Recipe: PB-Banana Coffee Smoothie

🧋 I know this recipe sounds weird for a few reasons, but trust me, it’s DELICIOUS and it makes a quick & easy light breakfast on the go.

1. The peanut butter: I was skeptical too, but it goes really well with coffee

2. Yes, that’s regular ground coffee, not instant. It gives a nice “crunch” to your smoothie.

TIP: If you want to boost the staying powder of this smoothie, add ½ to 1 scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder! 🍌

Makes 1 smoothie.

Ingredients:

• ½ tbsp ground coffee 

• 1 tbsp peanut butter

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• ¾ cup (180 ml) of your milk of choice

• ¼ cup (60 ml) brewed coffee, chilled

• ½ frozen ripe banana (the riper, the sweeter)

• ice, as needed to thicken

• OPTIONAL: Add a small amount of honey or maple syrup to sweeten if necessary

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Add more ice (if it’s too thin) or milk (if it’s too thick) to reach your desired consistency. 

2. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by nata_vkusidey from Getty Images 

Recipe: Mocha-Banana Coffee Smoothie

I’ve got a delicious smoothie recipe that will start off your day great, too!

It’s a crave-worthy mocha-banana coffee smoothie…

And it makes for a great on-the-go breakfast or pre- or post-workout mini-meal.

It couldn’t be any easier to make. Just remember to set aside some of your leftover brewed coffee in the fridge ahead of time!

Also, before you “make that face”, yes... that’s cauliflower in the ingredients list. 🤩

It’s a great way to sneak some veggies into your smoothie. I promise you won’t even taste it.

NOTE: depending on how thick (or thin) you like your smoothie, you might want to adjust the amount of milk you add.

Feel free to mix this one up. You can swap out the dates for 1 tablespoon of nut butter (almond, PB, etc) instead. The dates = a sweeter smoothie, the nut butter = creamier.

Makes 1 serving.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (180 ml) cold brewed coffee

• ¼ cup (60 ml) unsweetened non-dairy milk (more if necessary)

• ½ cup (55 g) frozen cauliflower florets

• 1 medium frozen banana, chopped

• ½ Tbsp cacao powder

• ½ tsp vanilla

• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (optional)

• 2 soft pitted dates (optional) (if the dates are dry or hardened, soak them in hot water first)

• Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

1. Place all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. 

2. Pour into a glass and enjoy.

I hope you love this one (even the cauliflower!).

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by nadianb

Recipe: Cinnamon Coconut Latte

You also can make this with tea.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces freshly brewed organic coffee

• 2 tbsp coconut cream or canned coconut milk

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• Dash of vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract

• (optional: ½ scoop collagen protein)

Directions:

1. Pour all the ingredients in a blender and blend until combined and smooth (be careful to make sure the cover is on the blender because the splatter will be HOT!).

2. Give it a taste and add more coconut milk if necessary. Pour into a mug and enjoy!

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by Mehmet Onur Bozkurt from Getty Images

Recipe: Healthy Homemade Tea & Coffee Creamer

If you love a little shot of creamer in your coffee or tea, this recipe will let you do that AND feel good about it! It’s a game-changer!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of non-dairy milk (coconut, hemp, pea, almond, cashew – your choice!)

• 2 pitted dates

• Splash of pure vanilla

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• (to make a mocha creamer, add 1-2 tbsp of raw cacao powder)

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor until well combined and smooth. Taste and adjust flavorings.

2. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Be sure to mix it well before each use!

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva Scukrov

Recipe: Mocha Iced Protein Latte

I’ve got a surprisingly good-for-you recipe that’s perfect any time you want a little extra “kick” of energy (including before a workout). 

How does a mocha iced latte sound? (Answer: delicious.)

Here’s why it’s surprisingly good for you – and why it’s a great pre-workout drink:

• Carbs from the banana give your muscles fuel

• Protein can help improve your workout performance & recovery.

• Caffeine from the coffee gives you energy to boost your performance

If you’re not familiar with protein powder, there are literally hundreds on the market now including whey protein (made from dairy products) to plant-based powders made from hemp, rice, or soy.

I’ve tried a bunch, my favorite whey (I don’t do dairy anymore but when I did this was my absolute favorite). Now I use a lot of collagen powder and my current favorite plant based one is sun warrier but it has pea protein which is a histamine I should start to avoid.

TIP: If you drink coffee in the morning, make a little extra and keep it in the fridge to use later in this recipe.

Mocha Iced Protein Latte

(serves 1)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup brewed coffee

• ½ cup extra creamy unsweetened non dairy milk (I use coconut or milkademia)

• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder or/and collagen

• 1 medium frozen banana, sliced 

Directions:

Place the coffee, non-dairy milk, and protein powder(s) in a high-speed blender, cover, and blend well. Add the banana and blend until smooth. If you want a thinner consistency, add a little extra non-dairy milk.

Delicious!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do.

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by Denys Gromov from Pexels