One of the most popular breakfast foods today is a smoothie. When you think of smoothies, you might think of the frozen fruit section at the grocery store, but smoothies can be so much more than frozen fruit and milk! You can use an array of fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables, as well as spices, to mix up your average breakfast smoothie. 

When brainstorming new ingredients to add to your morning smoothie, let the season influence you. For example, in the fall and winter months, think of cinnamon, apples, nutmeg, pumpkin, cardamom, ginger, cranberries, and kale. There are so many different foods you can rotate into your daily smoothie to keep things fresh and exciting.

In this healthy holiday smoothie recipe, we’re highlighting a winter holiday favorite—peppermint!

Peppermint isn’t only for candy canes and freshening breath. It also has an array of health benefits. Peppermint is said to ease digestive issues like bloating, indigestion, and gas, relieve sinus congestion, and alleviate pain caused by headaches and migraines.

Because peppermint is caffeine-free and known as a muscle relaxant, it’s also said to improve sleep if ingested before bedtime. If you want to put this theory to the test, try drinking herbal peppermint tea a few hours before bed. 

While peppermint can be used in a variety of ways, we recommend incorporating it into your next smoothie. The best part of this recipe? The taste and aroma of peppermint are sure to put you in the holiday spirit!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (or nut milk of choice)
  
• 3/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt 
  
• 1/2 frozen banana 
  
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
  
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract 
  
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds 

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until combined.
   

For this healthy holiday smoothie recipe, keep in mind that you can substitute the almond milk and peanut butter with a nut milk and nut butter of your choice! Although, we do recommend opting for unsweetened milk and no-sugar-added nut butter. If you’re not sure what to include in your smoothie, refer to your GenoPalate analysis optimal foods list to find out what foods are most recommended for you based on your DNA.

Want more healthy recipes like this and to get personalized nutrition recommendations? Learn about our DNA-based personalized nutrition analysis and online nutrition programs to find out which is best for you, your lifestyle, and your health goals.