Cacao-licious Hemp Smoothie
Cacao-licious Hemp Smoothie
Cacao powder is amazing stuff. It looks and tastes pretty much just like cocoa powder, but it’s better. WAY better. Cacao is actually cold-pressed unroasted cacao beans (straight from the tree!) and its nutritional properties are still intact because it hasn’t been roasted at high temps like cocoa powder.
Cacao is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc. There are other cool health benefits to choosing cacao over cocoa too, but as always, we encourage you to do your own research.
Smoothies are such an awesome way to pack a ton of nutritional punch into a tiny toddler approved package. What’s even more fun is when a smoothie is so thick and creamy and decadent that you can call it a dessert, but it also happens to be extremely healthy. This Cacao-licious Hemp Smoothie does that.
When your next chocolate craving strikes or you just want to offer your kiddos a guilt-free, no refined sugar chocolatey treat, try this smoothie!
INGREDIENTS:
1 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or use plain + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
2 frozen bananas, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon chia seeds
3 tablespoons cacao powder (cocoa or carob will work in a pinch)
3 tablespoons hemp seeds
2 tablespoons peanut butter (or preferred nut/seed butter)
1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, to taste
small handful of spinach
small handful of ice cubes
INSTRUCTIONS:
Put all ingredients in the order listed into a high speed blender and blitz until smooth and creamy.
NOTE:
A regular blender may also be used, but it might not pulverize the hemp seeds entirely smooth like a high speed model will.
Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top for the ultimate dessert-like treat!