Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

Chocolate, peanut butter and banana are one of those flavour combinations that can be enjoyed any time of year. And booooooy do I ever!

I love it when a smoothie can feel like a dessert, and this recipe totally hits all the right spots. It’s jam packed with chocolate, peanut butter, avocado and banana making my world complete one sip at a time.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!! I’ll be kicking back with one of these!

Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie
Recipe lightly adapted from Baked Bree
Makes 1 smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup Chocolate Almond milk
1 tbsp smooth peanut butter
1/4 of an avocado
1 tsp coconut oil
1 frozen banana
2-4 ice cubes, for desired thickness

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together until smooth and garnish with a banana chunk.

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

I had a birthday party for two on the 8th. I turned 25, and the boy and I celebrated with mulled wine, the walking dead, paneer curry…and cake.

Ohhhh the cake. It had a toasted marshmallow frosting, a delightful spiced sweet potato based cake and cinnamon brown sugar buttercream. Everything was going splendidly until, seemingly out of nowhere, I broke my buttercream.

This will forever be entitled “My 25th: Broken Buttercream Birthday”. Now that’s just not pretty, but it WAS tasty. Like out of this world good.

Another delicious thing I made on my birthday was this banana bread. With swirls of cinnamon and sugar throughout this bread it’ll make you think you’re eating a dessert! I love all kinds of banana bread, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. Shall we get started?

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour a loaf pan (mine was 9 x 5). Mash those ripe bananas.

Mix bananas, butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla together. sprinkle baking soda and salt around on top of the banana mixture. Then gently stir in flour. Be careful not to over-mix!

In a small dish, mix together the 1/3 cup sugar and 1 Tbs cinnamon. This stuff makes me giddy.

Add 1/2 of the batter to the loaf pan and then sprinkle half, or a little more than half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture all over the batter in the pan. Add the rest of the batter, and then sprinkle the leftover cinnamon-sugar on top.

Bake for 50-60 minutes and keep a close eye on it!

Let cool on a rack and dig in!

For other banana bread recipes see my:
Banana Sweet Potato Bread
Swirly Nutella Banana Bread
Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Banana Bread Pancakes

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Makes 1 loaf
Recipe lightly adapted from Love in the Oven

Ingredients:
3 over-ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour

For the swirl:
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour a loaf pan. Mine was 9 x 5, but you could use any sort, I suppose. Just keep a close eye on it in the oven, and adjust the time as needed.

Mix bananas, butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla together. sprinkle baking soda and salt around on top of the banana mixture. Then gently stir in flour. Be careful not to over-mix!

In a small dish, mix together the 1/3 cup sugar and 1 Tbs cinnamon.

Add 1/2 of the batter to the loaf pan and then sprinkle half, or a little more than half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture all over the batter in the pan. Add the rest of the batter, and then sprinkle the leftover cinnamon-sugar on top.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, but remember, if you’re using a different-sized loaf pan, be careful and keep a close eyeball on it!

5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Pudding

5 things I HATED (scream-able) when I was 15:
1. Tofu
2. Kale
3. Sushi (mostly the seaweed)
4. Avocado
5. Dipping sauces for anything. Just salt, thank you.

Now, at (exactly 12 days until I’m) 25, those 5 things have turned into my LOVE (again, scream-able) list.

I want tofu in my pudding, kale in my soup, seaweed in my veggie sushi, avocado on everything, and dipping sauces galore. Things have changed! This recipe is something I would have snorted at as a sassy, 15 year old, but it is totally not tofu-ish at all! It’s sweet, creamy, and so delicious. I hope you enjoy…4 servings quickly turned into 2. Oh well.

All you have to do to make this is throw all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If needed, add salt. Mmmmm.

5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Pudding
Recipe taken from Healthy Happy Life
makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 lb silken tofu, drained (about one fridge-section package)
2 large ripe bananas
3-4 Tbsp peanut butter, chunky/salted
2/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Salt to taste if needed
2-3 Tbsp virgin coconut oil (this will help firm up the pudding and adds richness (optional)

Directions:
Add all ingredients to a blender and taste test. If needed, add salt.

Pour into 4 serving dishes or a large bowl. Chill until thick. Serve!

Banana Almond Smoothie

Here’s a way to traumatize your kids: take them to the Biodome/zoo/nature center, bring them to see the Beavers, and let them observe the dead beaver floating in the synthetic pond.

This happened to me this past weekend, and I am happy to report that the Beaver was not dead. It certainly looked dead, and stiff, and weird, but The Boy was talking about his horrible experience to a co-worker who assured him that Mr. Beaver was alive. Turns out that this is some sort of resting behaviour. Who knew?!

