This smoothie bowl is great for days when you really want a chocolate fix yet want to be healthy. The deep chocolate flavour (from the cacao powder and cacao nibs) is balanced with creamy banana and avocado. This smoothie bowl is also free from refined sugar. Smoothies don’t get much better than this! This really does taste like a decadent chocolate pudding…but healthy! And, it doesn’t take much to convince the kids to eat it too.

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So what is in it? It is packed with goodies: cacao powder, cacao nibs, goji berries, chia seeds and wheatgrass. The taste of wheatgrass can be for the discerning palate, but when it is mixed in with the other ingredients, it is unnoticeable and yet you reap the nutritional benefits!

Why take wheatgrass? Wheatgrass is an incredibly nutrient dense source of anti-oxidant vitamins A, C and E. It is also rich in B group vitamins and minerals like potassium and calcium. It has been attributed to a range of benefits, from cancer prevention, immune system and digestive system support, healthy hair and liver detoxification.

The fun bit is decorating your smoothie bowl. (This is when the kids like to get stuck in!) I have listed suggestions below.

Preparation time: 5-10 mins

Makes: 2 bowls

Ingredients:

• 3 Medjool dates
• 3 tbsp goji berries
• 3 tbsp cacao powder
• 2 tbsp cacao nibs
• 1 tsp wheatgrass
• ¼ ripe avocado
• 2 tbsp protein powder (vegan varieties: pea and soya bean work well. Whey protein powder also works too)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 frozen banana
• 300ml milk of choice (almond, coconut or regular milk)
• 6 ice cubes

Variations:

• 2 sprigs of mint (to make this a chocolate mint smoothie!)
• Include 1 tsp maca powder for an extra nutritional boost!
• Substitute the dates for ¼ tsp stevia or 1 tsp raw honey or 1 tsp lucuma powder
• Substitute protein powder for silken tofu, steamed sweet potato or more hemp seeds.
• For a chocolate nutty smoothie, include 1 tbsp almond or cashew butter.

Method:

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blitz until smooth.

Pour into two bowls and decorate.

Topping ideas: 

• Dried fruit: goldenberries, cranberries, apricots, cherries, blueberries.
• Fresh fruit: eg. goldenberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries.
• Nuts: eg. Pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds.
• Seeds: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, ground flaxseed.
• Other: bee pollen, cacao nibs, rice crispies, protein crispies, coconut.

Don’t forget you can find my favourite recipes in my FREE eBook here.