When I started my Two Minute Monday video series, one of the most common questions I received was, “Where do you find your inspiration for recipes?” (Thanks to Taylor, Andrea, Maria, and many others!) Although at least half of my ideas randomly pop into my head during a long run while my mind is wandering and who-knows-where, there are 4 main places I purposely turn to for inspiration.
1) Family and friends. Sometimes it’s a healthier spin on a traditional treat that’s been passed down through generations (Grandma’s fruitcake comes to mind!), or something that they’ve created that I want to try too (like these soft-baked “Oreos!”), or a copycat or their store-bought favorites (aka Mom’s cocoa roasted almonds!). But most often, it comes as a recipe request (like these Nutella cookies!) because I really enjoy baking treats specifically asked for by the special people in my life.
2) Other bloggers. There are a ton of really talented food bloggers out there, especially when it comes to baking and dessert. Since I can’t possibly read and comment on every single one (how I wish I had that many hours in a day!), I usually turn to Pinterest to scroll through photos of their recipes and use those as inspiration for techniques and flavor combinations.
3) Dining out. Because the towering mountain of dirty baking dishes in the sink easily becomes overwhelming and scares me off from cooking dinner too, we sometimes go out to eat, and I always peek at the breakfast and dessert menus at every restaurant! The best occasion is when I can convince my guy or some girlfriends to head over to a popular dessert-only place in town full of cakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, éclairs, and more. That is a baking blogger’s dream for inspiration!
4) Travel. Most summers, my family hops on an airplane and flies to a different part of the country—or world—on vacation. (Kauai and Paris are their two favorite destinations!) On top of that, my dad and I try to travel to a new city each summer to watch a baseball game and check another MLB stadium off of our list, and since Dad is one of the most adventurous eaters I know, that means we’re constantly trying new regional cuisines. Those fun flavors (and yes, the dessert options too) find a way of popping up in my blog recipes.
The new HP x360 laptop makes it really easy to sort through all of those different inspiration sources. With its four positions of laptop, stand, tend, and tablet, I can quickly switch from writing emails to my family about our vacation plans in laptop mode, to browsing Pinterest in tablet mode, and showing off images of restaurant menus in stand mode. (And now I wish every laptop came with a touch screen like this one!)
Today’s recipe for this Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie actually came from my sweetest inspiration source: my younger brother. For a few summers in middle and high school, he mixed up a smoothie nearly every day—always with fruit, sometimes with milk, other times with yogurt—and they always turned out delicious.
Just like my brother’s, this smoothie is incredibly simple to make. You just need 5 ingredients, including the ice! I started with two of my favorite fruits, blueberries and bananas. (Although who am I kidding… I love all fruit!) Both should be frozen. Frozen bananas add an irresistible creaminess to smoothies, so slice up a ripe speckled one on your counter and pop it in the freezer for at least an hour before making your smoothie.
The big protein boost comes from Greek yogurt. Because I bake with it all the time in muffins, cupcakes, and more, I buy a big carton of the plain, nonfat variety and scoop out however much I need. Just like the banana, it adds creaminess too!
Add all of that to a blender, plus milk and ice, and pulse until it’s smooth. Because I prefer my smoothies really thick, I add lots of ice, but if you like thinner smoothies with a consistency closer to juice, adjust the amount to suit your taste.
A full serving of fruit and a big protein boost? Now that’s my kind of way to start the morning! Thanks for the inspiration, bud! ♥
Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie | | Print |
- ½ c (70g) frozen unsweetened blueberries
- ½ medium (70g) banana, sliced and frozen
- ¾ c (180g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ¾ c (180mL) unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2 c (260g) ice cubes
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender in the order listed, and pulse until smooth. Serve immediately.
As written, the smoothie is very thick; adjust the amount of ice to suit your preferences.
{gluten-free, clean eating, low fat, low calorie, high protein}
HP is partnering with Meghan Trainor to help document her first-ever musical tour, “That Bass.” Along the way, they’re sharing behind-the-scenes footage in exclusive episodes, and you can see it all on their “All About That Tour” page!
This post was sponsored by HP and Collectively, Inc. As always, all opinions, text, images, and recipe are my own.
Blueberries remind me of summer! Oh how I wish it were summer…or at least 50 degrees. A girl can dream. This smoothie is the perfect thing to get me going. I know I’ll love it. Thank you for sharing it!
Thanks Erin! I’m sending lots of warm thoughts your way. It’s supposed to be around 70° here where I live — thank goodness! I’m ready for spring! 🙂
I just made it. I thought that i could have used a regular almond milk instead of unsweetened. But this smoothie is delicious! I didn’t use ice but the next time I will.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this smoothie Fabiane! 🙂
I’ve been guzzling orange/banana smoothies the last few days to combat a mini bug that has invaded my system!! I blame the fact that I didn’t knock on wood after claiming to have been free of any sickness for over a year! That and my boss…I blame my boss. I love the many places for inspiration, it;s everywhere!
Awww feel better Brittany!! Being sick is NO fun, especially when it’s starting to feel like spring and you’re trying to get back into hiking. I’m sending as many healthy thoughts and vitamin C your way as I can!
I think I need to try adding yogurt to my smoothies – I usually prefer dairy free, but I know I need the protein, and this one looks delicious
Thanks Heather! I love sneaking in extra protein that way. Much better than eating chicken for breakfast every day! 😉
I love that you call your brother bud. We always called my brother that, and now I call Truman that sometimes. 🙂
Aww thanks Karen! I don’t know how it started but… It stuck. Truman is definitely “bud” material! 😉
1. this was VERY yummy
2. omg this was so thick – you were NOT kidding about that
3. it made WAY more than 1 serving IMO. i used a 24oz cup and still filled half a glass of another cup. i might have done something wrong lol
I’m so glad you enjoyed the smoothie Michelle! It is rather large, but thankfully it’s not a lot of calories! 🙂
I add a scoop of protein powder as well, I’m stuffed for six hours.
That sounds like a wonderful addition Stacy! I hope that means you enjoyed the smoothie! 🙂
i just tried this recipe and added some kale to it and u cant even tell! its delicious
I’m so glad you enjoyed this smoothie Amber! I love your idea of adding kale! 🙂