This is my healthy version of a mint chocolate chip ice cream flurry. It has a sweet, creamy, vanilla base with a hint of rich chocolate from the cacao nibs. The mint leaves are so refreshing especially in the morning. Together, this is a decadent treat that is loaded with nutrients.
What are cacao nibs?
Cacao nibs are 100 percent pure cacao and said to be the least processed form of chocolate. Cacao nibs are prepared by removing the shell from cured, cleaned, dried, and cracked cacao beans. The result is a hard, crunchy and tiny nib. Each one is unique in shape and fairly jagged. They are a bit larger than a lentil and smaller than a coffee bean. With cacao nibs you are getting more flavanols than overly processed chocolate bars that contain additives such as sugar, cream, milkfat or milk. Although cacao nibs taste intense and slightly bitter (they contain zero sugar) as opposed to sweet, they allow you to enjoy chocolate flavor while providing antioxidants, dietary fiber, protein, iron and magnesium.
Giveaway! (Giveaway Closed as of 5/20/2019 - winner was selected on @eatingbyelaine)
As part of this recipe, I've included an optional smoothie booster ingredient: Barlean's Seriously Delicious Chocolate Mint CBD. Their CBD is third party lab tested and includes a full spectrum of cannabinoids and other micronutrients in a creamy delicious chocolate mint flavor that pairs perfectly with this mint cacao nib smoothie. They emulsified it for superior absorption and bottled it in a BPA and phthalate free bottle. It is completely optional to add to your smoothie but it definitely fits right in and is a great way to incorporate CBD into your day if you are looking to do that. I've partnered with Barlean's on this recipe post and they are offering one lucky winner a bottle of Barlean's Seriously Delicious CBD ($68.48 USD) or Ideal CBD Hemp Oil Extra Strength ($69.99 USD) (U.S. residents only). To enter for your chance to win see this Instagram post.
This recipe is allergy-friendly, vegan, gluten-free, peanut-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free, egg-free and dairy-free.
I hope you love this simple and refreshing recipe as much as I do. If you give it a try, please let me know! Leave a comment below, rate it above, and tag a photo @eatingbyelaine and #eatingbyelaine on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook so I can see your smoothies!
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Mint Cacao Nib Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 1x
Description
This vegan smoothie tastes like dessert but is loaded with nutritious ingredients. You don't taste the frozen riced cauliflower at all but it adds a nice creamy, frosty texture to the smoothie. The fresh mint is incredibly refreshing and reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream when paired with the raw cacao nibs and vanilla.
Ingredients
- 4 Medjool dates, pitted (or 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup)
- ¼ cup raw blanched slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1 large handful of fresh mint leaves + more for garnish if desired
- 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup non-dairy milk (such as almond milk or oat milk)
- 1-2 cups ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs + more for garnish if desired
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Barlean’s Seriously Delicious CBD Chocolate Mint Hemp Oil
Instructions
- In a high speed blender, add all the ingredients except ice and cacao nibs.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add 1 cup of ice and blend again until no ice chunks remain.
- Taste and adjust flavors as need. If a frostier smoothie is desired, add another cup of ice and blend again.
- Add cacao nibs and pulse a couple times to incorporate them throughout. You can keep some whole for texture or process them in fully if you don't want to feel the cacao nib "chips."
- Pour into one or two glasses depending on if this is a meal replacement or a filling snack.
- Serve immediately.
- Garnish with fresh mint and cacao nibs if desired.
Notes
Some people like the slight crunch of the raw cacao nibs throughout the smoothie.
If you want to try this then add the cacao nibs at the end of blending. Pulse the cacao nibs a couple times to distribute them throughout the smoothie evenly. This will break them down slightly but still allow for a slight crunch. If you process them fully that works too but will turn the color of the smoothie more muddy brown.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Category: Smoothie
This post is sponsored by Barlean's. All writing and opinion are my own.
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