Another smoothie? Chocolate almond milk and sweet frozen cherries make this a sweet and healthy treat to kick off the day. Chocolate, cherries and chia seeds. Oh my!
My husband is home sick so it’s smoothie time! A few late nights out (I’m guilty too…) and he’s run down. Along with a Law & Order marathon on Netflix, this delicious smoothie is perfect on this cozy day at home. I’m always trying to mix up my repertoire so the addition of a little chocolate makes the cut. I recently read a great post from Rodale about the best ingredients for smoothies. A handful of spinach or kale can immediately boost any smoothie’s nutrition. Substitute goji berries or cacao powder to sweeten or add chocolate flavor. There are so many options to keep your smoothie recipes fresh.
Ingredients:
Makes two.
2 cups fresh or frozen cherries/berries
2 bananas
2 cups chocolate almond milk
2 tsp hemp seeds
2 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
splash of vanilla
Using a blender or fancy smoothie-making machine (Note: We use the Ninja Professional from Target and we LOVE it!) break up and add the bananas. In season, fresh berries would be fantastic but for now I used frozen raspberries, blueberries and cherries. Add your berry combination along with the cinnamon and vanilla. They add a bit of sweetness and warmth. Add the chocolate almond milk. (Note: Hemp, rice, coconut milk etc. can be used.) Now for the extras! I have been using hemp seed in cereals and oatmeal for a while. It’s a excellent way to add protein to a vegetarian diet and it lends a mild, nutty flavor that actually enhances your food. And the beloved chia seed. Such a great way to add antioxidants to your life. Smoothies, salads, cereal, rice, pasta, etc. And it gives a tiny crunch to your food.
Once you’ve added all your goodies to the blender, mix away. Our Ninja takes less than a minute to blend all the frozen bits into a creamy, delicious smoothie. Pour into a glass, take a sip and say, ah! Chocolate, cherries and chia seeds. Oh my! Enjoy!
