I'm not really a big smoothie guy.  But I've recently discovered the power of little daily activities you can do to improve your life.  And one of the ones I've been trying to stick to is a morning smoothie.  Now, some people make really elaborate smoothies, which is great.  If you have time to get to the grocery store and buy kale and peaches are god-knows-what-else, then more power to you.  I don't.  So my smoothies are dead simple.  I take one scoop of some kind of protein powder, a handful of ice, about 6 ounces of water, and one banana (preferably a bit overripe), and blend in my Vitamix on the "frozen dessert" setting.  Voila.  Tasty, nutritious, and a great way to start the day.  For protein powder, I've gone back and forth.  The good stuff costs significantly more, but it's worth it.  I got started on a German product that a friend of mine gave me free samples of, called Almased.  I love it, and they sell it at most GNC stores.  (I can't get free samples anymore because she doesn't work there!).  But honestly there's probably nothing wrong per se with the cheap whey powders at Trader Joe's, if that's more your speed.  It beats stopping by McDonalds!