The Smoothie That Changed My Mornings (And the Appliances That Helped)

Let’s talk about kitchen appliances.

Yes, those gadgets sitting on your counter—or hiding in a cabinet—can either make your life easier... or drive you nuts. Today, I want to share how two small appliances completely changed my mornings. And no, I’m not paid to say any of this.

It Started With the Air Fryer

First, let’s be honest: nothing has brought more people back into the kitchen than the air fryer. It’s fast, easy, and makes food crispy without all the oil. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, the air fryer has become one of the most popular kitchen tools in America in the last few years.¹

This got me thinking—what other simple appliances could actually make healthy habits easier?

My Complicated Coffee Routine

For years, I had a fancy coffee routine. I ground my beans fresh. I did pour-overs. I used a timer and scale like I did chemistry. The coffee was great, but the process? Not so much.

Then one day, I tried Nespresso. Just pop in a capsule, push a button, and you get a strong, rich espresso with foam on top. It was so easy that I started enjoying my mornings again.

No, I’m not sponsored by Nespresso—I just like sharing what works.

The Smoothie Problem

Next, let’s talk about smoothies.

I have tons of smoothie recipes. I’ve written them, shared them, and even made videos about them. But honestly? I stopped making them for a long time.

Why? Because of one thing: my Vitamix blender.

Now, don’t get me wrong. It’s a powerful machine. It can crush anything. But it’s big. It’s loud. It has too many parts. Just getting it out of the cabinet felt like a workout. And cleaning it? Forget it.

So even though I wanted to make smoothies, I kept skipping them. It was just easier to grab a banana and move on with my day.

The Nutribullet Fix

Then everything changed.

I bought a Nutribullet.

It’s small, easy to use, and quick to clean. I keep it on the counter. It takes about 30 seconds to rinse after using. And because of that, I’ve started making smoothies again—almost every day.

Just like that, a healthy habit became simple.

And no—I’m not paid by Nutribullet either. But I believe in sharing the tools that actually help.

My Favorite Morning Smoothie

Here’s the one I make the most right now. It gives you a little caffeine, some protein, and tastes like a treat.

☕️ Coffee Whey Protein Smoothie

You’ll need:

• 1 cup cold-brewed coffee (or cooled Nespresso)
• 1 scoop whey protein (vanilla or chocolate)
• ½ banana
• ½ cup almond milk or any milk
• 1 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter (optional)
• 1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt
• Dash of cinnamon or cocoa powder

Optional extras:

• 1–2 dates
• 1 tsp chia or flax seeds
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Put everything in the blender. Blend until smooth. Pour and enjoy!

The Big Idea

Sometimes, the hardest part of a healthy habit isn’t the food—it’s the tool. If your blender is too much work, you won’t use it. If your coffee takes 20 minutes to make, you’ll skip breakfast.

But with the right appliance? You remove the stress. And that makes the habit stick.

Final Thoughts

If you’re trying to eat better, start by making your kitchen easier to use. Keep the tools you love on the counter. Ditch the ones that frustrate you.

And if you're changing your diet in a serious way? Talk to a registered dietitian and a board-certified doctor, not a chiropractor or some “wellness guru” who learned nutrition on YouTube.

You can find more of my recipes at terrysimpson.com. And if you want more food science and fewer fads, check out my newsletter on Substack at tsimpson.substack.com.

Until then, keep it simple, keep it smart, and keep the peanut butter chunky.

—

Reference:

¹ Consumer Reports – “Why Air Fryers Are Still Flying Off the Shelves” (2023)