Protein Rich Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Smoothie

Sometimes you just want something simple to start the week — nothing complicated, nothing over-the-top. This strawberry banana cheesecake protein smoothie is exactly that. Fresh fruit, real ingredients, and enough natural protein to keep it feeling a little more substantial.

I’ve made a lot of smoothies, but this one always feels like a reset. It’s clean, it’s fresh, and it skips the powders without missing anything. The strawberries and bananas do all the heavy lifting, and it’s ready in just a few minutes.

If you’re looking for a smoothie that doesn’t taste like it came out of a health food store, this is it. Just real fruit, a little natural protein, and a creamy finish that feels like a treat — not a chore. Perfect for breakfast or an easy afternoon break.

This recipe calls for full fat 4 percent cottage cheese and I hope you use it.

Remember, full fat dairy is an extremely satiating nutrient. It fills you up, and slows down the release of sugars into your bloodstream, which in turn helps prevent you from overeating.

Also, full-fat dairy tends to contain less sugar than it’s low-fat counterparts. Why?

When food manufacturers remove fat from foods (like dairy fat from ice cream), they add in extra sugar to keep you hooked.

Another reason I only buy whole milk around here. And let’s not forget how good full-fat anything tastes. It’s a win-win!

There are so many awesome smoothies you can make. In fact, try a new one every week for variety. One of my favorites is this Cranberry-Vanilla-Cinnamon Smoothie. It tastes just like Christmas.

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I know there are still some of you out there who doubt the whole “chocolate-avocado” amazingness. I’m not sure what it will take to convince you that chocolate and avocado are like peanut butter and jelly or yin and yang or any other two things that go together perfectly.

If you have it in you to make my Chocolate-Banana-Avocado Bread, you will finally understand the madness. It’s quite possibly the most delicious dessert you could possibly stuff in your face. You’ll need to try it for yourself to understand.

I have been know to put avocado in other smoothies as well. A couple of my favorites are this Chocolate-Avocado-Almond Butter Smoothie and a Minty Chocolate Avocado version I love, love, love.

This Chocolate Avocado Green Smoothie was given the thumbs up by my family. It is rich and delicious and tastes just like an ice cream milkshake. No one, unless you tell them, will have any idea there is spinach or avocado as part of the base. I give you permission to be sneaky if you need to get your family to at least try it.

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The first battle is learning how to pronounce “Açaí” correctly….ah-sah-EE. Now that your phonetic struggle is over, it’s time to sit down and enjoy a spoonable smoothie right in the comfort of your own home. Think weekend and pajamas and all this yummy fruit.

Related: Mermaid Smoothie Bowl

Some of you have likely been eating smoothie bowls for over a year now. They are so trendy. However, for others, this might be your first introduction to these bowls of deliciousness with endless choices of customizable toppings. Just remember, smoothie bowls are thicker than regular smoothies, are served in a bowl (obviously), which makes them spoon-ready and ready to eat. Just add your favorite healthy toppings. That’s really all you need to know.

This particular recipe is not only topped with my favorite fruits, chia seeds and cacoa nibs, but is blended with nutrient rich açaí powder, a great source of vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium and other essential trace minerals. And it makes your smoothie bowl taste amazing. Don’t leave it out!!

I had my first Açaí Smoothie Bowl last summer in Hawaii . I knew I was hooked. Let’s not mention how refreshing a smoothie bowl was to enjoy after a hike of Diamond Head in some pretty warm temperatures.

Since smoothie bowls are made with frozen fruit and not a lot of liquid (which keeps them thick), I would make sure your strawberries and bananas are sliced so it’s easier for your blender to chop them up. A high powered blender is also advised.

The topping choices are endless, which is one of the reasons these bowls are so versatile. You can use whatever fresh or frozen fruit you have. Topping with granola adds a nice texture to the final meal. They are so good and I can’t wait for you to try one.

These are so much better than sipping smoothies through a straw, trust me on that one.

There are so many great recipes out there for smoothie bowls. This Banana Chocolate Chunk Smoothie Bowl definitely has my attention. And who would not love a bite of this vacation-worthy Tropical Smoothie Bowl? I know my holidays are going to include this Pumpkin Cinnamon Crunch Smoothie Bowl as often as possible.

