Smoothie of The Day: Gena Hamshaw’s Immune Boosting Blend

|Updated May 26, 2020

Gena Hamshaw is a cookbook author and the creator of the popular lifestyle blog, The Full Helping, where she shares healthy plant-based recipes and offers nutrition counseling and daily inspiration for living a plant-based lifestyle. In addition to being a well-known blogger, Gena is also a registered dietitian with nearly 10 years of experience. Her philosophy is to embrace all "plant leaning" readers who hope to eat healthier: "I believe that when we satisfy our appetites, the fullness of our lives expands. This blog is my tribute to that process," she writes on The Full Helping.

The Beet first found Gena on Instagram from her bright and beautiful photography of colorful, nourishing plant-based meals. Gena kindly shared her favorite smoothie with us that she "whips up" in the morning and calls it the Monkey Smoothie.

It's full of healthy ingredients and is high in vegan protein. In it are a healthy dose of good-for-you nutrients: Blueberries are a good way to boost your immune system since they are full of Vitamin C and high in antioxidants. Peanut butter is a good source of vegan protein and has 8 grams per 2 tablespoons. This smoothie tastes delicious and has a creamy texture, kind of like a milkshake. Top it with a drizzle of peanut butter and you will crave this every morning!

Monkey Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 2 large frozen bananas
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 1/2 cups non-dairy milk
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1 pitted date (optional)
  • A handful of ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender till smooth. Divide into 2 glasses and serve. Then mix in a little extra peanut butter on the top to give it a marble effect.