Chocolate Cherry Dessert Smoothie

I have always loved the combination of cherries and chocolate. I was craving something sweet, chocolatey, yet healthy, this afternoon, so I whipped this up. Ooh it's so yummy! All my fruit was frozen which made the smoothie so thick I had to eat it with a spoon (which really made it feel like dessert). 

Do you keep your spinach in the freezer? I have been doing this for years. I buy a big container of fresh spinach and then pop it in the freezer....I love the texture this gives my smoothies. 

Ingredients:

1 cup of plant milk (I used oat, but a creamy almond or soy would also be good)

1 Tbl cacao powder

1 large frozen banana

1 cup frozen cherries

1/2 cup frozen raspberries 

2 handfuls of spinach

1 pitted date

1 Tbl hemp seed, optional

1 Tbl cacoa nibs, for garnish, optional

Directions:

Pour the plant milk in the bottom of a high speed blender. Add the rest of the ingredients through the hemp seed. Blend through at least two cycles to get it creamy (I blended mine three times - I also add three ice cubes). Pour into a glass and sprinkle with raw cocoa nibs, if you like, for some added texture. Enjoy! 

Warming Hot Cacao

This vegan hot cacao is a great alternative to regular hot chocolate. This drink is warming, velvety, and subtly sweet. My friend, Shanna, has been raving about this delicious drink for some time now and I finally tried it for myself. Now I'm hooked! It is the perfect after-dinner treat when I'm craving something chocolatey. 

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cup of plant milk (I use almond or oat milk)

1 heaping Tbl of raw cacao powder

1 Tbl pure maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon

a pinch of salt, optional

Directions: 

Thoroughly whisk all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat OR in a large mug. If using a saucepan, let come to a simmer, remove from heat and ladle into a mug. Alternatively, if using a mug, place the mug in the microwave for one minute. Check to see if it's heated to your liking. If it's not, give it another 30 seconds in the microwave. 

Enjoy!