Smooth, creamy and cold, this berry smoothie will knock your socks off – especially when you have a “breakfast box.”

Let’s talk about “the breakfast box.” I came up with the idea after turning into the Tazmanian devil one morning, as I found myself frantically pulling ingredients out of every last cabinet to make my morning concoction.  It was clear, an intervention was needed.  

That’s when I met this EZOWare Mesh Metal Basket, where I now store away everything in one place (aside from two perishable ingredients) to quickly assemble a yummy morning smoothie.

So what’s inside my breakfast box?  My all-time favorite protein powder by the Garden of Life, almond butter (check for ingredients that only say the word, “almonds,” to avoid some of the additional saturated fat from fractionated palm oil), and flaxseed meal.  I also keep another type of Garden of Life protein powder in our breakfast box since one of my kids likes the strawberry flavor, but we also enjoy the pea-protein Garden of Life.  You can really keep whatever non-perishable ingredients you want on hand in here so that when you’re ready to make your shake, it is ready to go.  

For the base of your smoothie, you will just need two ingredients, a liquid and frozen fruit. For the berry smoothie, I like using an unsweetened vanilla almond milk or a sweetened vanilla almond milk, and frozen berries. 

This smoothie is hands down one of my favorites that makes for a yummy and filling breakfast. It can also act as a snack, or as a side to a kid’s breakfast (generally I blend too much for one person anyway, and then the leftovers end up into the kids’ cups as a side). Loaded with berries and flaxseeds, this smoothie is crammed with antioxidants and fiber – SUCH a great way to start the day. 

I love blending it up and then drinking it out of a quart-sized mason jar, which is an excellent storage container for many other items that I will be recommending down the line, such as mason jar salads, granola, fruit-and-veggie infused waters, soups and sauces. 

Sneak peek at my fruit-and-veggie infused water:

Once your smoothie is all blended up, pour it into your mason jar. Smoothies don’t really store all that well in the refrigerator. I have let it sit in a mason jar for about an hour or so, and then will shake it before drinking. That said, it is the most fresh when consumed immediately after blending.  These reusable straws really get to the bottom of the large jar, in case you were wondering, haha! 

There are other flavors you can try, too!  If you’re into chocolate:

• We use the chocolate Garden of Life protein powder
• 1 whole frozen banana (make sure to peel and slice the banana before storing it in the freezer)
• 6-8 ounces vanilla almond milk
• 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal
• 1 tablespoons of cocoa powder 
• 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter.  

The kids love the chocolate one for an after-school snack.

For a green shake, you can do the same base (vanilla almond milk or a coconut water goes nicely) and then add in a huge handful of greens (such as kale or spinach), frozen mango, almond butter and flaxseed meal. 

Next time you make one of these, don’t forget to post and share your experience below!