Let’s face it, cinnamon rolls are a hard thing to pass up in the morning.  They’re even harder to pass up in the mall when the smell of cinnamon and cream cheese frosting is tempting your nose regardless of whether or not you want it to.  Which reminds you that Cinnabon has the most ridiculous tasting, biggest, more-calories-than-you’re-supposed-to consume-all-day-in-one-sitting cinnamon rolls that money can buy.  In the winter when it’s snowing and I know I’m going to be sporting layers of long-johns and snow pants that’s one thing.  However, with the heat of the summer starting earlier in the day it’s hard to justify turning on a warm oven only to overindulge in something I’m going to regret when I have to put on my bathing suit in a couple hours to join my kids by the pool.  Because let’s be honest, I’m not going to make an entire batch of cinnamon rolls to only have one.  Hahaha

Anyway, I’ve been perusing the internet for various healthy smoothies that aren’t necessarily “green.”  Our family go-to smoothie is always “green” made with fruit, apple juice, and spinach.  Like everything else though, it can get old to everyone except Matthew who is skeptical to try any smoothie that isn’t green.  This was a welcome change to our typical morning smoothie.  It has the perfect sweetness without having to add any extra sugar.  I saw a version of this smoothie on the Paleo Cupboard website which made me super happy to know I’m making healthy choices for my kids (hey, it happens every once in a while) but I changed it by adding a few things.  I know next to nothing about the Paleo craze going on right now so I have no idea if the changes I made make this recipe non-Paleo or not.  Either way, it’s good!  Now, will this smoothie take the place of having a Cinnabon for breakfast?  No.  Will it satisfy your craving for a cinnamon roll?  Maybe.  While I would never want to drink my cinnamon roll from a straw, if you had to this might be what it would taste like.  Except way better for you!  Enjoy guilt free slurping!  (Even poolside.)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla soy milk (or almond milk)
• 1 large banana, peeled and chopped
• 1 small red apple, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
•  3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• a handful of walnuts
• 1 cup crushed ice

Makes 2 servings

Recipe by Life’s Sweet Seasons