We interrupt regular programming to bring you this delicious smoothie! Please do not adjust your monitors.
Yup, I know our Triple Threat Plan was to review all the amazing US restaurants first (and they’re coming, I promise!) but I just had to bring you this one immediately because just like a Hollywood Diva, it doesn’t want to wait! *stamps foot, storms back to her trailer and slams the door*
Introducing… *drum roll*… The Vegan Sparkles version of The Maca Mint Chocolate Mylkshake from Planet Raw, Santa Monica!
Planet Raw provided our last supper before we headed for the insanely long flight home. I should have been crying but this smoothie was such a sweet, sweet send off, I was all smiles. I fell more blissfully in love with every mouthful and vowed to recreate it as soon as possible when I got home.
Make this for your friends, your family, your kids, your hubby – they’ll never know it’s good for them. Sprinkle with goji berries and serve with a candy cane and it’s even Christmasy! Hallelujah!
The Planet Raw version – ZOMG, SOOOO GOOOOD!!
The Vegan Sparkles version – perhaps not exactly the same but crazy delish enough to get you dancing around the kitchen in your Muscle Beach singlet! You know it, baby!
Makes 2 large smoothies (or 1 very large Vegan Sparkles dinner… *ahem*):
California Vegan - Mint Choc Chip Smoothie
Ingredients
- 350 ml coconut water
- 1 large frozen banana pre-cut into pieces for easier blending
- 4 Medjool dates pitted
- 2/3 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 avocado optional - for extra creaminess, nutrition and colour
- 2 handfuls baby spinach you won't even know it's there, trust me
- 1/3 cup mint leaves firmly packed
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp maca powder optional - I didn't have any in the house last night and it was still good!
- Pinch of sea salt
- A handful of ice cubes
- 3 tbsp raw cacao nibs
Instructions
- Throw all ingredients except the cacao nibs into a high-speed blender and blend on high for a few minutes until smooth, icy and creamy.
- Pour into serving glasses and sprinkle with cacao nibs.
- Drink through glass straws and giggle with delight every time a little cacao nib works its yummy way into your mouth.
Coming up next: our review of Candle 79 – a.k.a. Dealer of the Best Brownies in America! Stay tuned!
Happy, healthy holidays, everyone!
Love, hugs and sparkles,
Bex xx
Yum, your version looks delicious!
Thanks Gabby!
Oh yum! I haven’t had a smoothie since the cold weather hit 2 months ago, but I think I’ll be making an exception for this one.
It’s worth braving a winter ice-cream-headache for, I promise! ๐
I will definitely be making this one on the weekend and yours will be the source of inspiration!
I hope you love it as much as we did, Angie! ๐
This looks so good! I love anything mint chocolate chip.
Me too! I’m crazy for it! ๐
I am going home right now to make a blender full for lunch. Choc and mint, always a perfect match.
Yum! I think I may just do the same today! ๐
A delightfully green smoothy! Your recreation looks really tasty & very cool too!
Thanks Sophie!
made this today — absolutely awesomely good!!
Glad you loved it, Paula! I can’t stop drinking it! ๐
This looks amazing! I want it now!
You’ve gotta try it, Alaine! It’s my new favourite thing in the world! ๐
I love this smoothie! I’d love to feature it on my blog and include a photo with full credit to you. I’m working on a blog post for eco/green recipes for kids for St. Patrick’s Day and this is perfect. Let me know. Thanks!
Oh what a great idea and yes, I’d love to be featured, Tracey! ๐
This sounds wonderful. I love avocados but have yet to try them in a smoothie. It doesn’t seem like they’d go. lol
I know, seems bizarre, right? But trust me – you gotta try it, Lisa! The creaminess is unbeatable! ๐
aaaah this looks delicious :)) x
It’s addictive, Mariana! Handle with care! ๐ x
I have to start using Medjool dates and avocados! I think they’d add such natural creaminess and sweetness. Never thought of adding cashews.. can you taste them?
Oh definitely get into the dates and avocado, Katie! They’re amazing in smoothies. ๐ You can’t taste the cashews at all and if you’re using avocado you can even skip them – or swap them out with your favourite type of nut just to add a little more creaminess.
Blown away! This is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Looks great. Just one question. What are cacao nibs and where can I get them?
Hi Michelle! You can find the cacao nibs in your local, friendly health food store. ๐ You can also use raw cacao powder instead of the nibs – it’s easier work on your blender so I usually use the powder now.
Ohhhh my goodnes!!! This looks and sounds absolutely fabulous!! Thanks for sharing the recipe – I’ll def have to give this a whirl! ๐
My pleasure, Abby. Hopefully you won’t become as addicted to it as I am. ๐