When I need a quick and refreshing snack, I make the following peanut butter smoothie and it hits the spot.

This smoothie is so yummy, you may start to crave it when you want something a little sweet but also packed with nutrition and healthy stuff.

Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein. The fat in peanut butter is monosaturated fat, which can help reduce the bad cholesterol in the body as well as lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

A few other benefits of peanut butter (of which there are many):

>> packed with antioxidants

>> rich in dietary fiber

>> contains vitamin E, magnesium, B3, B6, and folate

>> aids in relieving constipation (a healthy colon means a healthy life)

What you’ll need:

Ice
Banana
Peanut butter of your choice (I use the Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods 365 brand.)
Non-dairy milk (It’s best to use almond milk because it has a thinner consistency, but if you can’t have nuts, soy, or non-sweetened oat milk works, too.)
Cinnamon
Cacao nibs
A dash of sliced almonds (take these out if you cannot have nuts)

What to do:

1. Fill your blender or mixer halfway with ice.

2. Break the banana in half and toss it in.

3. Take a nice big spoonful of peanut butter and watch it drizzle down—yummy!

4. Add in non-dairy milk—I do it just below where the ice line is, but obviously, you know your blender, so use your intuition. You may need to add more or less depending on how thick or thin you like your smoothies.

5. Give a few shakes of cinnamon—sprinkle with abandon and use your judgment on how much you want to add.

6. Toss in one tsp of cacao nibs.

7. Throw in a small handful of sliced almonds (or whole if that is all you have).

8. Blend away until you get to a consistency that you brings you joy. Add more peanut butter or milk or cinnamon depending on your taste.

And one more thing: cinnamon helps reduce inflammation in the body, so that is a bonus!

Enjoy!

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