Smoothie in my eye, my hair, up the walls, down the cupboards and all over the floor! How cliched! I switched on the smoothie machine without putting on the lid and Im sure with a little imagination you can guess what followed …
After a mammoth clean-up and finishing off what I had started, seeing the delight on my boys faces when I served them a ‘chocolate milkshake’ made it all worth it!
Traditionally, a smoothie is a blend of fruit, ice and either milk, yoghurt or ice-cream, but in an attempt to eliminate dairy from my diet, I have been experimenting with alternatives and oh my, what a success!
How? By using nuts with water to create a milk substitute, and adding Chia Seeds to thicken the mixture.
If you are looking for a thick, creamy chocolate smoothie that will give you and your family a boost of energy for the day, here’s how:
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
(serves 4)
– 1/4 cup of Almonds or Cashews pieces (preferably soaked over night – but honestly, who thinks ahead!)
– 1/4 cup Coconut Flakes
– 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
– 1 cup of ice-cold Water (or tap water if hubby has forgotten to refill the water bottle)
– 3 large Bananas
– 1-2 peeled and chopped Apples
– 1 tablespoon Raw Cacao Powder
– 2 teaspoons Carob Powder
– 1 tablespoon Maca Powder or choice of Superfood Shake Powder
– 1 tablespoon of Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
– 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
– ice blocks (I use a full ice-tray)
Optional:
– scoop of Protein Powder (I use either Whey Isolate or Pea Protein)
– a few raisins or dates (for sweetness)
– mixed seeds (pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds)
– goji berries (these are an incredible superfood adding a gooey and almost salty taste)
HERE’S HOW:
I blitz almonds (or cashews) with water until it creates a milk-like mixture.
I add chia seeds and coconut flakes and leave to soak in the liquid for about 5-10 minutes (or until the boys are screaming for their smoothie) to allow the seeds to swell and thicken the mixture.
I throw in a concoction of seeds, goji berries, raisins, etc, and blitz again.
I then add the bananas and apples, followed by the cacao powder, Superfood Powder of choice and nut butter.
Add a tray of ice blocks and blitz until it’s smooth.
I usually add a second tray if too thick (or want it to go further) but I don’t blitz it thoroughly so it is more like crushed ice.
Pour into a glass and serve with a straw.
Slurp away! (hah, if only my great-grandmother heard me saying those words I’d be in the dog box!) Honestly, the more slurping I hear, the more satisfaction I get knowing my boys are enjoying every last drop of pure goodness.
Do try it, it’s simply delicious!