Banana Bread Smoothie

Yesterday it got up to 80 F, which felt like over 100 F after this past winter.  I had on shorts and a no sleeve shirt and I was still hot!  Unfortunately for me I had a big-time banana bread craving, but couldn't even think about turning on the oven.  Making a smoothie made the most sense for a snack, so I decoded to make a banana bread smoothie to fulfill my craving and cool off at the same time. Although skeptical about throwing cinnamon and nutmeg in a cold smoothie, it came out delicious and I'm thinking I'm going to get very friendly with this smoothie as the days get hotter :)

The ingredients are so simple:  Frozen banana, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon zest, and walnuts.  You won't believe the sweet, banana bread flavor this smoothie packs with every frosty bite.  No need for flour, butter, and sugar when this frozen treat achieves all the goodness of banana bread without all the added sugar and calories!  Give this a try: it is the perfect alternative to a baked banana bread as the days get warmer (and as bathing suit season comes closer!)


Banana Bread Smoothie
vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free

1 very ripe banana, frozen
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp cinnamon
dash nutmeg
1-2 Tbsp walnuts, chopped

Directions:
1.  Blend banana, vanilla, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and almond milk until smooth.  You can add more almond milk as necessary.  Stir in the chopped walnuts and enjoy!