Go into any grocery store this time of year and you’ll see fresh cherries which are perfect to use in this tasty Cherry Chocolate Smoothie.
I’ve had amazing cherries from the farmer’s market and most times store-bought are deliciously sweet and succulent, too! They’re mighty good for you too having anti-inflammatory properties and other effects, as well.
Get a better night’s sleep, lower your blood pressure, increase memory are just a few of the good things cherries may do for you. So, of course, this vegan chocolate smoothie is a must-have on my weekly meal plan.
I’ve been eating cherries all year long because I find them frozen and organic even. It’s been great to have them available to add to my plant-based smoothies all year.
We also have some great additions to this vegan smoothie such as flaxseed, which is rich in antioxidants and fiber. Also, leafy greens, which carry many benefits which you should read about in my articles Get Your Leafy Greens On Part 1 and Part II.
Are you a Smoothie Lover, too? Try these other Fan-Favorite recipes:
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
- Mint Chocolate Smoothie
- Green Berry Smoothie (video)
- Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream
Cacao Nibs
Cacao is high in antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and flavonoids, and may even improve artery function.
Cacao was reviewed by Consumer Labs in 2014 and some of the powers were found to have cadmium so I stopped using the powders as much. The Consumer Labs article is quite long but very informative if you want to dive deeper.
The nibs, however, were lower in cadmium and other heavy metals.
This brand, Navitas Natural Cacao Nibs, (affiliate link) was one of the better ones.
You only use a scant tablespoon in a smoothie, so enjoy a few chocolate nibs here and there for a boost to your health and enjoyment.
Breakfast or Dessert
To make this recipe, add 2 cups of fresh or frozen cherries to your high-powered blender. Follow by adding your other ingredients: oats, ground flaxseed, hemp or chia seeds, green leaves, cacao nibs, water, and pomegranate juice.
Blend on high speed and thin with water if needed. You could also opt for non-dairy milk if you’d like.
I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below for this Cherry Chocolate Smoothie! If you have a photo, post it on my Facebook page, tag me using the hashtag #plantbasedcooking
Cherry Chocolate Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen or fresh cherries
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
- 2 tbsp hemp or chia seeds
- 4-5 leaves romaine lettuce or other greens
- 2 tbsp cacao nibs
- 1 1/2 cup water or more
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice (optional) sugar and additive-free
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into a high-powered blender.
- Blend on high until smooth adding more water to thin if necessary.
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