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!!

 

Planet Raw Mint Choc Chip Mylkshake

 

 

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!

 

Vegan Mint Choc Chip Smoothie

 

 

Makes 2 large smoothies (or 1 very large Vegan Sparkles dinner… *ahem*):

 

California Vegan - Mint Choc Chip Smoothie

Rebecca Weller - Vegan Sparkles
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 -2

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
 

33 Comments on California Vegan – Mint Choc Chip Smoothie

  1. Katie (A Fork in Hand)
    December 14, 2012 at 10:10 pm (11 years ago)

    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.

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      December 24, 2012 at 11:56 am (11 years ago)

      It’s worth braving a winter ice-cream-headache for, I promise! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Angie
    December 14, 2012 at 11:52 pm (11 years ago)

    I will definitely be making this one on the weekend and yours will be the source of inspiration!

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      December 19, 2012 at 3:02 pm (11 years ago)

      I hope you love it as much as we did, Angie! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Noreen
    December 14, 2012 at 11:59 pm (11 years ago)

    This looks so good! I love anything mint chocolate chip.

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      December 24, 2012 at 11:55 am (11 years ago)

      Me too! I’m crazy for it! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Sally May Mills
    December 16, 2012 at 12:11 pm (11 years ago)

    I am going home right now to make a blender full for lunch. Choc and mint, always a perfect match.

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      December 24, 2012 at 11:54 am (11 years ago)

      Yum! I think I may just do the same today! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Sophie
    December 19, 2012 at 10:03 pm (11 years ago)

    A delightfully green smoothy! Your recreation looks really tasty & very cool too!

  6. Paula
    December 20, 2012 at 6:41 am (11 years ago)

    made this today — absolutely awesomely good!!

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      December 20, 2012 at 2:49 pm (11 years ago)

      Glad you loved it, Paula! I can’t stop drinking it! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      December 24, 2012 at 11:57 am (11 years ago)

      You’ve gotta try it, Alaine! It’s my new favourite thing in the world! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Tracey @ Dont Mess with Mama
    March 5, 2013 at 3:52 am (11 years ago)

    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!

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      March 5, 2013 at 10:23 am (11 years ago)

      Oh what a great idea and yes, I’d love to be featured, Tracey! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Lisa Magoulas
    April 16, 2013 at 12:16 am (11 years ago)

    This sounds wonderful. I love avocados but have yet to try them in a smoothie. It doesn’t seem like they’d go. lol

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      April 17, 2013 at 7:58 pm (11 years ago)

      I know, seems bizarre, right? But trust me – you gotta try it, Lisa! The creaminess is unbeatable! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Mariana Lopes
    April 28, 2013 at 8:28 am (11 years ago)

    aaaah this looks delicious :)) x

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      April 29, 2013 at 5:09 pm (11 years ago)

      It’s addictive, Mariana! Handle with care! ๐Ÿ˜‰ x

  10. Katie
    August 9, 2013 at 11:00 am (11 years ago)

    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?

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      August 10, 2013 at 5:43 pm (11 years ago)

      Oh definitely get into the dates and avocado, Katie! They’re amazing in smoothies. ๐Ÿ™‚ 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.

  11. Beth
    August 29, 2013 at 3:07 am (11 years ago)

    Blown away! This is amazing! Thanks for sharing!

  12. Michelle Connell
    November 18, 2013 at 4:14 pm (10 years ago)

    Looks great. Just one question. What are cacao nibs and where can I get them?

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      November 20, 2013 at 8:33 am (10 years ago)

      Hi Michelle! You can find the cacao nibs in your local, friendly health food store. ๐Ÿ™‚ 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.

  13. Abby
    February 12, 2014 at 8:57 pm (10 years ago)

    Ohhhh my goodnes!!! This looks and sounds absolutely fabulous!! Thanks for sharing the recipe – I’ll def have to give this a whirl! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      February 12, 2014 at 9:08 pm (10 years ago)

      My pleasure, Abby. Hopefully you won’t become as addicted to it as I am. ๐Ÿ™‚

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