There’s something addictive about blueberries and chocolate. This recipe is like dessert in a glass and eats like a meal. It’s healthy, with good-for-you stuff, too!
I know that the blueberry recipes have been plentiful around here but there’s a few reasons for that. First, they’re a superfood. Can’t go wrong there. And, Costco gets organic frozen blueberries in stock a couple times a year and since I have a deep freeze (and oh, how I love it!) I buy 5 or 8 bags at a time. Once they’re gone, they’re gone and I have no more blueberries until next season.
The last piece is that since Nate has been born I have less time (and less energy) to run to the store whenever I think I need something. I used to be notorious for making a quick run to Sprouts to pick up this or that. It’s only a 5 minute drive from my home. But, now, I look around at what’s on hand and figure out how to make it work.
And, I order from Amazon Mom on a regular basis. Can you say love??
Back to the smoothie….
I bought a bag of natural-flavored Sun Warrior Protein Powder after hearing Maggie and Ricki rave about it on Twitter. At first, I wasn’t crazy about the texture. I found it to be a bit chalky. But, I kept trying different things until I figured out how to make it smooth and delish. After all, this protein powder is made from rice, not whey, so the flavor is neutral. I had to make it work.
The secret is to make the smoothie super-thick – you know, like a smoothie should be.
I added an optional tablespoon of coconut flour. Someone told me to try this (maybe on Facebook??) for added fiber it does add a layer of deliciousness to the smoothie. Yum.
Got a favorite smoothie that eats like a meal?
A protein-packed, plant-powered smoothie that tastes like dessert but eats like a meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 - 1 frozen banana (depending on desired sweetness)
- 1 scoop natural Sun Warrior Raw Protein Powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 - 3 cups packed organic spinach
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water, or as needed
Instructions
- Put ingredients into a Vita-Mix in the order listed, except the water.
- Add just enough water to get the ingredients moving.
- Process until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Alisa
posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Wow, you really pack the spinach in there! Rice protein powder definitely works better when the smoothie is more shake like. I’m going to try the coconut flour – great idea!
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Alta
posted on July 18, 2012 at 8:41 pm
I like Sunwarrior, but lately I’ve been really digging Vega’s Energizing smoothie. It only has 10g of protein, but it also has fiber and lots of other good stuff. And it blends well in my smoothies – the natural has a slight sweetness and vanilla flavor, but not too strong. My favorite way to make my smoothie meal-worthy is to throw some avocado in there! It makes it super-creamy and delicious.
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Amy Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@Alta, Thanks for sharing another tasty alternative.
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Alyssa @ Queen of Quinoa
posted on July 19, 2012 at 7:03 am
Sunwarrior is my favorite!! And you can’t go wrong with chocolate for breakfast
This looks ever so tasty, Amy!!
xo
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Maggie
posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:48 am
Love Sunwarrior! This looks delish Amy, I am a huge fan of blueberries and we’re lucky enough to get wild blueberries in the Summer. They taste like candy
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Christianne
posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Don’t you love Sunwarrior Raw!! I have been using it for the past year AND this means that I can make this smoothie for lunch! OH BOY! Thanks Amy- off to the gym now but have lots of motivation to come home and try this.
And I do the same with the berries- I have six 2 lb containers in the freezer and yes, alas, when they are gone they are gone!
Great tip about the coconut flour too.
You ‘ve done it again! Big hugs to you and Nate…
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Amy Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Christianne, Yes, LOVE is a good word. I hope you had a fabulous workout!
Hugs to you too, my friend!!
xoxoxo
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Evie
posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:17 pm
I love your recipes! I, however, deal with a pea, sesame, coconut, oat allergy on top of the basics (dairy/wheat/eggs/nuts)with my child. I don’t know if there are any exceptional alternatives to coconut and peas for protein powders or even as substitutes…but if you know of or anyone has a suggestion, I’d love some ideas! Thanks!
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Dori Reply:
July 19th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@Evie, I read (somewhere) that Now brand beef gelatin had 12 grams of protein in a serving and you can get a big (5#) bag on Amazon for 30 bucks! Supposed to mix well with hot or cold. Think I am going to try it, as I don’t much care for protein powders and have wasted waaaaaaay to much $ on ones I didn’t like!
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Amy Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@Evie, The protein powder I use is a rice base, not a pea base. And, you can leave the coconut flour out. Just toss in a couple extra ice cubes to add a little more thickness.
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Laura
posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:47 pm
This smoothie looks decadent, yet uber healthy for you! I love the addition of cocoa powder and coconut flour to the smoothie Amy.
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Amy Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@Laura, Thanks, Laura! The coconut flour really thickens it up so it’s extra smooth.
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Glenn Weissel
posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:00 pm
My wife and I recently switched to vegan protein powder and have been experimenting with a variety of base protein (rice, pea, soy). My wife and I found LifeTime “Life’s Basics” Plant Protein Powder that includes pea, hemp, rice and chia seed, and lots of greens including spirulina which we have been consuming for years. So far, so good! We mix with coconut milk, frozen organic blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and banana. Mixes very well and not too chalky.
I love seeing your recipes here and will be giving them a whirl soon!
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Amy Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@Glenn Weissel, The blends sound great. Love your smoothie flavors!
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Vicky
posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:24 pm
This seriously sounds like a powerhouse of vitamins and nutrients! I’ve got to try making this!
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Amy Reply:
August 9th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
@Vicky, I know – and it tastes great. Best of both worlds, huh?
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yolanda
posted on September 9, 2012 at 2:39 pm
hi amy, what is the calories for blueberry chocolate green protein smoothie, it looks like something i would like to try
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