Heart-Healthy Chocolate Smoothie Recipe

If you want to have a healthy heart and good blood circulation throughout your body, you need to regularly supply your body with flavonoids, which are natural nutrients that have antioxidant properties.

Raw, organic chocolate is one of nature's most flavonoid-rich foods. When eaten on its own or with other healthy foods, raw, organic chocolate can help keep your cardiovascular system strong and healthy.

The following heart healthy chocolate smoothie recipe makes for an excellent breakfast or post-workout meal. While it doesn't contain the same amount of caffeine that a cup of Joe does, it provides loads of nutrients that can significantly boost your energy.

Ingredients:

1 cup raw cashews or almonds, soaked for 3-5 hours
7 small dates or 3 large Medjool dates
3 tablespoons raw, organic chocolate powder
4 frozen bananas (slice into small pieces before freezing)

Directions:

Use a Vita-Mix blender or any other strong blender to blend cashews or almonds with one cup of water; blend until cashews or almonds are completely broken down into nut milk.

Add another cup of water, dates, raw chocolate powder, and banana slices to the nut milk in the blender. Blend until ingredients turn into a thick smoothie that resembles ice cream. Pour into tall glasses and enjoy these delicious, heart healthy chocolate smoothies.

Note: For an extra boost of flavor, add a touch of pure vanilla extract or a small piece of vanilla pod before the second blending.

The quantities listed in the ingredients section produce approximately 2 large servings.