I have been a smoothie drinker for about four years now. On some days in the week, I will sneak in a smoothie mid-morning after my breakfast. And although green smoothies are nice and I will create a delicious glass once in a while, I am not fanatic about them. I feel that often they are very high in fibre and lack a balance.
I love a carefully concocted glass of creaminess balanced with fruit, veggies, nuts and some superfoods that you would not normally consume by the spoonful. A meal. Most importantly, a nourishing meal that would be lapped up by my boys (8 and 11) without any fuss after a hard day at school or a gruelling soccer session. There is no way, they would survive on just greens. In fact, I love the art of mixing a smoothie so much so that I created a Smoothie 101 guide that is super helpful on the wall at my beverage station when I am lacking inspiration.
The smoothie I am about to share today is a version of one of my absolute favourites - a chocolate and raspberry smoothie. Created for the Nuts For Life #nuts30days30ways event during the month of March, this smoothie is an energy boosting treat when you need to waken and revitalise your body. It has a balanced amount of protein, good fats, fibre, carbs and antioxidants and is absolutely delicious. My boys love it. I will often swap peanut butter for cashew butter (recent discovery for me and so yum!) and add a handful of baby spinach leaves to boost the iron content. It seriously tastes like a chilled liquid version of a Banana Chocolate And Raspberry Bread. Try it! You will be hooked!
Do you and your kiddos love smoothies? Are you greenies or creamies (like us)? What are some of your favourite ingredients to use in a smoothie? Do share, I am always looking for new smoothie inspiration. And if you make it and love it, don't forget to rate the recipe below and share with me using #cookrepublic.
BROWSE >> SMOOTHIE RECIPES
BROWSE >> VEGAN RECIPES
Three Years Ago - Citrus Sushi Bowl
Four Years Ago – Quinoa Muffins
Seven Years Ago - Choc Chip And Peanut Butter Shortbread Stars
Recipe
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NUTTY CACAO SMOOTHIE
Ingredients
- 2 frozen bananas
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- 2 cups (500 ml) milk of choice , (I used soy milk)
- ½ cup (125 ml) coconut water
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cacao
- ¼ cup (30 g) walnuts
- ¼ cup (30 g) pecans
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- ground cinnamon, to dust
- chia seeds, to garnish
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except cinnamon and chia in the jug of a high powered blender. Process until smooth (approximately a minute).
- Pour in 4 X 250 ml capacity jars/glasses. Dust with cinnamon powder and sprinkle with chia seeds.
This is just what I needed Sneh. We've been on the same smoothie for about a year now. It's well past time to shake it up!
Holy moly! Totally making! Thanks!
Yum! Totally gonna try this 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
xo Raina
http://www.themamaqueen.com
This absolutely beautiful. Amazing blog!
Louis
http://www.hotchamp.com
I'm going to try that. I like c
The sound of the wall at your 'beverage station' - superb!! Any chance of a pic? Not to be nosy it just sounds like a good organising tip and I hunt those down! Lovely blog.
Sure Fiona. Scroll down a bit on this page http://www.cookrepublic.com/welcome-to-our-new-kitchen-renovation-before-and-after/ It is against a chalkboard wall and houses my coffee machine, blender, slow juicer, soda machine (and now microwave) x
What a delicious looking smoothie! I have only been making smoothies for about a year now but I will be adding this one to my repitoire. Gorgeous pics too.
Thanks so much for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Thanks Julie! xx
For over two months now a smoothie is a part of my daily routine! Turning fruit and veggies into a rich liquid became almost as important as brushing the teeth after eating. And I've just realized my absolutely favourite fruit match in cocoa-nut mixture are sour cherries! I like raspberries too but sour cherries are more juicy and make the mixture even more refreshing.
Oh I like the sound of that Kate. I am going to give cherries a go. I have a batch frozen in the freezer! Cheers!
You will love it! 😉
And here's yet another recipe that's reminding me that I really need to buy a blender. Looks so so so good!
What!! You don't have a blender?? A belated house-warming present to yourself maybe ;-)?
This sounds like a dream! I haven't had a smoothie in a while, and this totally makes me feel like getting back on the wagon. Love the photo with all the nuts!
Lovely to see you here Valentina. You are definitely headed into smoothie weather up in the northern hemisphere. You'll love this one! x
This smoothie looks delicious, Sneh, and I just love your photos. <3
This is such a beautiful thing! It sounds so creamy dreamy with all those different nuts!
It is too. Breakfast and dessert in one! Thanks Tori x
I am a huge smoothie fan, and there's ample evidence of it on my FB page where most of my readers have dubbed me the 'smoothie' queen. I love my greens and my creams though the rest of the family leans more towards the creams (the greens have to be sneaked in!). Love your version and I am sure this one's gonna be a hit with the little champ at home.
Hope you enjoy it. I have to sneak in the greens too 🙂 x
What a scrumptious way to start the day!