What I love most about this frosty chocolate shake is that it’s exclusively sweetened with fruit, and has a slushy texture reminiscent of an authentic milkshake. The key to this texture is using frozen banana, which is notorious for its ice-cream like qualities, and adding very little liquid, to keep the mixture nice and thick. Paired with cinnamon, which is thought to help balance blood sugar, and nutrient-rich hemp hearts, this shake packs over 10 grams of protein per serving, and will keep you satisfied far longer than a traditional milkshake! For an even healthier spin, try adding a handful or two of fresh spinach to the mix. It adds a slightly green tint to this shake, but doesn’t affect its rich chocolate flavor. The next time you need a post-workout snack, or just a tasty chocolate treat, I hope you give this shake a shot! — Chocolate Banana Protein Shake (Vegan, Nut-free) Serves 1 Ingredients: 1 frozen banana* 3 tablespoons hemp hearts 1/2 cup water 1 1/2 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free, if desired) 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3-4 ice cubes (optional) 2 handfuls fresh spinach (optional) *Tip: Be sure to peel your bananas before freezing! If you have a high-speed blender, like the Vitamix, you can leave the banana whole, but otherwise, I recommend slicing the banana into small coins before freezing, for easier and more uniform blending. Directions: Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until thick and smooth. Adjust any flavors to taste, as desired, and serve immediately!
Enjoy! — Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite shake combination?
