Chocolate Shake (or Frappuccino)

Here is a treat that’s good for your health. A real food, chocolate shake that’s made using whole, plant-based ingredients, and no refined sugars. Just last week in Podcast Episode 27, Patryce and I were talking about ways to create a healthy relationship with food, and during the podcast, I started the discussion about how to create a healthy shake.

Here is what I came up with after looking around online a bit. I found that many recipes use Dandy Blend Herbal Tea mix in many frappuccino-like drinks that usually contain coffee. And guess what? I just happen to have some on-hand.

I used to make an icecream/coffee drink way before I ever became aware of Star Bucks. Yet, by the time I because aware, I was no longer consuming what they put into their drinks. I have to admit, that I’ve never been a Star Bucks fan (too much dairy and sugar and coffee – coffee makes me very nervous/shaky).

But hey, here is one “shake” that I can handle. Since I couldn’t decide between the flavor of coffee or chocolate, I decided to have them both. But, of course, you can make this your own by choosing one or the other if you prefer.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of plant-based milk
• 1/4 cup rolled oats (Added this particular ingredient because of Chef AJ)
• 1/2 tsp of flax seeds & 1/2 tsp of chia seeds (or 1 tsp of either)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3-5 drops of Stevia (vanilla flavor) or 1 tsp vanilla powder
• 1 TBS Dandy Blend Herbal Tea
• 1 TBS Cacao Powder (or 100% Cocoa Powder)
• 2 – 3 Mejool dates (or 5/6 Deglet dates)
• 2 frozen, ripe bananas
• 1 cup of ice (optional, makes more like a frappuccino)

Directions:

1. First, I like to blend everything together except for the bananas and ice.
2. Then once thoroughly blended and smooth, I add the frozen bananas and ice.

Notes:

1. Using coconut milk/cream will add more calories and fat to this recipe and create a very “rich” shake
2. The flax seeds and chia seeds add fiber and omega 3s
3. You can also simply use 2 TB Dandy Blend Herbal Tea or 2 TBS Cacao Powder
4. Medjool dates have a caramel flavor which I don’t think the deglet date has, but usually, they are a bit smaller so I suggest using a bit extra Deglet dates if those are what you have on-hand.
5. Instead of using ice, you can freeze some of the plant-based milk in ice cube trays for a bit “stronger” flavored drink.
6. Uncle Bill D, You can add greens to this shake too. A handful of spinach will be undetectable. (Smile.)

ENJOY! — Shonda