Breakfast on the go

Have you ever wanted a quick and healthier breakfast, but just didn’t have time to cook or had absolutely no ideas on what to make?

That is me every day.

Breakfast seems to be the hardest meal of the day for me because with trying to pack lunches, wrangle a 2-year-old and get out the door for work at a certain time, breakfast is always the meal that stumps me.

A few years ago, I bought a Nutribullet and started whipping up smoothies to try to drink my daily quota of fruits and vegetables.

For some reason, as the years went by, I stopped taking the time to make some of my favorite on-the-go breakfasts, but maybe 2020 should be the year I get back this sweet — and healthier — alternative to the boring bowls of cereal, frozen meals, toast or oatmeal.

And if you add seeds, such as chia seeds or flaxseed, as well as complex carbs such as oatmeal, and protein such as Greek yogurt, the smoothie can become a filling meal in itself.

So here are a few smoothies that I have come up with over the years.

Editor’s note: All recipe amounts are based on the big blending cup of the Nutribullet (approximately 2-3 cups) and should be decreased or increased according to the size of your blender if you don’t have a Nutribullet. You can also add water if the mix isn’t thin enough for you to drink.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

1 handful of fresh spinach (about a ½ cup)

1 medium ripe banana

1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter

½ cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt

1 cup dark chocolate almond, soy milk or chocolate Atkins shake

1 tablespoon chia seeds

½ cup old fashioned oats

1 cup water

1 cup crushed ice

Layer spinach, banana, Greek yogurt, peanut butter and oats in the blender cup. Add chia seeds, almond or soy milk and water. Blend until smooth.

Add crushed ice and blend a few more seconds, until ice is incorporated into mixture.

Vanilla Berry Smoothie

½ cup frozen cherries

½ cup frozen blueberries

½ cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1 tablespoon chia seeds

¼ cup old fashioned oats

Layer berries, Greek yogurt and oats in the blender cup. Add chia seeds and almond milk. Blend until smooth.

Hot Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

Approximately 1/3 cup frozen pitted cherries

1 cup dark chocolate almond milk or 1 milk chocolate delight Atkins shake

¾ cup water

½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons hot chocolate mix

Layer cherries and Greek yogurt in the blender cup. Add almond milk or Atkins shake, water and hot chocolate mix. Blend until smooth.

You can also use chocolate protein powder instead of hot chocolate mix.

Berries and Oats Smoothie

¼ cup frozen cherries

¼ cup frozen raspberries

1 handful of fresh spinach (about a ½ cup)

1 medium banana (optional)

½ cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt

½ cup vanilla almond or soy milk

½ cup dark chocolate almond or soy milk

½ cup old fashioned oats

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 cup water

Layer spinach, cherries, raspberries, banana, Greek yogurt and oats in the blender cup. Add chia seeds, almond or soy milk and water. Blend until smooth.

You can also add other berries, such as strawberries or blueberries.