Five years ago I posted this recipe for Spicy Apricot Ginger Lime Chicken and we’re still loving it. Six years ago these Potted Chocolate Mint Puddings came to life and they are perfect for Spring. If you are looking for the perfect side dish, I made this Soft Polenta with Mascarpone seven years ago and it is still amazing with everything. And eight years ago these Sticky Peanut Butter and Jelly Wings made their debut.

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Raise your hand if you don’t automatically put together chocolate and avocado as the perfect pairing combination. Keep them raised if you’ve never experienced them together in a beverage or a baked good. Don’t worry if you haven’t, it’s not necessarily an intuitive pairing. However, once you realize how well avocado adds creaminess to absolutely everything, especially a smoothie, you might not make another one without it. It’s that good.

We all know the health benefits of avocados and how amazing they are for us. It only makes sense to add them to our smoothies as often as possible. This is especially true if chocolate is going to be part of the mix. This particular combination of flavors is one I love to serve for breakfast or lunch. It’s hearty, slightly sweet and will get you through the whole morning or afternoon.

I discovered by accident the whole perfect pairing of chocolate, avocado and almond butter. I really thought the almond butter would have too strong of a taste, but honestly it’s so, so perfect.

People often ask if you notice the avocado in a recipe like this and the answer is no. It does not taste like avocado. What you get is a perfectly smooth beverage with mouthfeel that accentuates the other flavors. In other words, it will be the creamiest and smoothest chocolate smoothie you will ever experience. You’re going to have to trust me on that one!

Don’t miss out on making this delicious beverage.

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Peanut butter powder is about 23 calories per tablespoon and has an intense peanut butter flavor. It’s made by squeezing natural oils out of the peanut and then dehydrating what’s left, yielding a powder in which 90% of the fat is removed from the peanut.

Please note this is not an organic product and has a little added sugar. It’s not going to satiate you as peanut butter would. It’s there to enjoy a peanut butter craving when you simply can’t afford the calories. A good treat for anyone on a weight loss journey. And it’s delicious.

I’ve added two tablespoons to my vanilla Greek yogurt with some mini chocolate chips. I’ve mixed it into ice cream, milk and stir frys. It lets me enjoy the peanut butter taste, without always increasing my calorie and fat intake. Can it replace peanut butter on toast or bagels? No! But it really helps satisfy the cravings for a needed treat.

I get mine from Amazon, I’m not sure where else it is available.

Enjoy it!

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We are having amazing weather in Oregon…it has been 90 degrees and will continue to get even a little hotter!

I know some of you will say that is not amazing weather, however, it’s not humid and since it rains most of the year, I’ll take it. It just feels good and I truly appreciate every sunny day I get around here.

I love taking my early morning walks on these summer mornings, most of the year I walk in rain and mud so it has been wonderful.

And when I return home, breakfast several times a week consists of a smoothie.

A peach smoothie is the perfect cold treat after a 5 mile jaunt around our beautiful neighborhood. I still have sweet, peaches I froze last year during peach season, but you can use store-bought frozen peaches too. Just make sure they are frozen and you may need to add a little more agave if they are not sweet enough.

I love adding oatmeal to my smoothie and raw quick-cooking oats are a great addition to your morning healthy drinks. They work great as a thickener and offer a nice, complex flavor.

I would suggest adding oatmeal to all of your smoothies.

Always serve your smoothie in a pretty glass, it feels indulgent. We all need that.

Let me know how you like this version, I have a feeling you will love the flavors.

Let’s face it, cinnamon and peach are the perfect combo.

MORE PEACH RECIPES

From crumbles to ice cream, peaches add a vibrant twist to any recipe.

• Grilled pound cake, warm peach coulis with a Chantilly cream sauce is easier to make than it sounds.
• A classic dessert turned cocktail, this raspberry and fuzzy peach melba will rock your summertime bar.
• Take advantage of the season’s sweetest and ripest fruit with this coconut peach crisp.
• Fresh peach ice cream made with warming cinnamon is truly the best.
• Peach margaritas are ready for your next fiesta.
• These juicy grilled pork chops with spicy peach glaze come together quickly.
• Take advantage of peach season with this quick and simple dinner of peach chutney pork chops you’re going to love.
• A peach dump cake you’re going to love.
•  Gluten free peach crisp that tastes amazing.

