Written by Kate Tietje
It’s basically time for school to start now. A lot of the kids in our area have already gone back. That’s crazy!! We still have a couple of weeks ourselves; our homeschool coop doesn’t start until the first week of September. (It’s actually before Labor Day this year because Labor Day is so late — the 7th.)
With this busier time comes a need for simple, healthy breakfast options. Options that are quick. Smoothies are often on my list for just such mornings because, well…they fit the bill. And kids really like them.
This “monkey” one is no exception.
What’s a Monkey Smoothie?
Well. Recently, I was introduced to cashew milk. I was intrigued by this because, for my dairy-free friends, cashews are one of their favorites. Most of the best dairy substitutes are made from cashew or coconut, so I had to learn more.
Cashew milk is dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free — so it’s good for those with allergies. (It’s obviously not nut-free)
It’s a monkey smoothie because it contains chocolate, cashew milk, nut butter, and bananas. That makes it protein-rich and nourishing, and it’s the food that monkeys eat! (Plus, it’s a fun name for the kids.) You could easily toss in a handful of spinach, kale, or other greens, and no one would know…and it boosts the nutrition even more.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of chocolate milk (I use plain milk with Earthley’s Cocoa Calm)
- 1 banana
- 1/4 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.)
- 1/2 cup ice, or enough to make it the desired thickness
- Small handful of greens (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. That’s it!
Serve immediately. Makes about 2 cups of smoothie, enough for 2 kids or one adult. You can freeze the banana so that it’s peeled and ready to go, and it’ll make the smoothie even thicker and creamier — you might not even need ice.
My daughter really liked it — she proclaimed, “This is better than a regular milkshake, mom!”
Monkey Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate milk
- 1 banana
- 1/4 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.)
- 1/2 cup ice, or enough to make it the desired thickness
- Small handful of greens (optional)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
