The Healthier Chocolate “Milkshake”

Chocolate Banana Shake

The Beauty and The Banana

I’ll do anything to get my daughter to eat more fruits and vegetables. It took about 7 years to convince her to eat a banana just the way it is. So I had to come up with creative ways to make the banana invisible. I mixed it in the chocolate “Milkshake” and she loved it! Yey! Every time she is willing to taste something new and she likes it, I mark an imaginary “V” in my mind for yet another Victory for me. I’m sure some of you know what I am talking about 😉  There is no need for convincing here…  This shake is so delicious, healthy and easy to make and If you remember to freeze the bananas beforehand it becomes a frozen dessert no one can refuse!

*If you like, you can replace the almond butter with peanut butter.

Ingredients

2 Organic Ripe Bananas

2 Cups Almond Milk (play with the amount depending on and how smooth you like it)

1 Tbsp. Raw Almond Butter

1 Tbsp. Organic Date Syrup (If you have Dates, even better use 3-4  Medjool Dates)

1 Tbsp. Cacao Powder

1 tsp. Hemp Seeds (They contain complete protein, Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Fiber, this is Good stuff!!)

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Preparation

Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

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Vegan Sesame Halva “Milk”

Halva Sesame Milk

The first time I took a sip of this amazing “milk” was at a Vegan cooking class. The chef teaching was Adam Sobel, the awesome owner of the famous Vegan Food Truck: “The Cinnamon Snail”.

Immediately, it reminded me of the taste of Halva, which is a Mediterranean sesame sweet treat. I think it really should be called liquid Halva. It could be a base for shakes, ice creams and other desserts. So easy to make and you will not believe how good it tastes!

If you’re in New York City go see the Cinnamon Snail, there is nothing like it, they are very friendly and the food is amazing!

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Ingredients

1 Cup Unroasted Sesame Seeds

3 ½ Cups of Cold Water (1 Cup for soaking + 2½ Cups to add later)

5 Tbs. Maple Syrup

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 Tbs Coconut Butter (Oil)

1tsp. Sea Salt

Pinch of Cinnamon for serving (optional)

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Preparation

Soak the sesame seeds in 1 cup water for 30 minutes.

1. Blend The soaked sesame seeds with the water in a high power blender.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend again.

3. Strain through a fine mesh bag like this one. (If you don’t care for smoothness than this step is optional)

Enjoy!

 

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Go Bananas Smoothie

 

IMG_2742My morning smoothie helped me kick my addiction to coffee. I still love coffee but I don’t have to drink it everyday, three times a day. Smoothies are very filling and could be breakfast in itself. My base is always bananas, some kind of dried fruit (dates, apricots, figs) and a bunch of leafy greens (my favorite is arugula but I also use kale or spinach). To that I add hemp seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon, almond butter or whatever I feel like adding that day. Don’t be deceived, it looks like “alien slime” as my daughter calls it…  but is surprisingly yummy.

Makes 3-4 drinks.

Ingredients

3-4 Ripe Bananas (the ones with brown spots)

3-4 Cups Leafy Greens (Arugula, Kale, Spinach or other  lettuce)

3-5 Dates (don’t forget to take the pits out)

½ to 1 tsp Cinnamon (I heard it’s good for suppressing appetite :-))

1 tsp “Superfood” (I add my favorite hemp seeds, chia seeds, or both)

½ Tbsp Nut butter (optional, I like cashew butter)

3 Cups Water or Coconut Water or Almond Milk (more or less, depending on how thick you like it)

Preparation

Blend well in a high-speed blender and Enjoy!

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