Morning shake

School starts next week and that will mean hectic mornings for a lot of folks. My mornings aren't particularly frenzied, but I never seem to have enough time to do all the things I need to do before I head out the door.

This breakfast shake requires some preparation the night before, but it's quick to come together in the morning, and you can drink it en route if you take it with you in a coffee mug or thermos. What I like best about it is how filling it is, and it really holds you through those first hours of the day. Plus, it's basically a chocolate shake without the fat, and there's nothing in it that's terribly bad for you. Convinced yet? You should be!

Okay, as I said, you have to start this preparation the night before. So, grab two bananas, peel 'em and wrap them in a bit of plastic. Chuck them in the freezer and leave them there 'til morning. Done!

Next, in the morning, while you make your coffee, assemble everything else into the blender you also got ready the night before.

Pour 1/2 cup of oats into the blender. They'll look like this.

Blend them 'til they're a fine powder. It will take about 20 seconds or so.

Dump in the frozen bananas next. They'll still be soft enough to break into pieces. Add a heaping spoonful of dark cocoa powder and another of peanut butter. Finally, squeeze in a teaspoon or so of honey if you like. Top everything off with a cup or so of milk. The amount will vary depending on the size of your bananas.

Blend until smooth. Again, this will take a while for everything to come together.

Pour into a glass (or travel coffee mug mentioned above) and enjoy. When else can you break out your Guinness glass at 7:30 a.m.?