These breakfast recipes from Candice Kumai will keep you powered up all week

Chef and cookbook author Candice Kumai shares five healthy smoothie recipes that are packed with protein and only take 2 minutes to make.

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Photo: Stocksy / Tatjana Zlatkovic

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This January, as part of Well+Good’s (Re)New Year, famed classically trained, plant-based chef Candice Kumai is providing five weeks of healthy recipes to help not only transform your eating habits, but set you up for year-long success. Last week, she curated a slate of recipes specifically to clean your gut. This week, it’s all about power and energy—AKA meals that are as packed with protein as they are flavor. 

Chances are, you already know that getting some protein early is essential for powering through your morning. As tasty as a dense carb-based breakfast may sound, you can bet on an unwelcome crash a few hours into your workday—you haven’t even gotten through your emails and you want to rest your head on the keyboard. So what should you fuel up on instead? Candice Kumai has you covered with a week’s worth of recipes.

All smoothies that can be made in about two minutes—hey, you don’t need to tell her that mornings are rushed—each recipe is full of protein, a serving of fruits or veggies, and, in some cases, next-level ingredients like bee pollen (to help boost immunity) and spirulina (loaded with protein and iron).

You know those days when you start thinking about lunch at 11 a.m.? That’s not happening anymore.

Keep reading for winning breakfast recipes that will keep you energized all morning long.

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Monday: Green vanilla almond smoothie

Serves 2

Ingredients1 cup unsweetened coconut water2 cups baby spinach1 frozen banana2 Tbsp unsweetened almond butter2 tsp organic vanilla extract4 Tbsp (1 scoop) protein powder1 cup ice

1. Add ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

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Tuesday: Blueberry protein power shake

Serves 2

Ingredients
2 cups unsweetened almond milk1 frozen banana2 cups frozen blueberries4 Tbsp (1 scoop) protein powder1 cup ice

1. Add ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

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Wednesday: Mango mood-boosting smoothie

Serves 2

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Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened almond milk1 1/4 cups baby spinach1 cup frozen mango1 frozen banana1 tsp bee pollen (optional)1 tsp spirulina4 Tbsp (1 scoop) vegan protein powder

1. Add ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

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Thursday: Green banana-almond smoothie

Serves 2

Ingredients
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk1/2 cup baby spinach3/4 cup frozen bananas1 Tbsp almond butter4 Tbsp (1 scoop) protein powder1 cup ice

1. Add ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

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Friday: Chocolate peanut butter shake

Serves 2

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Ingredients
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 1/2 cups baby spinach
3/4 cup frozen banana
1/4 
Bartlett pear, cored
1 1/2 Tbsp natural peanut butter
1 1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup ice

1. Add ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

You’re two weeks into (Re)New Year! Here’s how to keep that grove going year-round

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