Chocolate for Breakfast?

Chocolate for breakfast? Is that scandalous? Sure, we've all had those sugary cereals, donuts and other chocolaty treats that taste great, but I'm talking about something that's actually good for you…and fast! I'm sure you know that dark chocolate contains heart-healthy anti-oxidants, and it's no secret that it's delicious. The key is minimizing the sugar that also goes along with it.

Quick: what's the first thing you do in the morning? Before you answer, “Brush my teeth,” or “Make coffee,” stop and really think about it for a minute. There might be five things you do before either of those important morning tasks.  For me, getting up and getting out the door is about a 27-step process, and that's without factoring in kids and pets.

Imagine with me now. You’re snug and warm in your bed, visions of sugar plums—or whatever it is you might be dreaming about during those early hours—in your head. Then that obnoxious alarm goes off. Maybe you pop up right away, or maybe you’re more like me and hit the snooze to eke out just a few more minutes of valuable sleep.

As a true product of the technical age, I almost always check my phone right away. What messages did I get in overnight? What’s on my calendar for the day? Did any major news happen?

What next? I hit the bathroom, brush my teeth, make sure everybody’s up, grab my robe, make coffee, take a shower, apply body lotion, drink coffee, do my hair, do my makeup, find wayward earrings, take my vitamins, find my car keys… Each of these steps is a process in itself, and there’s a lot of other stuff that goes on that I do on autopilot. Does this sound familiar?

And, oh yeah, I have to eat something. Sometimes, it’s hard to think about eating first thing in the morning, isn’t it? Not only that, but in the whirl of getting ready, it’s challenging sometimes to find something quick, healthy and delicious.

Do you like chocolate? I sure do, and if I can get it in my breakfast smoothie, I can guarantee my day will be off to a better start!

Rich Chocolate Banana Smoothie

For each serving, dump the following into a blender or VitaMix:

• 3/4 - 1 cup coconut milk, almond milk or coconut-almond milk. Use your favorite brand here. I love Califia Farms Chocolate Coconut Almondmilk. This stuff is sublime.
• ½ banana – use a whole one if you love bananas.
• 1 scoop of high-quality chocolate protein powder
• 1 teaspoon dark cocoa powder. Try Black Onyx Cocoa Powder for a darkly delicious addition!
• Throw in a few ice cubes if you want

Blend on high for 30 seconds, or until the ice is fully crushed. Pour into a shaker cup, and you're ready to hit the road!

Not only does this yummy smoothie deliver around 30 grams of protein, potassium, magnesium, fiber, and heart-healthy anti-oxidants, it also tastes rich, delicious, and LUXURIOUS!

Note that options are built into this recipe to keep it super simple and stress-free. For example, if you don’t have the chocolate almond milk or chocolate protein powder, just add a little more cocoa powder. You can also add some chia or flax seeds or even spinach for extra nutrition. Cut up overripe bananas and freeze them for this smoothie, and then you can forego the ice. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for a spicier flavor and some great benefits!

See what works for you, but also see if you don't actually look forward to drinking this before you head out for your day.

Are your mornings chaotic or organized? How do you get going? Let us know!