PEA PROTEIN STRAWBERRY BANANA SPINACH SMOOTHIE

Protein. Always a topic of discussion and concern for those of us eating a plant based diet. When it comes to diet in general, I always advocate for one consisting of MOSTLY whole foods. I say mostly because we all need to indulge every now and then, it keeps us sane right? Some of my indulgences are whole foods based, and some are not. I have yet to be visited by the diet police, so I think you’re safe too The good news it that I have finally found a way to get in extra protein without added extra ingredients. It’s also super low fat AND low carb. It’s PEA PROTEIN and I am beyond excited about it! This vegan strawberry banana spinach smoothie is the perfect way to start my day and keep me FULL. Read until the end because I have another option for those days you don’t feel fruity, I like to mix it up with my pea protein smoothie!

I have never been much of a protein powder person, but I’ve always shared my favorite ones on the market because I know so many of you use them and if I can help out with finding the good ones, I’m in. But when I found this pea protein from NOW Foods, I was hooked. There is literally one ingredient, PEAS. Pure non-gmo peas. And once I saw that, I was sold. Hook. Line. Sinker. The best is that it is low fat and low carb, not a common find in the whole food protein vegan world. It’s like the unicorn of protein! Peas are also highly bioavailable and earth friendly, they have no major allergens and this protein keeps me full! As soon as I tried it, I was on a mission to make pea protein smoothies like it was nobody’s business. And out came this spring fresh, absolutely delicious, vegan strawberry banana spinach smoothie!

So let’s talk breakfast. Particularly the “omg I have no time to eat so I’ll grab a few nuts or skip it” type of breakfast. NOT okay. I’m talking to myself here too. I have 3 kids and when it’s just me at home trying to get everyone fed, including a diabetic cat, I have found myself putting me last and in a position where I can barely grab a handful of nuts. It starts my day off terribly and I’m off my game all day. Until that is, I found a fabulous little trick to keep me on point. And I’m going to share it with you! I now am able to quickly make a fabulous pea protein smoothie, particularly this vegan strawberry banana spinach smoothie! But don’t despair non fruity fans, read until the end because I have another version for you!

Who remembers this little sneak peek from Instagram? Seven 8-ounce jelly jars. That’s all you need to get yourself in check. One jar for each day. One jar that you fill with all the dry ingredients ahead of time, then quickly and easily dump into a blender with a few more things to get your day started right. For the mostly fruity smoothie, you can also have a set of jars for the freezer to keep all the fruit in. Or just use your set there and keep the dry ingredients to a minimum. The possibilities are endless with this pea protein smoothie! The point is to keep yourself organized with easy access to a quick way to start your day. I have gotten into a rhythm now, throw my smoothie ingredients in and turn the blender on while I get the boys breakfast ready. By the time I serve them I can pour my strawberry banana spinach smoothie into a glass and start drinking as I prep everything else for the day. Worst case scenario, I take it with my on the drive to school! Bam! Day started right.

Scroll on down and check out the recipe for this vegan strawberry banana spinach smoothie, and because I love you, I am including a bonus recipe for a non fruit flavored pea protein smoothie. Switch it up and keep it exciting! Read the notes section in each to give you hints on how to organize the ingredients for super quick mornings. Don’t forget to leave me a comment here, find me on Instagram (tag me at veggiesdontbite AND #veggiesdontbite so I don’t miss it) or on Facebook! I LOVE reading all you have to say, and hearing the spins you put on things. It really makes my day! Love to all of you!!