Chocolate & avocado smoothie
This is a gorgeous, thick smoothie and really creamy. It’s my favourite breakfast at the moment. I like to make it so thick I can eat it with a spoon but that’s just me. To thin, add more non-dairy milk. Or more avocado to make it even thicker. The stevia drops are important here because otherwise there will not be the slightest hint of sweetness. I love this smoothie because it fits in well with a paleo way of eating, which makes me feel SO much more energetic. This smoothie will keep you going for hours because the good fats keep you fuller longer.
For 1 big eater
200 ml unsweetened additive-free coconut milk (or use 3 tbs full fat coconut milk from can and top up with water)
1 heaped tsp raw cocoa powder, organic if possible
1 tbs whole flax seeds, soaked overnight in half a cup of water (or use 1 dsp cold-milled flax seeds)
1/2 a ripe avocado
2 dsp protein powder (hemp protein or dairy-based Solgar Whey to Go from health stores or Sun Warrior protein powder which is already sweetened with stevia – you might not need more sweetening)
20 drops pure stevia (a non-toxic sweetener)
1/2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon for sprinkling
Throw everything in the liquidiser and blitz till well smooth. The flax seeds will give you some “bits” and texture. If you don’t like this, use finely ground flaxseeds instead. For an extra health boost and flavour, sprinkle with ground Ceylon cinnamon.
Variations:
For a change from chocolate, use 50g raspberries instead. If you are not on a ketogenic diet, you can add even more raspberries if liked. 50g raspberries contain 2.3g of carbohydrate.
You could use erythritol or xylitol to sweeten (not suitable for a very low carb/ketogenic diet)
Why this is good for you
Avocados are a great source of vitamin E and monounsaturated oils. These help dampen inflammation, keep you fuller longer with their healthy fats, and keep your skin young and smooth. Raw organic cocoa is free of chemical contaminants and like, cinnamon, has powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help keep your digestive system well and reduce inflammation. A bit like long-acting paracetamol but without the dangerous side effects. cinnamon also has antioxidant action and also helps balance blood sugar. This is good news if you are diabetic, pre-diabetic, or struggle with energy peaks and slumps throughout the day. Flax seeds, especially when soaked, emit soluble fibre, a type of mucilage that feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut. These bacteria manufacture vitamin K (for healthy bones and wrinkle-free skin), and butyric acid which keeps the lining of your bowel healthy and free of tumours. High quality protein is important at breakfast because it keeps you satisfied and helps weight management. Having enough protein helps you be more resilient to stress, maintain muscle mass, and detoxify chemicals, hormones and waste products we make or take in all the time. Did you know that pure cocoa posder is classified as a spice – it’s packed with antioxidants, as is Ceylon cinnamon. If the packet says “cinnamon” then it’s not the useful Ceylon cinnamon, but cassia cinnamon, which does not have the health benefits and in large amounts over a long period of time, can have negative effects.
