What if I told you that chocolate was the healthiest food in the world? Would you believe me? Because it’s true. It has iron, magnesium, copper, a ton of antioxidants, and even fiber. BUT… when I say chocolate I mean real, unprocessed, raw cacao. SAD (Standard American Diet) chocolate like what you would find in processed chocolate bars is stripped of a lot of its nutrients. And, studies have shown that when dairy is added to chocolate, it actually destroys the healthy compounds. Interesting, right?? SO many reasons to avoid dairy.
Random chocolate fact: Ancient Mayans used it as currency. So money did actually grow on trees.
This recipe uses a Young Thai Coconut. I LOOOOVE THEM. I used to buy them by the case when I would eat 100% raw vegan. Now that they have become much pricier, and my focus is on purchasing more local food, young coconuts are more of a treat for me these days. They can be purchased at most grocery stores, and often times can be found at a cheaper price at Asian supermarkets.
If opening coconuts intimidates you, check out some YouTube videos on how to open Young Thai Coconuts. Once you get the hang of it, it’s really easy. You will need a large chef’s or butcher knife. Shave off the top husk of the coconut. With the edge of the knife, start knocking a circle around the top of the coconut. The ‘circle door’ will weaken, and you can just lift the door and VOILA. The water inside the coconut will be the tastiest coconut water you will ever have! As for the meat, it’s an acquired taste. The soft texture isn’t for everyone, but I love it! It’s great in desserts or blended to make a coconut milk. Just use a spoon to scoop it out.
And as for the health benefits of coconut, it is also considered one of the healthiest foods in the world! Some third world countries use it as IV in hospitals because it is so similar to human blood plasma. And some professional athletes swear by coconut water to replenish lost electrolytes.
So, here is my recipe for my Dark Chocolate Smoothie. This will, for sure, satisfy your cravings for chocolate. It makes for a great pre-workout/post-workout drink or afternoon pick-me-up snack! This smoothie is:
- decadent
- rich
- easy
- healthy
- creamy
- satisfying
Dark Chocolate Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 young thai coconut
- 1 banana
- 3 tbsp cacao powder
- 2 tbsp hempseeds
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
Instructions
- Open young thai coconut. Contents should yield approximately 1.5 cups coconut water and 1/2 cup coconut meat.
- Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
- Option: blend with ice cubes for a more refreshing summer, frosty smoothie.