Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

This Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie will satisfy all of your peanut butter needs. Gulp this down with a friend, or two, and enjoy every creamy, delicious sip! I used cashew milk in this recipe which is my new favourite dairy-free milk – it’s rich and creamy and subtle tasting. I can’t wait to try making my own. This recipe is special to me because I made it to share with my friends Tonner and Micheal over at The Good Stuff – these guys are SO cool. The Good Stuff sources local and organic ingredients to add to their pre-made and ready-to-blend smoothie combinations. I can honestly say that this delivery service is a huge help for a busy lifestyle, all you have to do is grab a Good Stuff frozen smoothie cup from your freezer and blend with any liquid of your choice and you’ve got yourself an awesome breakfast or snack! They also have inspiring smoothie recipes and tips on their blog, HERE.

NOW IT’S PEANUT BUTTA TIME…

Not only is this smoothie delicious, but it’s also packed with nutritional benefits:

• Cashew milk contains a variety of trace minerals and vitamins, which help maintain healthy body functions
• Peanut butter is an awesome source of plant-based protein. Opt for good quality, fresh peanut butter where you can actually taste the difference. I like Adam’s Crunchy peanut butter as I find it tastes the freshest. Nuts to You Peanut Butter is quite good as well.
• Bananas can help reduce cramping in the body because of the electrolyte potassium. Therefore, I love adding bananas to my smoothies when I’ve got leg cramps or period cramps. It also helps to regulate your blood pressure – bananas rule. Make sure to use spotty, ripe bananas for optimal digestion and nutritional benefit!
• Maple syrup is my favourite source of natural sweetener, partially because I am really proud to be Canadian, and also because it contains trace minerals and won’t spike your blood sugar as much as other sugars might. A little bit goes a long way, and that mapley taste is just to die for!
• Blackstrap molasses is an awesome addition to anybody’s diet. It’s packed with minerals that will promote healthy, strong hair and nails and flawless skin. It is also a great source of vegan iron! It has a very strong taste, so I only add a little into my smoothies, like this recipe here, but you could also alternatively add 1 tsp to a warm glass of lemon water and chug it first thing in the morning to start your day with a mineral boost!
• Cinnamon is a great blood sugar balancer, so I always especially add it to recipes where I use sugars, such as maple syrup. The cinnamon brings a great flavour to this smoothie but can be optional if you don’t have it on hand. I also recommend a pinch of cardamom if you’ve got it – delish!
• Raw cocoa is another great source of vegan iron and protein. Raw cocoa versus processed, conventional cocoa has not been processed, therefore is still has an abundance of vitamins and minerals. So yes, chocolate can be healthy, just make sure you are choosing the right form. I love PranaBio raw cocoa powder or Navitas Naturals raw cocoa powder. A little bit goes a long way with this as well, so even adding a tbsp. into smoothies will be both delicious and nutritionally beneficial!