Spring Smoothie Series: Chocolate Cherry

Did you want a treat on this Monday? Me too. This may be my favorite dessert-tasting smoothie and it’s the best kind of nutritious food - the kind that tastes like a treat. Make it once and I guarantee you’ll make it again. I love this as an afternoon treat when I’m craving something chocolate - it’s that good. You’re welcome.

Ingredients:

Large handful baby spinach

Small handful kale

1-1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (I use vanilla-flavored)

1/2 cup frozen sweet cherries

1/4 -1/2 frozen banana

2 Tbsp raw cacao powder (could sub cocoa powder *)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 scoop collagen (could sub 1 Tbsp chia seeds or flax seeds)

Directions:

Place greens and almond milk in blender and blend until greens are incorporated. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

NOTE: Regular cocoa powder is less rich and little more bitter than the chocolate taste that cacao powder provides, so if you use cocoa powder, you may want to add a Tbsp (or 2) of maple syrup for sweetness.

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How good is this treat for you? Check it out.

Dark, leafy greens (spinach & kale) - great sources of fiber and brain-boosting vitamins A, K, C and folate. Regular consumption of leafy green veggies has even be shown to keep your brain younger and help fend off brain affecting diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Sweet cherries - good source of beta carotene, vitamin C, and antioxidants anthocyanins and quercetin, which work together to prevent cancer and promote longevity.

Banana - a great source of vitamin B6 which has been shown to help improve cognitive function and decrease mood-related symptoms of PMS and hormonal swings.

Raw cacao powder - a powerful source of chromium, a mineral that has been shown to reduce sugar cravings and improve insulin function in the body. Additionally, since the raw form of cacao is actually a bean, it makes raw cacao powder great source of fiber, protein, iron, vitamin C and magnesium.

Collagen - a good source of the amino acid glycine which has been shown to improve sleep and help calm the brain to increase focus and concentration.

Spring Smoothie Series: Coconut Coffee Smoothie

Monday mornings are a race around here - up before the sun, breakfast for everybody, get ready for school and out the door and it can feel like a mad sprint and not for the faint of heart and definitely not to be done without the proper energizing elixir. And since it’s Monday, I’m nothing but efficient so combining my morning caffeine into a nutritious breakfast option makes me all sorts of giddy. This one is smooth and creamy with a rich coffee taste and I’m guessing you could add in some cocoa powder and it might taste like a decadent dessert. I’ll be right back…I’m gonna go try that out.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled (could use cold brew)

1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (I used vanilla flavored)

1/4 cup raw cashews

2 Tbsp unsweetened coconut

1/4 - 1/2 frozen banana

1/4 cup frozen cauliflower

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 scoop collagen peptides

1 date

3-4 ice cubes (or to your consistency preference)

Directions:

1. Blend coffee, almond milk, and cashews in blender until smooth.

2. Add rest of ingredients and blend until smooth.

3. Drink and get energized.