A healthy vegan recipe to kickstart wellness

Do you ever have moments when all you want is peanut butter in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other?
I’ve been there, especially during the early days of my wellness journey toward holistic health. The thought of parting ways with my sweet indulgences was daunting. But I’ve found it’s not that hard to satisfy those cravings in a way that actually benefits our body.
Today, I want to share a delicious and easy vegan chocolate peanut butter smoothie that serves as an excellent starting point — and it’s as good for your body as it is for your cravings.
Jump to:
Cravings and temptations
Sweet cravings can easily throw us off track and create obstacles in our goals.
But once you’ve made the decision to start incorporating healthier, plant-based foods into your diet, you’ll find they naturally begin to crowd out the not-so-great choices.
The first few weeks may require extra focus and intention, but as you progress, it becomes easier. Before you know it, you’re not just tolerating healthier foods — you’re actually craving them.
Remember, change is not all or nothing. Taking that first step may feel daunting, but it’s often the most rewarding.
And that’s the beauty of change — it’s a journey, not a race.
Strategies to start a healthier lifestyle
So how do you transition from sugary treats to healthier options? Here are some strategies to start with.
- Gradual changes: Start by having indulgent treats less frequently.
- Healthy alternatives: Substitute your favorites with healthier versions.
- Mindful indulgences: Eat mindfully, and avoid multitasking during meals.
- Celebrate small wins: Keep track of your progress.
Health perks
While this smoothie is a delicious treat, it also offers health benefits:
- Nutrient-rich: Bananas offer potassium, fiber, and vitamins.
- Cardiovascular Benefits: Cocoa improves artery function
- Heart-Healthy Fats: Peanut butter offers healthy fats that are good for your heart.
- Plant-Based Protein: Flaxseeds and nut butter add protein for muscle repair and growth.
- Anti-Inflammatory: Cinnamon can help lower your risk of disease.
In the kitchen tips
- To save time, peel and slice extra ripe bananas and store them in a freezer bag. This way, you always have frozen bananas when that smoothie craving strikes.
- Make sure your bananas are frozen and ripe. You can always add a cup or two of ice, but frozen bananas make it extra creamy.
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less maple syrup or Medjool dates.
- Get creative with toppings. Top with bananas, strawberries, or cherries. Or try adding a sprinkle of shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of almond butter.
- If you have any smoothie left over, pour into popsicle molds and freeze for later.
- Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder — perfect for workout recovery.
FAQ
Absolutely, whichever plant-based milk you prefer.
Definitely, experiment with different nut butter like almond or cashew butter. Or, if you have a nut allergy, try sunflower butter.
📖 Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
Ingredients
- 3 frozen ripe bananas
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, or almond butter
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 cup almond milk or soy milk
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cacao nibs, for topping, optional
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or 2 pitted Medjool dates, for added sweetness, optional
- Cinnamon, optional ½ teaspoon in your smoothie, or dust the top with a sprinkle.
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, add frozen bananas, cocoa, peanut butter, flaxseed, milk, and vanilla extract. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add maple syrup or pitted dates.
- Blend until creamy and smooth. You can adjust the thickness by adding more or less milk as desired.
- Taste. If you’d like more chocolate or peanut butter or more sweetness, adjust.
- Pour into two glasses. Top with cacao nibs and/or cinnamon if using.
- Enjoy!
Your wellness journey
Holistic wellness is so much more than counting calories or looking for quick fixes. It’s a meaningful commitment to nourishing your body and soul, one decision at a time.
Who says you can’t indulge while staying on track?
With treats like this Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie, you can easily satisfy your sweet cravings while giving your body the nutrients it needs. From the antioxidants to the anti-inflammatory benefits, this smoothie isn’t just a quick fix— it’s nourishment for your body and soul.
Whether you're just beginning to incorporate healthier choices or simply looking for an easy vegan smoothie recipe, I hope you’ll give this a try!
After all, taking care of yourself isn’t simply a diet change; it’s a lifestyle change for a happier, healthier you.
Taman says
My kids love this one! I even got them to do some chores with the promise of this smoothie once they were done 😋
Julie says
Love hearing this! Clever move using the smoothie as a chore incentive 😊. Thanks so much for sharing your win!