Creamy, nutty, and naturally sweet, this Green Peanut Butter Date Smoothie is a nutritious breakfast any time of year!

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Start your day off right with a serving each of vegetables, fruit, and healthy protein and fat. This Green Peanut Butter Date Smoothie is an easy-to-make and delicious breakfast smoothie that will fill you up and power you through your morning.

Anytime I think about or mention "healthy eating," my focus is always on adding nutritious foods into the diet. Not taking certain foods out.

After all, for way too long diet culture has told us that we are "too much" and we need to take away in order to be "healthy." What if we are already more than enough -- just as we are? That we can eat to enhance and take care of ourselves, not punish or neglect ourselves?

One of the nutritious food categories I try to care for my body by incorporating more of into my diet are vegetables. They're rich in micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, high in fiber, and usually very nutritious for their calorie profile (always talk to your dietitian to get the most accurate rundown on what you're eating).

Adding veggies onto our plates can take the place of less nutrient-dense food. Side note: please notice that I'm not saying "unhealthy" or "bad" because I don't believe we should over simplify or make moral judgments on food. Vegetables provide us with more health benefits and fill us up. From there, balance with the less nutrient-dense food naturally falls into place.

We fuel our bodies and satisfy our souls. We find a way of eating and living that we can stick with for the long haul.

It's the kind of balance that says -- yes, I'd like a hamburger but I'm going to enjoy it with a hearty salad instead of fries. Or, that I want to make taco macaroni and cheese, but I'll stir sauteed peppers, onions, and spinach into the sauce while I'm at it.

I'm often trying to think of this kind of balance when it comes to breakfast, too. How can I eat foods that I'm craving but make them healthier while I'm at it? Particularly, how do I start my day off strong with vegetables?

Smoothies are an easy way for me to do that. They're naturally sweet and delicious but can also sneak in so many healthy ingredients: baby greens, frozen veggies, nutrient-rich nuts and seeds.

They're kind of breakfast that I feel good about eating but also enjoy, too!

This peanut butter date smoothie is one such smoothie. With a -plant-based milk (or dairy, if you please) base, collagen peptides, hemp seeds, baby kale, Medjool dates, and more, this smoothie delights with a creamy nutty base and a naturally-sweet finish.

It's a smoothie that I've been adding to my morning routine. As a reminder that I don't need to take away, but to gain, in order to reach my goals. I hope this recipe delivers you that freedom, too.

This date smoothie recipe is...

• Creamy
• Naturally-sweet
• Nutty
• Brimming with fruits & veggies
• Rich in healthy fats
• Full of fiber
• Easy to make
• Family-friendly

Start your day off powered by healthy vegetables, fresh fruit, and collagen and plant-based protein with this easy-to-make collagen smoothie!

Recipe ingredients

• Almond milk - unsweetened is best
• Hemp seeds
• Collagen peptides powder - I get mine from Thrive Market!
• Banana
• Baby kale or spinach
• Medjool dates - their soft flesh is perfect for this smoothie!
• Natural Peanut Butter
• Ice cubes

Ingredient substitutions

• Protein powder - substitute an unflavored or vanilla protein powder for the collagen powder. Using a sweetened vanilla protein powder may make the smoothie sweeter, however.
• Nut or seed butter - use your favorite nut or seed butter in place of the peanut butter, no problem!
• Milk - any type of milk (nut, pea, oat, dairy) can work in place of the almond milk

What type of dates are best for this smoothie?

The best dates for this smoothie are pitted Medjool dates. Medjool dates are large dates with soft flesh (see the picture above). They are naturally sweet and blend up so well for smoothies.

Unfortunately, Deglet Noor dates are too waxy and dry to work well in this recipe.

Can you make this smoothie vegan?

Yes, it is super easy to make this smoothie vegan (and vegetarian!). Just substitute a vegan unflavored or vanilla protein powder for the collagen powder or omit it altogether.

As I shared above, if you use vanilla protein powder the flavor may be a bit sweeter. You can adjust this by using just 1 ½ or 2 dates in the recipe.

How to make this peanut butter date smoothie...

1. Add the smoothie ingredients to the blender in the order listed.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Enjoy! (Don't you love an easy recipe?!)

Collagen smoothie pro-tips:

1. Use fresh baby greens - check the expiration date on the greens to make sure they are still fresh. You don't want wilted or slimy - it will add a very unpleasant taste to the smoothie. If keeping up with fresh greens is too much hassle, see my storage hack below!
2. Layer the ingredients in the blender in the order listed - add all the smoothie ingredients into the blender in the order listed. This helps the smoothie to blend with the least amount of stress on the engine.
3. Use Medjool dates - Deglet Noor dates are delicious, but they don't have the right consistency for this recipe

A baby greens storage hack:

Keep your smoothie baby greens fresh longer by storing them in the freezer! This way, you don't have to worry about them going bad. You also can just grab handfuls of the greens right out of the freezer and they'll contribute to the cool and icy texture of the drink.

Can you double or triple this recipe?

Tools needed to make this recipe:

• Measuring cups & spoons
• High-speed blender

Other smoothie and healthy breakfast recipes you'll love:

• Creamy Raspberry Smoothie
• Spinach & Blueberry Smoothie
• Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
• Oat Protein Cookies
• Whole Wheat Waffles
• Pineapple Banana Smoothie

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