This deceptively simple yet nutrition packed smoothie is super delicious and is the perfect way to start your morning. Loaded with calcium, fiber, vitamins and healthy fats, this creamy vegan smoothie has just the right amount of sweetness (thanks to banana and dates) and the addition of cinnamon gives it a nice flavor and a spicy kick.

It takes only three minutes and literally four (even 3 if you want to skip vanilla) ingredients to have a delicious yet filling breakfast - banana, cinnamon, almond milk and vanilla. I always use home-made almond milk, it's really simple to make at home and healthier than most options available in the market. For almond milk, you just need to soak in almonds overnight, blend it with 2x water and strain it - there you have almond milk in no time!

You can play around with the ratios and ingredients of this smoothie as well. Add water to make it less creamy, replace banana with apple or just throw in an apple for extra nutrition and flavor, swap almond with hazelnut or coconut milk; the possibilities are endless. I've tried several combinations but my favorite is banana, cinnamon and almond milk, sometimes an apple. The best part is, you can have it all year round as cinnamon makes it work from summer through fall.

This delicious concoction has everything you need to maintain your energy throughout the afternoon. Plus the fact that cinnamon has a host of health benefits including controlling blood sugar, anti-infectious, packed with antioxidants, aids in weight loss, effective for menstrual pain (ladies this smoothie can be your PMS reliever) and has anti-aging properties.

I N G R E D I E N T S 

1 organic ripe banana

3/4 glass almond milk (preferably homemade with dates and cold)

3/4 teaspoon grounded cinnamon powder

Pods taken out from 1/4 vanilla stick (optional)

D I R E C T I O N S 

Pour the thick smoothie in a mason jar or glass and dust it with cinnamon powder on top. 

Cook time: 3 minutes

Serve cold!