Shaking Things Up

{image via tasteofhome.com}

When my stepfather met me for the first time, he turned to my mom and said, "For a little girl, she sure can eat a lot."  


And it's true - I love food! And back when I was younger and more spry and ran all the time - this love never appeared in the form of a muffin top, it never nestled on my hips or held on tightly to my lower abs.


But now, with a slower metabolism, less time (motivation) to work out and a sudden obsession for all thing Starbucks - things have changed.  Yet my appetite has remained exactly the same.  That is to say, voracious.


So I decided I needed to shake things up.  Literally. I needed to incorporate some healthy breakfast smoothies into my morning routine.  Which is when I ran across MrBreakfast.com.  


I love Mr. Breakfast - whoever he is.  He's introduced me to a variety of ways to mix up fruit, vanilla soy milk and even Peanut Butter and Jelly! 


Here are a few of my favorites breakfast shakes, courtesy of the new guy in my life:


Banana Almond Crush

• 2 bananas
• 1 cup orange juice
• 3/4 cup plain organic yogurt
• 1 tblspn raw honey
• 1/3 cup raw almonds
• 1 dash nutmeg

In a blender, first grind almonds to fine powder. Add remaining ingredients and continue blending.


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Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 ripe banana (frozen)
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons jelly or preserves (any flavor)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 1 cup of ice

Place all of the ingredients in a blender; blend for 3 minutes or until smooth. Serve cold.


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Blueberry Smoothie

• 2 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
• 1 1/4 cups apple juice
• 1 cup frozen yogurt -- vanilla
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions are real easy. Just throw everything in the blender and blend until smooth. Serve right away.