This raw chocolate banana smoothie is so sweet, creamy and rich, it’s almost hard to believe it’s good for you.
Before I get to the smoothie recipe, though, I want to tell you about my Garden of Life Giveaway!
The great people at Garden of Life are going to give one bottle of their awesome organic coconut oil and one bottle of their delicious Hawaiian raw honey to one of my lucky readers. All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment below, and I’d love it if you tell me about your favorite smoothie recipe.
If you want an extra entry into the giveaway, mention this post on twitter or facebook and then leave me another comment telling me you did so…
You can enter the giveaway between now and midnight of February 15th. I’ll pick a winner at random on the 16th. Make sure I have your email address so I can notify you if you win! Good luck!
Back to the smoothie…
This one is very different from the green smoothie recipe I posted the other day- both are very nourishing, but in completely different ways.
This is a higher protein smoothie. It makes a great breakfast; I also like it as a pre/post-workout snack, and I sometimes make a version of this for dessert, as well.
I’m not generally a fan of protein powders, but I did add some Garden of Life Raw Protein Powder to this smoothie. I received a jar of this as a complementary gift from the company (I told you they were great people!) and I’m very impressed with it.
Raw Protein is derived from raw organic sprouts. It’s vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free. It does not contain any artificial ingredients and it doesn’t change the flavor of the smoothie. I give it a definite “thumbs up”. If you can’t find this product or a very similar one, though, I’d probably skip the protein powder: I find most of them to be very processed and I don’t really trust what’s in them to be good for you.
If you’re not using the protein powder, though, you can still load this smoothie up with healthy protein by adding raw milk or organic plain yogurt or kefir and/or 1-2 raw eggs; if you use fresh, local, organic free-range eggs, there is very, very little risk of salmonella. I’ve been adding raw eggs to my smoothies for years and I’ve never had a problem.
This smoothie also contains organic coconut oil, a healthy fat that I love (more about organic coconut oil)…
…as well as raw cacao (aka raw chocolate) powder.
I can not say enough good things about raw cacao/chocolate powder. It’s high in magnesium, iron, fiber, and anti-oxidants and I absolutely love it. I used Divine Organics Sacred Cacao this time, which I found at my local natural foods store (unfortunately I don’t it see available online). I’ve also used and love Navitas Naturals Dark Chocolate Powder/Organic Cacao Power
Healthy Chocolate Smoothie Recipe
Adapted from the Garden of Life Mochacchino Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
*1 cup organic plain yogurt or Greek yogurt (or 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup organic coconut milk or 1 cup coconut milk for a dairy-free smoothie)
*1 cup filtered water (or use more liquid(s) above)
*1 1/2 organic bananas, previously peeled, cut into chunks, and frozen
*1-2 Tb. Garden of Life or similar organic raw protein powder
*1-2 organic, free-range eggs- optional
*1-2 Tb. organic raw cacao powder (use the larger amount if you really like chocolate)
*1-2 tsp. organic freeze-dried coffee (regular or decaf; I use Mount Hagen brand)- optional, for a mocha flavor
*1 Tb. organic coconut oil
*1 Tb. organic flax oil or ground flax seeds- optional
*1 Tb. raw honey or stevia to taste- optional
*pinch of Himalayan or sea salt- optional
Directions:
Blend all ingredients well, adding ice or additional water to produce desired consistency. Serves 1.
This post is linked to the February 5th edition of Fight Back Friday. Head over to Food Renegade to see all the other Real Food submissions this week!
p.s. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who linked to my healthy breakfast recipe carnival to help Haiti. I think I was just short of a combined 50 links/comments, but I’ll round up and send $50 to Haiti. I am also donating my January ad revenue to Haiti. If you are interested in doing the same in the coming months, contact Marc Matsumoto of No Recipes at Blog Away Hunger/Help Haiti.
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I like smoothies with frozen fruit, some protein powder, milk and maybe a bit of ice cream to make it a little creamier =D.
This sounds fantastic. I make a smoothy with pineapple juice, frozen strawberries, and plain yogurt. It is great during the summer heat.
My favorite smoothie is chocolate cherry berry… made with frozen dark red cherries, blueberries raw cacao, a frozen banana and a dolop of greek yogurt or coconut milk. It’s a great way to satisfy my chocolate cravings in a healthy way :)
winnie, they are all great. i am on my way to grocery story right now and will definitely pick up ingredients for these. keep ‘em coming!
I would love to get sticky with some of that honey! :)
Wow – these smoothie recipes are so healthy and inspiring! I usually do a basic yoghurt, banana, protein powder or similar with blueberries, but this has really gotten me thinking that I need to incorporate some more greens and I LOVE the idea of that raw cocoa and the coconut oil. It would not have occurred to me to buy raw cocoa powderI So much to know – I will have to do some shopping in the next week. Thanks so much!
I am so glad I stumbled upon your facebook page. It is hard to find new & inventive ideas for the raw & or whole foodist. Cant wait to sample some of the recipes you’ve posted. Thank you so much.
Also, love Garden of Life products!
