Like many of us, I am a chocolate lover!
Chocolate sweets and treats are typically associated with Valentine’s Day but once I
discovered the taste and benefits of raw cacao powder, I prefer to make my own cacoa-
powered delights.
The flavor is amazing and so are the health benefits:
Raw cacao powder contains more than 300 different chemical compounds and nearly
four times the antioxidant power of your average dark chocolate – more than 20 times
than that of blueberries.
Protein, calcium, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, sulfur, flavonoids, antioxidants,
and essential fatty acids are also present.
The precise blend of all these elements combined serve to kick in naturally occurring phyto-
chemicals that have incredible benefits throughout the body, such as lowered LDL cholesterol,
improved heart function, and reduced cancer risk.
There are so many ways to enjoy cacao, however, one of my favorite treats is a quick and easy
cacao smoothie like the recipe below.
Of course, you can substitute any of the fruits and vegetables with whatever’s in
season or on hand in your kitchen.
This smoothie is so rich, creamy and delicious that sometimes I pour it into a goblet
and sip it like a glass of fine wine!
Pour a glass for yourself and one for your honey!
Now make a toast to good health and good times!
Chocolate Lovers Cacao Almond Butter Superfood Smoothie
Ingredients
1 frozen organic banana
1 cup organic frozen raspberries
2 cups hemp milk
2 tablespoons organic hemp seeds
2 tablespoons organic raw almond butter
2-3 tablespoons organic raw cacao
1/2 organic avocado
1 cup organic spinach (or other leafy greens)
1 teaspoon organic cinnamon
3 organic dates
2 scoops organic chocolate protein powder (optional)
1/2 cup ice cubes
Directions
Add ingredients to your high speed blender. (I use a Vitamix)
Blend until all ingredients are liquified.
Turn off blender and scrape down the sides to add food that may
be stuck to the blender jar to the smoothie liquid.
Add ice cubes and blend again.
Taste the smoothie and adjust as needed to meet your preferences.
Add more ice or liquid if it is too thick.
Add a date or two if it is needs to be sweeter.
Blend again briefly.
Pour into mason jars or glasses.
Drink up and enjoy the rich chocolate-y goodness!
PIN & SHARE:
Have you used cacao powder?
What do you like to make with cacao?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
“Shared on Kind & Healthy Fridays”
“Shared on Healthy Vegan Fridays”
“Shared on the Weekend Retreat Link Party”
Shared at Thank Goodness It’s Monday at Nourishing Joy
“Shared on Heart and Soul Blog Hop”
I know what I’m having for breakfast tomorrow morning! This looks amazing. Thanks for sharing on healthy living link party!
Hi Anne,
I see you are a chocolate lover too! Thanks for sharing your comments. I appreciate it.
Oh my this is jammed packed with yummy nutrition.
Hi Joyce,
I’m glad you like it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Deborah,
Wow that smoothie sounds delicious and healthful! What a wonderful combination with the berries, chocolate, bananas, and avocado. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
Hi Marla,
Yes, I have to admit that a cacao (chocolate) smoothie is a delicious as a piece of dark chocolate–but it is even better for you! Thanks for Pinning and Tweeting. I appreciate it!
Mmmm what a creamy, dreamy, chocolatey smoothie! It sounds super delicious. And it would make a great chocolate craving disappear!
Thanks so much for sharing this at Healthy Vegan Fridays Deborah – I’m pinning & sharing.
I hope you are having a great week!
Hi Kimmy,
Yes, I have grown to love cacoa smoothies as much as a piece of chocolate candy. When I was growing up we hand a local candy store and I used to feast on Hershey bars, Almond Joy, Baby Ruth bars and other chocolate treats, now I make my own vegan chocolate smoothies and they satisfy that craving! Thanks for pinning and sharing!
The funny thing about your ingredient list is I love avocados so much I would never dream of putting it in a smoothie where I can’t taste it, ha ha! It does sound like a fabulous combination. Thanks for sharing on the Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays Linky Party. I hope you will join us again next week.
Hi Audrey,
It took me a while to add avocado to smoothies for that reason, but you don’t taste them, they just add creaminess and nutrients.
Hi Deborah – Ohhh, this looks so good! Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real party.
Thank you, Gaye. I appreciate that! Hope you try this recipe!
Looks delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pining.
Thank you, Swathi. It’s always fun to participate in the Hearth and Soul blog hop. Thanks for pinning this. I appreciate it.
That looks so frothy and delicious! I’m definitely a chocolate lover. I love all of the healthy ingredients you use. It’s giving me some ideas for my plain jane smoothies. 🙂
Sounds FAbulous!! Thanks for joining the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up…Pinned 🙂