You are looking at a very easy way to incorporate one of the the most overlooked, necessary elements of our diet, greens. Quick, simple and packed with nutrition, green drinks are a quick way to incorporate more raw into your diet. Drink your spinach. I do almost every morning.
Preparing this drink in class is always fun. I love the look on people’s faces, as I toss two huge handfuls of spinach into the vitamix. We are going to drink that? Add a banana, a few dates and some cacao and you have a delicious, very nutritious drink that amazes everyone.
Spinach is very low in calories but packs a nutritional punch. It is a rich source of calcium, iron, and even protein. It’s amino acid score is 119 indicating a good source of complete protein. In fact, spinach is almost half protein!
The addition of Cacao provides more amazing benefits. Cacao is so loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals, and provides many benefits. It is a form of raw chocolate so if you are sensitive to chocolate use in moderation.
Whip this up for breakfast, lunch or when ever you need a bit of a boost. Just don’t tell people what is in it!
Cacao Smoothie Green Drink
2 Large handfuls of Spinach
1 Banana
2 Dates
2 T. Cacao
1/2 to 1 C water
5 ice cubes
Place all ingredients in blender. Add more or less water according to how thick you like it. You can also add chia seeds, maca powder or any other nutritional additions you may like.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent. What a simple (& tasty) way to get our greens. I can actually see myself making this every morning. You have inspired me to get a blender. Yay for smoothies!!
Wow, this sounds wonderful! What a great way to get a chocolate fix!
We love having our green smoothies every morning. Well, after I add blueberries and cherries, it’s usually purple, but the spinach and kale are in there! Will have to try adding some cacao, too!
Susan – I finally made this today – I love it! (and my son even drank some too, though I didn’t tell him there was spinach in it).
I had to guess the amount of chopped dates to put in it (whatever I put seemed fine).
I’ve been doing variations on this for a long time, but your drink is really delicious…..my only comment is better to make it BEFORE the grandkids see what you are putting into the blender !
Do you use cacao powder? I dont want to use the nibs since they’ve got added sugar….
I use powder, but I was not aware that raw cacao nibs have added sugar. The ones I use, don’t…
I’m trying out green smoothies because, unlike green juices, they retain the fiber and are easier to clean up.