Picture this: it’s 7 AM, you have overslept, rushing around to get the kids ready for school and feed them before they go. What are you going to eat that’s quick enough and easy enough to do alongside the mom hustle? This protein packed chocolate black bean smoothie is the perfect power breakfast you can do in under 5 minutes

It is packed with everything you need to get through your day, whatever that may entail. It is full of great carbs, protein, magnesium, antioxidants and fiber. I have a great list of recommended ingredients that add even more power to this morning boosting smoothie.

MY FAVORITE INGREDIENTS

I always start out with the Califia Farms Organic Unsweetened Almond Milk. It is vegan, non-GMO, sugar free, and a great source of fats and has more calcium than milk. I use this almond milk all day, everyday, and always have a stockpile in my fridge.

Next I add my Terrasoul Superfood Pitted Dates. These medjool dates have a hint of caramel that gives the smoothie a delicious natural sweet taste; they’re also featured in the vegan chocolate energy ball recipe for that same great sweet flavor — helps to cover up that black bean taste, too!

Continue adding in the bananas and avocados, either frozen or fresh. I like to keep a bag of peeled bananas in my freezer for smoothies because they add a great texture to the smoothie, and, also, last much longer than fresh ones.

Once you have added those ingredients to the blender, pour in a half cup of organic black beans. Try the Jack’s Quality Organic Black Beans, 100% sustainably packaged with fair trade sourced black beans. It feels good to buy products that do good for others and our planet. The black beans are the soul of this recipe and deliver a hefty punch of health fiber and carbs.

Afterwards, add in your cacao powder. If you’re looking for a powder that is packed with antioxidants and magnesium, like more than 3 cups of broccoli worth, you have to get this Cacao Magic by Philosiphie. It’s the best vegan, sugar-free cacao powder I have found that is also full of protein and gives me sustained energy throughout the day. It has 8 organic superfood ingredients to get the most nutrients in just one tablespoon.

Lastly, I add in the almond butter. Usually, for smoothies, I try to find an almond butter with a natural sweetener. I found the Georgia Grinders Maple and Caramel Almond Butter (featured in the energy ball recipe, as well) and I use it in all kinds of recipes now. It’s an incredible, organic almond butter that adds just the right amount of sweet without all the refined sugar.

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Additional Instructions

After blending ingredients, feel free to add more ice or almond milk to get the right consistency. I prefer my smoothies thicker so that it doesn’t melt as quickly while I am running around doing other things. The texture is completely up to you and your preferences, though.

Feel free to store the rest in the fridge for lunch or share with your partner, or kids! And always feel free to make your own substitutions if you don’t like something — the beauty of cooking is the creative freedom it gives you.

So, whip up this protein packed chocolate black bean smoothie for a great start to your morning. Check out the full nutrition label below!