Chocolate Superfood Smoothie

The recipe I’m going to share with you today is one I’ve been making for ages!   It’s delicious and creamy and full of healthy ingredients, including two superfoods!   It’s one of my family’s favorite smoothies, along with the Caribbean Green Smoothie. 

 

Chocolate Superfood Smoothie | Vegan | Gluten Free | Healthy Recipes | Plant Based Diet | Healthy Breakfast | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

Have you ever made a chocolate smoothie?   They are just divine!  It’s amazing how just a few ingredients—–plant based milk, cocoa powder and bananas can taste just like a chocolate milkshake or soft serve ice cream!

A few years ago, my kids would ask for one every morning for breakfast.   Which is great, right?   So much better than those sugar-laden cereals or toast!

But….they were in rut and I was feeling bad that they were missing out on their green smoothies with all those nutritious greens (no kid ever eats enough of those!)  So, I decided to experiment a bit to make my chocolate smoothies even healthier!

For several years my kids had no idea what I was sneaking into their smoothies!   I played around a bit to get the proportions correct and when I was done, I was so much happier about the nutritional value of their chocolate smoothies.

 

Chocolate Superfood Smoothie | Vegan | Gluten Free | Healthy Recipes | Plant Based Diet | Healthy Breakfast | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

The Wholesome Ingredients:  Two Superfoods

 

Chia Seeds

I’m a big fan of chia seeds!   We go through a lot of them in my home so I buy them in bulk !

Chia seeds are often called a  “superfood” because they are so high in vitamins and minerals.    Chia seeds are actually the highest plant based source of protein along with a sea vegetable called spirulina.  While the taste of spirulina is a lot more difficult to hide in a smoothie, chia seeds work great!  They are also high in B vitamins, selenium, Omega 3 Fatty Acids (which are not always easy to get in your diet) and fiber.

One of the interesting things about chia seeds is they also boost energy.  A recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning found chia seeds to be as energizing as consuming a sports drink such as Gatorade.

 I love that I can send my kids out the door with a natural boost of energy in the morning!

 

Cacao Powder

Cacao powder, another “superfood,” comes from the raw and fermented cacao bean, the purest form of chocolate.  It is full of antioxidants and flavonoids and is high in magnesium and potassium.

Cacao powder, like chia seeds, boosts energy naturally.    It is also less processed than cocoa powder and because it is unheated, it retains more of it’s nutrients.

 I use cacao powder as a substitute for cocoa powder in any recipe that’s not cooked.

 

Chocolate Superfood Smoothie | Vegan | Gluten Free | Healthy Recipes | Plant Based Diet | Healthy Breakfast | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

 

Adding Herbs To Your Smoothie

 

You may be thinking, “What?  Why would I add herbs to my smoothie?”

Well, my friends, if you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know I’m all about sneaking in more nutrition where I can.  I want to get the most bang for my buck with the food we eat.   It’s pretty common for me to add herbs to my smoothies (both fresh, dried and powdered.)

Adding herbs to your food goes way beyond just adding flavor.  Some herbs are loaded with vitamins and minerals, not to mention, they have a whole string of other benefits such as reducing inflammation, increasing alkalinity in the body, boosting immunity, etc.

Nettle

Last month we talked a bit about the nutritional value of nettle and why I use nettle in my Super Infused Tea.  Nettle is loaded with nutrients such as calcium, manganese, magnesium, vitamin K, potassium and silica  It is also a great source of iron.

Adding nettle to your chocolate smoothie is an EASY way to consume it, especially for kids.  For more information on nettle, you can check out this post.

 

Astragalus Root

Powered astragalus root is one of my favorite herbs to add to food.  It’s a sweet tonic herb which makes it easy to add to things like smoothies or oatmeal or even baked goods.

Astragalus root has been studied extensively for its effect on the immune system.  It has been shown to reduce the occurrence of common respiratory illnesses, inhibit tumor growth and boost the immune system in general.

It is also considered an adaptogen.  It helps to build and restore general health to the body.

Astragalus root powder is an optional ingredient in the smoothie.  If you don’t have any, no worries!

 

 I hope you give this recipe a try!

Enjoy!

 

Yields 2 cups

Chocolate Superfood Smoothie

An herbal superfood smoothie.

5 minPrep Time

5 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plant based milk such as almond, cashew or coconut
  • 1 large banana, frozen and broken into small chunks
  • 1 large handful fresh spinach
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 tsp dried nettle
  • 1 tsp astragalus powder

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
7.8.1.2
15
https://www.myhealthyhomemadelife.com/chocolate-superfood-smoothie/

Nutrition

Calories

384 cal

Fat

1 g

Carbs

99 g

Protein

1 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

 

 

 

 

 

Resources:

Rosalee de la Forȇt.  http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/

Dr. Axe.  http: www.draxe.com

 

 This site is for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice. Information found on  myhealthyhomemadelife.com  is meant to motivate you to make your own health care and dietary decisions based upon your own research and in partnership with your health care provider.