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In my opinion, the trick to a smoothie is to make it taste good, almost dessert-like, be filling (since you are using it as a meal) and have some type of health benefit. If you’ve tackled those three hurdles, you’re doing good.

There are all kinds of healthy products we can use to boost our smoothies. I like chia seeds and high lignan flaxseed concentrate (it’s bursting with Omega-3 Fatty Acids). What you would like to use is up to you. But even supplements like these have calories. You have to be prudent when adding things, if you are watching your daily calorie intake.

I also use a small amount of xanthan gum in my smoothies. It thickens them to the perfect consistency every time. Xantham gum is really nice to have in the kitchen when you need to fix a watery dish. It’s great in soups and salad dressings too. I highly suggest having some around. It doesn’t have to be heated to work and is more heat stable than cornstarch.

Costco (Kirkland Brand) sells frozen pineapple chunks which work perfectly and you have it all year round.

At only 261 calories, this is something you can enjoy every day. It’s a big serving!

• One Year Ago: Buffalo Hot Dogs
• Four Years Ago: Spaghetti with Bacon & Eggs

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Even though it’s cold out, I still crave a smoothie a couple of times a week. This time of year I use all the frozen fruit I stashed away all summer. There is nothing like a perfect strawberry smoothie in the middle of November.

However, as I was reaching for the strawberries the other day, I noticed a pack of cranberries I had in the freezer. My biggest aversion to using the cranberry in a smoothie was the tart factor. I knew it would take some sugar to make it palatable, but I was craving a “holiday” taste, something with cinnamon. I figured I’d try it.

Wow. This is my new winter flavor. It tastes like Christmas morning, if Christmas can taste like something. It does have a slightly tart edge but it’s okay, it’s vibrant and refreshing and I will be making it again and again.

And who doesn’t love a no-drip spout?

Lucky for you all, I am going to be giving away a pair of these blenders so you can try them out too. Check back soon!

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“What?”

“Could you make me a smoothie? But I don’t want it to taste all powdery and pasty with all that health stuff you put in it?”

“Oh…okay, thanks for letting me know.”

So, I do admit when I make a smoothie for myself I often add protein powder and flax powder and other “healthy” ingredients. I’ve been trying to pass those off on my boys too. I figured why not up the protein level of their snacks. They will be more full and will stop eating the other “not-so-healthy” snacks I bought them. Makes sense right? I knew you would agree.

Anyway, their taste buds are soooooo sensitive they can pick out almost anything, especially flax and vanilla protein powder…apparently. However, they CANNOT pick out the quinoa, or chia seeds or wheat germ I’ve added. They have no idea it’s even there.

So basically I have been beefing up their smoothies with a few undetected health items. Is that so bad? Oh, I’ll tell them about it one day, but for now they are drinking quinoa and they are loving it.

The reason I love this whole grain is that it is high in protein. It contains all nine essential amino acids…making it a “complete protein”.

Did you know chia seeds are the richest plant source available for Omega-3’s. In fact, they contain more Omega-3 than salmon, a true superfood. I also add wheat germ for B vitamins and more fiber. It seems this healthy trifecta doesn’t make the smoothie taste “healthy”, even though it is. It’s the perfect after-school snack and fills the kids up until dinner is on the table. Much better than sodas or cookies.

Just try it! And here are the cute lids for the jars.

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I have a crazy week and month ahead, with so many things going on, but smoothies will remain my constant. I used frozen dark sweet cherries for this version, but if you have fresh, just pit them and freeze. In the morning throw the frozen cherries in the blender.

These really reminded me of the cherry milkshakes enjoyed as kids. We would go cherry picking for hours and hours and then settle in with a vanilla ice cream-cherry-topped with whipped cream shake. Doesn’t that sound delicious? I wish calories did not count.

Enjoy a sweet sip!

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