Hey guys! Hope your week has started off on a great note. I know Mondays tend to get a rep but I’m personally a big fan. To me, the first day of the week signifies a clean slate and I feel like my optimism and motivation for the week ahead is at its peak…even despite the 6am wake up call! As always my Monday kicked off with a lower body which is strategically scheduled i.e. get the most brutal workout of the week out of the week ASAP ;)! As I was craving something cold & creamy after, I swapped my bowl of oatmeal for another breakfast fave of late: Salted Chocolate Protein Smoothie.
For real guys, you read right! This breakfast is ridiculously on point- so thick, creamy, chocolate-y and filling i.e. what every smoothie needs to be. The 2 game-changers? Frozen banana slices instead of ice and chia gel.
Fortunately this smoothie also packs in quite a punch nutritionally:
- Fiber: Banana slices
- Complex carbs: Raw oats
- Anti-inflammatory healthy fats: Chia seeds
- Protein: Chocolate protein powder
- Deliciousness: Unsweetened cocoa powder & salt
In case you have any dietary restrictions, this smoothie is both vegan & gluten-free.
Gah the ‘salt & chocolate’ combo is such a weakness for me- it gets me every time!
Salted Chocolate Protein Smoothie – Serves 1
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 4 tablespoons water
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 medium ripe banana, sliced & frozen*
- ¼ cup raw oats**
- 1 scoop protein powder***
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Method
- Add the chia seeds and water to a small mixing bowl and stir until all seeds have been soaked. Place the bowl in the refrigerator.
- Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients to a high-speed blender. Whizz until smooth.
- The chia seeds should have absorbed most of the water, forming a gel-like consistency. Add the chia mixture to the blender and whizz again until well-combined.
Notes
*Be sure to peel your banana before freezing
**To ensure it’s 100% gluten-free, please use gluten-free oats.
***I use Chocolate Sunwarrior Classic Brown Rice Protein Powder
I’m keeping this post brief as work beckons but in the meanwhile, I shall leave you with my latest article on Huffington Post: How To Succeed In Your Quest For The Perfect Diet. In a world where contradictory diet approaches like veganism & paleo co-exist, it’s impossible to deem either as superior. Both can produce exceptional results, and essentially those results depend on the individual who is following it. What might work amazingly for one person may leave another person feeling bloated and lethargic. Although this influx of dietary advice can be quite overwhelming, they’re a great starting point for establishing the perfect diet for YOU. My biggest tip is to educate yourself about different dietary approaches and then experiment. There are no rules when it comes to eating, just guidelines that may or may not work for you. Based on how your body responds, tailor your diet accordingly. Most likely your perfect diet will end up being a hybrid of various diet approaches. I hope you guys enjoy reading the article as much as I enjoyed writing it! I’d love to hear your thoughts on what a perfect diet looks like for you!
Finish this sentence: Chocolate pairs best with _________!
What does a ‘perfect diet’ currently look like for you?
Ooh yes this sounds like my ideal smoothie! Chocolate and banana is the ultimate combo.
Agreed…although a bit of nut butter added to the mix doesn’t hurt ;)!
I love a good chocolate smoothie. I tend to toss some peanut butter or coconut in mine for just a little bit more fun.
A girl of my own heart ;)!
That smoothie sounds delicious and I agree, the salt / chocolate Combo is a winner – I love to add caramel too, yumm!
Mmm the caramel definitely helps to tie the flavours together!