“Tastes like pudding!” I quote hubby. We both love these healthy, delicious smoothies for breakfast almost every morning. I don’t add any sweeteners, but find this smoothie doesn’t need any. The banana and carrots do the trick. It truly tastes like chocolate pudding, but it’s so much better for you and can easily replace a meal with all the nutrients. Try one for breakfast and tell me if you agree!
Heavenly Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Smoothie – serves 2 – 3
(Ingredients are listed in order of first to last to place in your blender. Place liquid and softer items first, ice last. I highly recommend a super powerful blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix – they are worth the expense and blend hard items like carrots and ice effortlessly.)
10 oz almond milk
1 scoop raw vegan protein powder (optional)
6 tbs organic cocoa powder
1 banana
10-15 baby carrots ( use 10 if they are thumb size and 15 is they are pinkie finger size)
1 – 2 fresh kale leaves (can substitute other greens if you don’t have kale, but it’s preferred for nutrition and taste)
2 tbs chia seed soaked for a couple minutes in 3 tbs warm water (sort of optional – but packed with omega 3, omega 6 and fiber. They also help thicken the smoothie. If you don’t soak them, they don’t grind well and are very hard, but a quick soak and they turn to a tasteless grey goo and blend right in. It sounds icky, but they are so nutrient dense and have no taste, at least in this recipe)
2 tbs peanut or almond butter
1 tbs cinnamon (optional – very nice in winter)
1 cup crushed ice
Items in order and ready to blend