 

 

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Interested in eating drinks?  You might also enjoy these posts!

How to make a Super Infused Herbal Tea | DIY Multi Vitamin | Home Remedies | Herbal Remedies | My Healthy Homemade Life

 

How to Make Your Own Herbal Vitamin Drink

 

 

Caribbean Green Smoothie -- Vegan & Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Clean Eating | Plant Based Diet |

Caribbean Green Smoothie 

 

 

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33 Comments

  • Reply Zoë at Oh my gosh this looks amazing! Thank you sooooo much for sharing such a fab recipe with us... And super healthy too! ?
  • Reply Caitlin at Yum! Chocolate for breakfast or snack, perfect :) Sounds easy to make, too!
    • Reply Jen at It's so easy, Caitlin! :)
  • Reply Lynn at I love anything with chocolate. I'll have to give this a try. I'm worried about the chia seeds getting stuck in my teeth. Does that happen to you? xo, Lynn N. http://emmaandrose.com Pinterest/Twitter: @emmaandrose Instagram: @emmaandroseblog
    • Reply Jen at You could always leave the chia seeds out, Lynn or you could use less in your smoothie.
  • Reply Joysofyz at So yummy to have chocolate for breakfast! I always enjoy a smoothie~
    • Reply Jen at I agree! I love chocolate for breakfast...anytime actually! ;)
  • Reply Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries at I always tend to start making smoothies again once Spring and Summer roll around. A chocolate one sounds perfect right now with the 70 degree weather we are having! Looks yummy!
    • Reply Jen at Thanks, Corey! I tend to drink more smoothies in the spring and summer too!
  • Reply yvette at mmmmm yumm! Smoothie time starts for my family in Spring/Summer as we get busy with sports. My kids might like this one so I will be giving it a try!
    • Reply Jen at Awesome, Yvette! I hope your kids love it as much as mine do!
  • Reply Elise Cohen Ho at This recipe is right up my alley. I love superfoods and I really love using herbs for the natural healing properties. at the moment I am drinking Turmeric Juice.
    • Reply Jen at I'm so glad to hear that, Elise! I love adding fresh turmeric to my fresh juices. Do you add anything to your turmeric juice or do you drink it plain?
      • Reply Elise Cohen Ho at I will sometimes add some other herbs or even a touch of lemon juice :)
        • Reply Jen at Great idea, Elise! Smoothies are such a great way to sneak things in, aren't they?
  • Reply Kassey at Thank you so much for sharing this Jen. I am actually in a hunt of good smoothies to make. I am currently hooked with smoothies and smoothie bowl. You have great information there. But I have to admit it is my first time to read about Astragalus. You learn something everyday.
    • Reply Jen at You are so welcome, Kassey! You can never have too many smoothie recipes! Thank you! :)
  • Reply Alissa at I wish i had all the ingredients to make this right now! I think we currently only have bananas and spinach out of what you listed. I love how informative this was, beyond just being a recipe. I love eating healthy--i love how tastes as well as how it feels. But i still tend to get caught up in believing that it's hard to do--this certainly proves that's not so! Being able to "sneak" true health foods into a chocolate shake! Going to have to save it to Pinterest, to be used when i can get more of the ingredients.
    • Reply Jen at I'm so happy to hear that, Alyssa! I agree, it's so great to be able to sneak in healthy foods and still have something delicious! I hope you enjoy it!
  • Reply The Sun Mama at Thanks for sharing this super healthy , super yummy snack!!
  • Reply Sarah | I Heart Frugal at This looks really good and my kids love smoothies! I am going to try It! I've never heard off of Nettle before but I'm willing to try it if it is healthy! Great tips!
    • Reply Jen at I am so glad, Sarah! Nestle is a wonderful herb....so Healthy! I hope you can try it!
  • Reply Danielle at I always learn such wonderful things from your posts...this time it was the root powder that I googled because I can't smell. You are so creative and I love everything that you make! Now when am I coming over?
    • Reply Jen at You are so sweet, Danielle! :) Thank you!
  • Reply Anna at I won't have a hard time having this for breakfast tho look so healthy. Thank you fo sharing the recipe.
    • Reply Jen at You're so welcome, Anna! I hope you enjoy it!
  • Reply Suzie at A 5 min chocolate shake? I'll take it!! I'm actually going to try and make this tomorrow morning! Thank you for the awesome recipe!
    • Reply Jen at Awesome, Suzie! I hope you enjoy it! :)
  • Reply Stephanie | Adventures in Aussieland at This recipe looks so amazing. I love how you added the herbs for extra nutrients. Definitely a good go-to breakfast smoothy.
    • Reply Jen at Thank you, Stephanie! I do love adding herbs where I can! :)
  • Reply Spring Foraging - What I Found in My Backyard - My Healthy Homemade Life at […] have big plans for the nettle!   I’ve been adding the dried herb to my smoothies and tea blends but I’m anxious to start using the fresh herb!  It’s still too small to […]

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