Something interesting always happens in Montreal, and I love spending time there. There are soooo many awesome food places to try, and can’t wait to keep visiting and trying everything out. When I return home though, I like to get back to a healthy breakfast and came across this awesome smoothie in my bookmarks. Thaaaaank goodness. This is hands down the best smoothie I’ve made all month. Keep in mind, I make a smoothie for breakfast every 20 out of 30 days…so that’s saying a lot! Plus it’s made with almond butter, which it totally delicious. Check it out.

All you have to do is toss all your ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Pour into a glass and enjoy.

Banana Almond Smoothie
Recipe lightly adapted from Cookie and Kate

Ingredients:
1 large frozen banana
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp flax seed
1 cup vanilla almond milk (or other milk if you don’t have any)
1 tsp agave nectar (or honey if you want)
1/8 tsp almond extract (or vanilla extract, but the almond extract really makes it)!

Directions:
Toss all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Pour into a glass and enjoy.

Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Banana Bread Pancakes

Today I’m celebrating an extraordinary woman.

Is it her birthday? Nope. But it was last week, and this spunky, hilarious woman turned 95. NINETY FIVE! She’s my great Grandma (“Gran”), and she still drives, lives alone, AND still gives me $20 of “emergency” money every time I see her. What a gal.

I’m super busy with school, so I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t get a chance to go to my sweet Great Gran’s birthday party last week. So, I decided to make some pancakes and yell to the world “HEY GRAN. YOU’RE AWESOME!”. Hopefully she can taste through the screen,

Let’s make these! In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.

Measure out the milk and add the vanilla extract to it.

Whisk together the dry ingredients and add in milk and vanilla, stirring to combine. The mixture will still be dry.

Mash your bananas.

Add them in to your bowl.

Mix! Add in melted butter and stir until batter is somewhat smooth.

Heat a skillet or grilled on medium heat. Using a 1/3 cup measure, spoon batter into rounds and flatten the batter with a spatula. Cook until bubbles form on top – about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for a minute or two more. Repeat with remaining batter.

Combine all glaze ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth.

Serve pancakes hot with the vanilla maple glaze. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Banana Bread Pancakes
makes 12 pancakes
Recipe taken from How Sweet It Is

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Vanilla Maple Glaze:
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Measure out the milk and add the vanilla extract to it. Whisk together the dry ingredients and add in milk and vanilla, stirring to combine. The mixture will still be dry. Add in mashed bananas and mix. Add in melted butter and stir until batter is somewhat smooth.

Heat a skillet or grilled on medium heat. Using a 1/3 cup measure, spoon batter into rounds and flatten the batter with a spatula. Cook until bubbles form on top – about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for a minute or two more. Repeat with remaining batter.

Combine all glaze ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth.

Serve hot with butter and syrup, or the vanilla maple glaze.

Green Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

This past weekend the boy and I crossed the border to visit with the Grandparents. While in the States I saw some awesome State Trooper hats, a robbed bank, and the biggest supermarket that I’ve ever seen, but most importantly, I bought and tried Biscoff spread!

Along with all the awesomeness, the Grandparents made sure that Paul and I were well fed and had cookies and sweets at every meal (very important). I had the best time, but am now feeling like I need a day off “bad stuff”. So, this morning I blended together this beauty. A peanut butter and banana smoothie that tastes delicious, but is super healthy to boot!

To make this, place all ingredients into a blender with the heavy stuff on the bottom.

Blend on high until very smooth.

Enjoy! You’ll love it.

Green Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie
Makes 1 smoothie
Recipe taken from Healthy Food For Living
5 weight watchers points plus per smoothie

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk of choice (I used 1%)
1 medium-sized ripe frozen banana
1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (I used 0%)
2 Tbsp quick oats
1 Tbsp unnatural smooth peanut butter
2 big handfuls washed and dried baby spinach
a few dashes ground cinnamon, optional

Directions:
Place all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until very smooth.

Banana Yogurt Breakfast Smoothie

Another smoothie? YES! And if you’re new here, hi! Hope you like smoothies.

This is the last blended awesomeness I have for you this week. I had so much fun doing this! Actually, I got so into it that I ended up making waaay more than 5 smoothies. So, I’ll have a bunch to share with you at a later date, which is exciting.

This smoothie is truly full of goodness. Greek yogurt, banana, honey, and almond milk blended together to help you beat the heat. And boooooy do I need this!

All you have to do is throw all of your ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth(ie). he he

Drink up!

And don’t forget to enter my giveaway that ends this Sunday! Yes, I said Saturday before, BUT I’m going camping this weekend and will be without internet for a few days. Silly me.

