This morning shake is my go-to breakfast that I prepare for myself and my husband in less than 5 minutes. I’ve found it to be perfect for my low-budget healthy diet plan. Here’s how you make it:

First you add about a ½ cup of frozen fruit. I usually use blueberries since they taste great and are cheapest by the pound where I live but you can pick any fruit or blend you like.

Next you add 1 cup of almond milk. You can swap this for any milk/milk alternative but almond milk is again the cheapest and has the lowest calorie count out of the milk options.

Next you add your scoop of protein powder. Since I am trying to lose weight and focus on protein consumption I went with this vegan chocolate protein powder. Everyone has different goals though, so I suggest you research and pick what would be best for your diet and goals. For instance my husband is focusing on weight gain, so I put mass gainer in his shake.

Then you add about a ½ cup of spinach. I like to freeze a bunch for easy preservation and storage.

Lastly you add water to the fill line so the shake isn’t too thick then blend.

This is the most bare-bones version of the shake I make. Some other foods I like to add are:

• a banana – personally I prefer to save the banana for it’s own snack, but it’s a great addition to the shake
• oatmeal – you can use either a ⅓ cup of oats or a pack of instant oatmeal for some nice flavor (just be sure to blend well!)
• olive oil – it may sound odd, but adding a tablespoon or so of olive oil is perfect for those looking to add more fat to their diet or to gain weight
• peanut butter – a great flavor boost that’s high in fat
• fruit juice – instead of topping with water you can use fruit juice, just be aware of how sugary it can be
• honey – if you need more sweetness honey is a great natural option for it’s nutrients and antioxidants
• coffee – for coffee lovers adding about a cup or an espresso shot makes for a nice all-in-one morning drink

I hope that you enjoyed this recipe. Please follow for more wellness tips if you’d like to see more!