Oooops! Forgot to leave my favorite smoothie recipe:
Tropical smoothie: [using the vita-mix or blendtec] Feeds 3-6
2 Bananas
2 large handfuls of strawberries
1 large handful of frozen pineapple [not canned, but canned can be used]
1/2 frozen mango or Naked brand mango smoothie
1 handful frozen papaya
1 can coconut milk
1/8th cup – 1/4 cup chia seed or salba seed
apple juice
Blend until smooth
Oh yes, I often “sneak” in a few leaves of FRESH KALE
I’ve now linked this on my facebook page. thank you again!
I am a big fan of smoothies of this type for me and my kids. I make them several times a week. I am also a very very big fan of the Garden of Life products!! I can hardly wait to try this one, only thing I have to go buy is the chocolate and I wish I had it now and I would stop all I am doing to whip one up – yummo! I am sure I will love it, thanks for the recipe!!
ooh how I’m in love with Garden of Life and so thankful to have an organic clean source of supplements! I’ve been loving this smoothie: with frozen organic strawberries, raspberries, ice and fresh sprouts and a dab of agave! I’d love to add some honey or coconut oil, yummm!
i will have to try this cacao powder as my fave shake is protein powder, chocolate, almond butter, and bananas…
Garden of life Giveaway! I would love to win coconut oil and raw honey, i use coconut oil in smoothies when i have it, or just eat it from the spoon. I am flexible with my smoothies whatever i happen to have on hand, i always use bananas and blueberries and ground flax with a greens (powder) mixture, and sometimes also add (rice) protein, with either o.j. or a whole orange and some rice milk and ice. When i 1st introduced my kids to smoothies i used a sherbert ice cream and this is very good!
I shared this post on facebook.
I agree breakfast is the most important meal of the day – and you need to start your day healthy! I just came across using the coconut oil – it is wonderful – great for a base to scramble eggs, fry up veges, etc. Our family is definately taking this time to learn more to get more healthy and to eat better. It will benefit us all!
I enjoy a bit of soy or almond milk (vanilla), 1 banana, 1 soy yogurt, and some frozen berries. Simple, smooth breakfast to go.
My favorite smoothie consists of cherries, a banana, blueberries, some almond milk, a half a scoop of protein and two ice cubes. Put all of that in a blender and enjoy :)
I love to use raw milk, a bit of raw cream, a bit of almond milk together with the soaking water, about 3 raw eggs, some raw ginger, an avocado, about 1/2 cup of berries of any kind, some coconut oil, and some raw honey. Maybe a little cinnamon. I sometimes add wheat grass if I have it. I don’t put CLO in it; it’s too good to leave residue in the blender or my cup! Then I whir it all up. It’s like drinking dessert for breakfast and I’m rarely hungry any sooner than 3-4 hours later!
Just tweeted: @tracebooks
Great giveaway! One of our favorite smoothies is frozen bananas, coconut milk, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. My husband made it up and it is such a yummy treat!
I actually make smoothies almost everyday (a quick way to get breakfast into kindergartener before she has to be at school.) We always have a whole bunch of different fruits around so I’ve experimented with too many to keep track – but pineapple (fresh), orange, and pears tend to be the winners. Our blender is so powerful that I blend the pineapple core too which actually is supposed to be good for you ! The kids actually really like it when I add flax (I grind the whole seeds first before adding other ingredients) because it gives the smoothie a richness and they think it’s soft serve ice cream !
Great giveaway! I think my favorite smoothie recipe would be an oldie but goodie: homemade raw cow’s milk kefir, coconut milk, an egg (from our obliging chickens), raw honey, a ripe organic banana, and frozen organic raspberries! This one never fails to please my 5 kidlets or myself (my husband really likes it too when he’s home!).
I make a delicious smoothie with organic bananas, frozen mixed berries, home made kefir, and home made almond milk. Sometimes I add ground flax seeds or flax oil. Mix in the blender.
I love coconut oil and I use it all the time as a replacement in my baking and cooking. And I just held off on buying raw honey in the supermarket because I wanted to read some more about it. One of my favorite smoothies is soymilk or milk, banana, blueberries, wheat germ and some flaxseed smoothie-with a touch of coconut oil!
Just tweeted: https://twitter.com/thenakedbeet
Wow that smoothie looks great! Chocolate-banana is always a winner. As is strawberry-banana with spinach (love my green smoothies!)
Great giveaway! I love Garden of Life products :)
I tweeted about your giveaway!
http://twitter.com/the_vegster/status/9099138732
My favorite smoothie is with frozen banana (instead of ice), herbal tea (instead of milk), freshly ground flax, 1 or 2 handfuls spinach, and either hemp protein or Amazing Grass – the best! :-D
Great giveaway!
This looks delicious! My favourite smoothie currently is:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 cup soymilk
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/4 cup – 1/2 cup leftover cooked porridge (preferably with raisins)
1 tablespoon ground flax
I totally just made up the proportions now — in reality I just dump stuff together and whiz without measuring.
Using cooked oats makes this unbelievably creamy — try it!
I really enjoy smoothies all year long can’t wait to try some of yours!
This garden of Life Coconut Oil is so so good. I use it in everything- smoothies, heating, sauces, cakes and especially raw chocolates. I’ve recently started a blog, where I will post a new recipe each week, so join me on http://www.betterraw.blogspot.com
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