Banana Yogurt Breakfast Smoothie
Recipe taken from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures
Makes 2 cups

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk (I used vanilla almond milk)
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 frozen sliced ripe large banana
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (I used nonfat)

Directions:
Combine milk, ice, honey, nutmeg and the banana in a blender. Press the top on tightly then process for 2 minutes or until smooth. Add the yogurt and process just until blended and serve!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

When it’s June I’m not only excited about the awesome appearance of summertime weather, but also the arrival of strawberry season. It rocks my socks.

This past Sunday the boy and I woke up early and went strawberry picking at one of the local farms. The picking was simply awesome. We picked 4 L of berries in about 20 minutes without having to go down the patch very far at all. So fun!

Also, strawberry picking and making homemade jam is on my summer bucket list! Soooo there’s one thing checked off!!

To make these, simply throw all of the ingredients into your blender and blend until it’s all combined.

Pour into glass and serve!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Makes 2 servings
Recipe taken from Simply Scratch

Ingredients:
1 frozen banana
1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
3/4 cup vanilla yogurt (I used vanilla greek yogurt)
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 tablespoon honey
pinch of cinnamon

Directions:
Throw all of the ingredients into the blender and blend until all combined.

Pour into glass and serve!

BUT WAIT! Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card! Contest ends this Saturday.

Banana Chocolate Smoothie

When there is chocolate in my smoothie I know I’m having a great day. You could tell me that I smell bad or that my shoes look like 1990’s high tops, but I won’t care – because hunny, I’ve had a wicked awesome smoothie today for 5 times cheaper than your shotty Starbucks frappuccino (yes, I had to google that spelling).

I’m really enjoying this whole smoothie-week thing. I’m making fun and fabulous smoothies every morning and have been feeling amazing at work! They have totally been carrying me through my day.

This smoothie in particular is filled with chocolate, banana and greek yogurt. Try it out! No disappointments possible! All you have to do is throw all ingredients together in a blender and give them a whirl! Easy, peasy.

OH! And don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card! Contest ends on Saturday. Good luck!

Banana Chocolate Smoothie
Yield: 2 servings
Recipe taken from Annie’s Eats

Ingredients:
3 frozen bananas, peeled
2 tbsp. chocolate syrup
¾ cup plain greek yogurt
1 tsp. espresso powder (optional)
1 tbsp. flax seed (optional)
½ cup milk, plus more as needed

Directions:
Throw all ingredients together in a blender and give them a whirl! Easy, peasy.

Banana Bread Green Monster Smoothie for Smoothie Week {and an Amazon Giveaway}!

Giveaway Closed

I hate to point out the obvious, but summer totally came early. It’s completely acceptable to wear a bathing suit under your dress and it’s totally acceptable to avoid your black kitty on these crazy hot days. My evil feline has become even more of a cuddle bug when the weather is hot out…yeah, she has a sense of humour.

So naturally, I’ve been making a lot of smoothies and thought I’d share a bunch of wicked awesome blended (and healthy) treats with you this week. This is big for me. Since I started this blog I have never (ever ever) posted for five days straight – but baby, I’m all yours from today until Friday! And I’m giving away a gift card. Awesome.

To make this smoothie combine the ingredients in your blender, with the light stuff on bottom (spinach, oats, cinnamon, walnuts). Then add your frozen banana and pour the milk over the top.

Blend until everything is nice and smooth.

Enjoy!

Banana Bread Green Monster Smoothie
Serves one (or two small servings)
Recipe lightly adapted from Full Measure of Happiness
7 Weight Watchers Points plus per recipe

Ingredients:
1 ripe banana, frozen
1 cup milk (I used vanilla almond milk)
2 handfuls fresh spinach leaves
1/8 C walnuts
1/4 C oats
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Combine the ingredients in your blender, with the light stuff on bottom (spinach, oats, cinnamon, walnuts). Then add your banana (and ice, if your banana isn’t frozen), and pour the milk over the top.

Blend until everything is nice and smooth.

Amazon Giveaway Details:
Now that we’ve made this delicious treat, I thought I would ask YOU! Yes, you, to tell me your favorite smoothie recipe! That’s all you have to do to be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

For three EXTRA entries:

Just let me know you did the following (and if you follow me on Facebook and Pinterest already, let me know!)

1. Twitter Follow Warm Vanilla Sugar and then tweet the following:
“I entered to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card from @katrinadingle! Check it! http://bit.ly/NF2Nvb #smoothietime”

2. Like Warm Vanilla Sugar on Facebook

3. Follow Warm Vanilla Sugar on Pinterest

NOTES:
-Contest ends Saturday, June 23, 2012 and winner will be chosen randomly.
-Open to everyone world wide!