Cacao Hemp Smoothie Bowl
Cacao Hemp Smoothie Bowl
About this Recipe
Chocolate for me is everything — but I could never understand the appeal of dark chocolate until I realized what went into most commercial chocolate. Now, raw cacao is my favourite superfood. With its chocolatey flavor and creamy texture, this is a great “breakthrough” recipe for people who are reluctant to try smoothies or raw foods. Greens in smoothies can be an acquired taste. I like amaranth, but you can start with baby spinach, mint, and milder greens.
The Benefits
Raw cacao has super-high antioxidant levels — much more than blueberries. It has more calcium than milk and is the highest plant-based source of iron. It is also one of the highest sources of magnesium. Leafy greens, hemp and other seeds add even more fiber and healthy fats. This is a great smoothie for taking the edge off PMS symptoms.
Ingredients
1 to 2 servings
For the Smoothie
- 2 small ripe yelakki banana or 1 medium ripe banana
- 1 medium chikoo (sapodilla) or 2 dates, seeds removed
- ½ inch ginger, peeled
- 1 tsp hemp seeds
- ½ tsp chia seeds
- ½ tsp flaxseed
- ½ tsp pumpkin seeds
- ½ tsp melon seeds
- ½ cup amaranth or other greens, washed
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp raw cacao powder
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 1-2 drops orange essential oil
- Water
- Ice as required
For the Topping
- 1 tsp chia seeds, soaked and bloomed
- 1 tsp raisins, soaked for six hours
- 3 to 4 peeled orange segments
- ½ tsp orange zest
- Cacao nibs
Directions
-
Step 1
Blend the chopped bananas, chikoo, and ginger with the leafy greens , turmeric powder, cacao powder, almond milk, all the seeds, and essential oil. If you didn’t freeze your fruit, or if your blender runs hot, add a couple of ice cubes while blending. Add a splash of water or more almond milk if required to get a smooth consistency. -
Step 2
Pour the smoothie into a bowl or a glass. Garnish with the remaining ingredients.
Substitutions: Use your preferred plant milk.
Level Up: Make your own seed mix with ¼ cup each hemp seeds, flaxseed, pumpkin seed, melon seeds or other seeds of choice. Refrigerate in an air-tight container.
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About the author
Mariam Begg
Mariam Begg is a certified health and nutrition coach who focuses on integrative nutrition. She views good health as the coming together of food, interpersonal relationships, spirituality, and the mental and emotional spheres. An advocate of plant-based diets and raw foods, she hosts workshops on nutrition and health.
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