always have the best gifs sprinkled throughout your posts so a whole post dedicated to links is just too perfect! Also, you are the absolute best for mentioning my upcoming book! We are going to make 2017 the best cookbook year yet! :)
I feel you on the refusing plant based milk shakes. I sometimes feel like I’m cheating by blending up store bought non dairy milk and greens, instead of eating the whole food. But I got over it, realized I am lucky to live in the days of Vitamix and delicious prepared non dairy milk! Thanks for another delicious plant shake recipe :)
I’m so digging this new feature. The shake looks fantastic, and I’m excited to see what next week is bringing.
Delicious as always. You make a damn good drink Laura!
Happy Hour :D love it!
Healthy drinks are always welcome! Especially such stunning one’s as yours, that photo is so beautiful. We all need to keep hydrated to keep happy :)
Looove everything about this! Excited for happy hour! And gosh dang, what can’t peanut butter make even more delicious these days? I’m going to add this to my power drink lineup for the next week :-) ALSO, hooray hooray for Shelly and blogs–>books!!
I think I would wither up and die if I suddenly became allergic to peanut butter :/
Loving this new post series here Laura! I can’t get enough of spinach in smoothies at the minute. This one looks like the perfect post-gym drink for my weekday fuel! x
Always up for happy hour – of course you manage to make it the happiest of hours :) Loving this new series, Laura. I love health as much as the next gal but I always struggle a little with green drinks, but you’ve managed to keep this one looking + sounding delicious. Happy hour + Pollan. I’m in. x
Thank you for posting this. I was thinking of making something a little less healthy for breakfast, but you make this look so good I’ll have to have it instead!
YESSS! This is similar to my long-time fave. Vanilla Vega is so good in smoothies, gives you that thicky thick smoothie texture, it’s also amazing in a blueberry smoothie, just fyi (I just do bluebs, frozen banana, cashew milk and vega – the best!)
The new formulation of Vega sport is sooooo creamy. Even just mixed with water, it feels sorta rich. Your smoothie sounds so good! Like a blueberries and cream kinda vibe :D
-L
I love the idea behind this! I am so excited for the Michael Pollan Netflix series- I’ve read all his books and can’t wait to see what the series is like. What oil do you use for oil cleansing? I don’t wash my face with soap or anything, I just use water and then moisturize with a facial oil- but my skin has been so so dry this winter and I’m curious about oil cleansing!
Thanks Genevieve! Since I’ve only just started with the oil cleansing method, I’ve honestly tried a new blend almost every night. So far, I think I like a mix of castor oil and sweet almond oil the best. Sometimes I spike the basic mix with a drop of lavender or sea buckthorn oil as well. The amount of droppers and bottles on my bathroom counter is kind of crazy right now ;)
-L
The smoothie sounds delicious, peanut butter and cinnamon with vanilla and banana sounds like my favorite smoothies.. And great list of inspiration, found them all inspiring especially the acai sellers story. Thanks for inspiring and sharing all this goodness. Looking forward to the next Happy Hour!
Thanks so much, Nina! I think the açai story was my fave of the bunch, too <3
xo L
Exciting new series :) I love wellness drinks and think they are so much fun to make. I can’t wait to see what ones you come up with. Also loving all the links you shared. Great idea x
They are, admittedly, my favourite recipe to dream up. So fun and sorta minimal time investment, too ;) Thanks Renee!
-L
My read / watch list just doubled! Good thing this is a pretty slow weekend. Thanks for all the goodies!
Hope you enjoy and have a relaxing weekend!
-L
Looks so good :) xx Sofie
I am all for a messy happy hour!!! Also stoked to get a little insight into what’s catching your eye on the interwebs ;)
Love the new series, and the oh so moody shot to kick it off! Also, totally going to look into this oil cleansing method…Montreal winter has my skin on a whole new level of dryness.
Thanks Shelley! The results have been pretty epic for me so far, but our winters definitely aren’t as harsh as Montreal’s ;)
-L
I don’t drink – so I can’t wait for there to be a Happy Hour I can participate in!!! Especially if all the smoothies look as yummy as this one!
I’m planning to keep this series booze-free :D
-L