mama's mocha smoothie

Dear Lincoln,

Your father and I are smoothie fans.  Jamba Juice was a regular pit stop for us on the way to our dating adventures.  My regular was a Peanut Butter Moo'd in what I like to call "little girl size," or, what the menu calls a 16 oz.

This is probably one of the most calorie laden smoothies they make, adding up to nearly 500 calories a pop.  But once I had tasted its creamy sweetness, there was no going back.  Your dad typically chose healthier options like Strawberry Nirvana, but he'd order a 24 oz, which added to his caloric intake quite a bit.  We decided that the secret to a guilt-free smoothie is to make it a meal replacement.  Which is why Jamba for us has always meant lunch-on-the-go or a perfect summer dinner: light and refreshing.

But, sadly for Jamba Juice, we bought a blender a few months ago. And while we still visit our favorite restaurant every now and then, it has lost a lot of its charm.  Well, at least for me, because I have found the PERFECT recipe for my creamy-craving, smoothie-loving self.  This is my new favorite breakfast!

Mama's Mocha Smoothie:

2/3 cup soy or rice milk* (if you're sensitive to dairy, like me)

2 scoops of mocha mix 

4 to 5 ice cubes

1 to 2 bananas, cut into slices

1 huge spoonful of peanut butter (or almond butter, even better!)

Blend all ingredients thoroughly and enjoy!

*For an even creamier version, try frozen yogurt.  

 Because these have coffee in them, your dad doesn't like them.  He's not much for the taste or smell of coffee, which I find disappointing.  It means we don't ever wake to a gently percolating pot of divinity.   (But then again, it also means I get to venture out to local cafes every now and then!)

I haven't shared my caffeinated smoothie with you either, little one, because you're only 11 months old.  But don't worry, there are plenty of baby-friendly smoothies we can try.  So far, you've disliked every single one I have made.  When we find a keeper, I'll post it.