strawberry shortcake smoothie {healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free}

Ok, confession time. I am the biggest, fattest emotional eater there ever was and is yet to come on this entire universe. When my friends left for the states a few weeks ago, I immediately turned to food. I mean, I made these healthy brownies and ate like a million {give err take… ya know.} but at least I satisfied my… issues with something somewhat nutritious. 

Needless to say, the last few weeks haven't been good food-wise. I'm starting to see my old habits of binging and snacking throughout the whole day sneaking back in. 

And it's honestly really making me depressed. I mean, not depressed depressed. But it is effecting my emotions and the way I view myself and I hate it. 

I'm reminding myself of how when I started my dairy, sugar, and gluten-free diet awhile back, my skin cleared up and I felt so much better about myself. Since stepping off the track, I feel like I'm back to where I started a few months ago. 

Now that I've eaten my fair share of cookies and other assorted carbs, I've decided to kick it up again and in full gear. 

I am super determined. And with determination, I can get there.

To get back to where I was and back into those healthy habits I'd worked so hard to gain, but not get so mad and guilt myself if I over do it at dinner or eat a little too much chocolate. {Dark chocolate isn't that healthy when you eat half the bar. Take note.}

You've heard it before and you'll hear it again… Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 

If you skip breakfast, you're more likely to shove your face hole with all the things when hunger strikes later. 

If you eat a nutritionally unbalanced breakfast, you're energy level will crash and you'll be hungry in two hours flat. 

On the other hand, if you eat a GOOD breakfast, full of good things {protein, whole grains, fiber, fruits, etc.}, it'll fuel your body for the day and keep your full until lunch. 

As you can probably tell, I have quite the sweet tooth. I prefer to have sweet breakfasts {but still healthy!} like smoothies or overnight oats because they keep my sweet tooth and snacking at bay for the rest of the day. 

This smoothie? It tastes like cake. Like legit. 

I'm not just telling you this so a boring strawberry smoothie will get a million pins and bring in more traffic to my blog. {wouldn't that be nice?}

Nope, this is real life guys. 

Somehow adding oats, almonds, a bit of vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon switch up a basic smoothie and turn it into something FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! 

Cake + Smoothie + Healthy = MINDBLOOOOOWN

strawberry shortcake smoothie {healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free}

1 large banana
3/4 c. frozen strawberries
1/2 c. soy milk {or any other kind of milk}
3 tbsp. almonds
1/4 c. oats {use gluten-free for a GF option}
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tbsp. organic maple syrup
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. ice cubes

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Add more milk or ice as needed. Pour into one large glass or two smaller glasses. Enjoy!