This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Nestle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BreakfastEssentials
I have a mom confession to make. I don’t “do” big breakfasts. Sure, I like them, but only if someone else is cooking them for me. The kids have inherited by breakfast aversion. If it is not something light they can eat on the go, they don’t want it. My parenting secret? Smoothies. They’re quick to make, portable so the kids can drink them while running out the door, and sneaky. Sneaky? you say. Definitely! When the kids were younger they thought they were having a shake, which would have been a forbidden breakfast treat. My big secret is I can hide fruits and veggies in their smoothies and they don’t notice. Excuse me while I stop and give myself a pat on the back. Lately, especially after a recent trip to the doctor, I have been wanting to up our calcium, vitamin and mineral intake. The easiest way I have found to do this is with a protein shake. The problem? The kids complain most protein shakes taste “like chalk.” It really doesn’t do me any good to up their vitamins and minerals if they won’t drink the smoothies. Then, one night while shopping at Walmart, I remembered Carnation Breakfast Essentials. I used to drink them as a kid and loved them. Why hadn’t I thought of that before?
Although Carnation Breakfast Essentials come in several flavors, including Rich Milk Chocolate, Classic French Vanilla, Classic Chocolate Malt, Dark Chocolate, Strawberry Sensation, and the Variety Pack (which has multiple flavors), I didn’t want to serve it to them “plain.” I wanted to jazz it up a little bit and make it into a smoothie. That way they would think I had fussed and possibly want to clean their rooms to reward me for the time I spent in the kitchen making them smoothies. I am a fan of chocolate and peanut butter and made this decadent, rich smoothie. Here’s the recipe so you can invite your kids to join the “clean smoothie glass club.” I’ve managed to sneak in a banana without the kids noticing, although my son asked me suspiciously, “Why is there a banana in our freezer?” Score one for me.
- 1 package Carnation Breakfast Essentials (I used Rich Milk Chocolate)
- 1 large banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
- 2/3 cup (5 oz) Greek Yogurt
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) skim milk (can substitute your favorite milk or non dairy product)
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
- optional: chocolate syrup
- Place the sliced banana in a food processor and blend until creamy. Add the package of Carnation Breakfast Essentials and the peanut butter, blend until smooth. Add the yogurt and milk, blend until frothy and well mixed.
The kids don’t know each serving has 21 vitamins & minerals, 13g of protein and as much calcium as a 6 oz cup of yogurt. It’s nutritious for anyone and easy enough the kids could fix it for themselves if they didn’t try to guilt me into fixing it for them by declaring, “But it tastes better when you make it, because it is made with love.” I am not sure who the sneaky ones are in our family–me or them.
I like everything in this but don’t do Carnation Instant or Hershey’s syrup. Corn syrup isn’t allowed in my house!
I tried making a peanut butter smoothie on my own, just winging it, bad idea! It was horrible. This looks really good. I will give it a try.
This smoothie looks like a keeper! I think it would be perfect to feed the kids on a busy morning! I love the idea to sneaking veggies on in!
This sounds like a drink that my kids would really enjoy. I am going to have to try to make it.
That’s a great idea for on the go! I do green juices and green smoothies
Yum! That looks delicious and I love peanut butter recipes!
Looks yummy, and easy enough for me, a fellow breakfast-aversion-er. I don’t have the sneaky banana issue at least – my kid loves ’em!
Yum! I could make this with my powdered peanutbutter 😀
My kids love PB and chocolate smoothies too! They are our go-to breakfasts when we’re running out in the morning for a sporting event of some sort. Love this recipe, will have to give it a try soon. 🙂
This sounds really good! We need quick breakfast ideas!
I love breakfast, but my daughter does not. I will have to try these on her!
I love pairing chocolate with peanut butter but have never tried my fave flavors in a smoothie. This sounds yum!
This looks so delicious and tasty. Something like this would hit the spot in the morning especially when I don’t’ have time for a full meal.
We love Carnation Instant Breakfast it is the only way to get one of my kids any protein in the morning, he is such a picky eater.
Chocolate, Banana AND Peanut Butter in the same smoothie? SIGN ME UP!
Two of my favorite flavors come together in a shake – love it. We do shakes daily so I will have to give these a try.
This Looks So Yummy For y Tummy Got To Make!!
Your an awesome mom. Clever and nutritious! I too am not a huge breakfast fan but this is on my list for those times when I just want nutrition that is is delicious. Thank you for the coupon too 🙂
I absolutely adore Chocolate peanut butter shakes! Always add in a banana it just takes so amazing.
This sounds so easy to make. And for me easy is important on school days.
This looks like a great summer recipe. I like how easy it looks to make!
This sounds delicious, my kids so would enjoy this for breakfast or a snack!
You had me a chocolate and peanut butter.
This looks amazing!!! I think chocolate and peanut butter are made for each other.
I usually need some motivation to eat breakfast and I think this would help a ton!
Starting the day with chocolate and peanut butter? That’s my kind of morning!
I love smoothies. This one sounds delicious!
Those are some of my Mom’s favorite things. I bet she’d love that!
Now this is my kind of breakfast!!! I’ll have to try these!
Wow, you’ve just combined my favorite ingredients! Will definitely have to try this!
My husband used to love Carnation Instant Breakfast! I am sure he’d love this recipe too!
Two great combos in one drink – yes please! YUM!
My kids would go crazy over this. I will have to attempt to make this for them peanut butter is one of their favorites.
I will give my husband and my kids a treat! I’ll make them some of this. They’re such a big fan of peanut butter!
Chocolate and peanut butter smoothie? I think I’ve fond a beautiful combination!
Oh my……………………….. Oh sorry was dream tasting that! Great combo.
Two dangerous combinations!
I love peanut butter and I love chocolate.
These are on my “must try” list now for sure!`
Good idea– smoothies are awesome to put some nutrition into your kids. (Husband, too…but shhhh!)
Yummy and those bottles are so cute. Made me think of old glass milk jugs.
That looks and sounds delicious. I love the cute barber shop stripe straw!
I’m a BIG fan of smoothies because you can definitely hide so many things in one without being caught! My favorites are my green smoothies with LOTS of spinach 🙂
That looks like such a yummy snack! You can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter.
Oh yum what a delicious sounding smoothie – creativity at its best 😉 xx
Oh, sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I don’t normally drink shakes but have been thinking about incorporating them for the same reason as you.
So delicious! I must try these!
Yum, this sounds so good. I love each one of those ingredients!!
Wow! This not only sounds but looks delicious too. My kids would devour this! Thanks for the must try recipe.
I wonder if smoothies would trick me into eating more breakfast too. I ought to try it. YUM!
These sound so good! My kids love anything with chocolate and bananas so we will be trying these!
Chocolate and peanut butter is my favorite combination in the entire world. I have to make these!!!