After the seemingly endless holiday buffet of donuts, coffee cake, and muffins, our bodies are yearning for a fresh start!  Those treats were all tasty at the time, but there’s nothing better than starting the day with a healthy breakfast and an abundance of energy. When the cold, gray reality of a February morning sends you running for the pastries or a quick cup of coffee, don’t let your New Year’s Resolutions and positive intentions fall by the wayside. Instead, you can spend less than 5 minutes whipping up a nutritious meal that your entire family will devour. Loaded with the delicious flavors of chocolate, bananas, and peanut butter, this Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie is a simple way to power you through the day!

Y’all, the kids and I are definitely back on the Smoothie Train! I got a new high-speed blender for Christmas that I have been secretly eyeing for years. Now that it’s officially mine, we have been enjoying a variety of smoothies for breakfasts and snacks on a daily basis over the last month. But let me tell you — this recipe is by far #1 on my family’s list.

Of course, at the start of the New Year, you see plenty of green smoothies, “detox” smoothies, and other wholesome concoctions splashed across the internet. But here’s a reality check: if I serve my boys (or husband) a class of thick, brownish-green sludge, there is no chance that they will actually ingest the beverage — regardless of how many vitamins it contains. Instead, if I want them to fuel up with fruit, protein, and healthy fats, I better make it all taste ah-mazing.

Mission accomplished! This Chunky Monkey Smoothie is so rich, so chocolatey, and so thick that the kids prefer to eat it with a spoon!

When the boys and I recently stopped in Kroger to pick up a few groceries, our first stop (as usual) was the Natural Foods Department. Casey tossed a container of his beloved strawberries into the cart, Gibbs grabbed a bunch of bananas, and Spence instantly bee-lined to his favorite organic yogurt and milk. Since shopping with three kids is anything but easy, I appreciate that I can grab all of my family’s favorites in one quick stop. There are bulk bins with affordable nuts and whole grains, aisles of snacks and cereals, and even an extensive refrigerated case of organic dairy and non-dairy options! The Natural Foods Department is like its own little gourmet market, where I can easily find my favorite brands in one spot. For this busy mom, it makes grocery shopping more affordable and more efficient.

Made with entirely plant-based ingredients from the Natural Foods Department, like this Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Cashew Milk, the decadent-tasting smoothie stays light and dairy-free.

Since I often exercise in the morning, I like to make my smoothie with a scoop of chocolate protein powder to help with muscle recovery post-workout. However, when I’m preparing this for the boys, I typically swap out the protein powder and replace it with a container of yogurt. The Silk Vanilla dairy-free yogurt alternative has 6 grams of protein and adds a nice sweetness to the smoothie.

All of the additional ingredients for this smoothie can also be picked up in the Natural Foods Department at Kroger, including the banana, unsweetened cocoa powder, plant-based chocolate protein powder, peanut butter, and even dairy-free chocolate chips for garnish!

When we were enjoying the smoothie for breakfast this morning alongside some wholegrain toast, Gibbs pumped his hands in the air and said, “this is the best breakfast I’ve ever had!” Coming from a choosy seven-year-old, I consider that a BIG WIN.

My family might think that they’re getting away with dessert for breakfast, but I know that their little bodies are nourished with a plant-based powerhouse smoothie giving them a fresh, healthy start to the day. And with my own tall glass of chocolate and peanut butter goodness, what more could I ask for?!

Tip: This smoothie is a great way to use up overripe bananas. Whenever you have a spotted banana sitting on the counter, slice it into rounds, wrap it tightly in a bag, and pop it in the freezer. When you need a frozen banana to add a thick, creamy, sweet texture to a smoothie, you’ll have one ready to go!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of WhiteWave Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.