Who loves peanut butter and chocolate? We do! Just imagine deep cacao notes mixed with nutty peanut butter and butterscotch-tasting maca. Then to top it all, some fragrant coconut flakes, tart yet sweet cacao-coated goldenberries, crunchy cacao nibs, nuts and granola.

Why eat cacao?

Cacao is rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from cell damage and disease. It is also rich in iron (the highest plant-based source!) so helps prevent anaemia and associated tiredness.

It is also high in magnesium and so good for a healthy heart and cognition and is a natural mood elevatorndue to containing four mood-enhancing chemicals: serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamine.

Why eat maca?

This ancient Incan superfood is crammed with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytonutrients, making it a nutritional dynamo.

It helps increases the body’s resistance to the damaging effects of stress and disease. It helps to regulate, support and balance hormonal systems and so is good to balance mood (including stress, anxiety and depression, menstrual issues) and to boost energy levels. It is reputed to good for sexual health, improving libido and fertility in both men and women. It also helps give you radiant glowing skin.

So back to the recipe! This peanut butter bowl is chocolatey enough to satisfy the biggest of chocolate cravings and is perfect as a post-work out re-fuel bowl. By adding in oats, it makes it super filling too!

To add to the nutritional content, I have added chia seeds, maca, and optional protein powder.

Makes: 400ml

Preparation time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 tbsp. peanut butter (or nut or seed butter of choice)
• 2 tbsp. cacao powder
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds
• 240ml plant milk or coconut water (sometimes I make this with half plant milk and half coconut water)
• 2 tsp. maca powder
• 30g rolled oats (gluten free if required)
• Optional: 2.5 tbsp. protein powder, 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

To decorate:

• Peanut butter (or nut butter of choice, to swirl)
• Coconut flakes
• Jumbo raisins
• Cacao-coated goldenberries
• Nuts like hazelnuts and almonds
• Granola
• Cacao nibs

Method:

Place all smoothie ingredients in a blender and whizz to combine. Pour into a bowl(s) and decorate with a peanut butter swirl and with toppings of choice.

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