One of the most popular questions I’ve received over the years is “How can I get my partner to eat healthier?” What I’ve come to realize is that for most people change has to happen from within. Whether it’s a personal struggle they go through or a light bulb moment they experience, many of us have to figure it out for ourselves. Plus, some people are naturally more resistant to change than others and if you push them, they repel in the opposite direction. I don’t believe in pressuring someone to eat a certain way and I don’t think that there is a one size fits all approach for everyone. Leading by example helps (and sharing great-tasting food!), but ultimately if someone is going to make any kind of change in their life it usually has to be internally motivated for it to stick. This has been especially true for my own dietary changes and the shifts I’ve seen in Eric too. I’ve been singing the praises of green smoothies to Eric for 6 years now, but it just took him one moment of internal motivation to get hooked. Go figure. Although in his defense, I think I scared him off with an utterly gross concoction I made for him years ago.
Earlier this year, Eric ditched his morning cereal in an effort to cut down the gluten and processed carbs in his diet as he was suffering from some major brain fog and wanted to experiment with his diet. He now drinks a huge green smoothie every morning and claims he is feeling better. His only problem, he says, is keeping his pants up because he dropped some weight in the process.
This year, we’ve been big fans of adding hulled hemp seeds into our smoothies for a natural protein, fibre, and omega-3 boost. One 3-tablespoon serving has an impressive 2.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, 10 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fibre. It also has oodles of manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc, B6 and more. You can find the huge bags of hulled hemp seed at Costco for a good price. Hemp seeds can be a bit bitter or grassy tasting, so it does take some experimenting to find the right ratio of ingredients in a smoothie (I’ve definitely made some bad ones). Luckily, hemp pairs with chocolate effortlessly so it’s a no-brainer.
I’ve been enjoying my hemp-filled Green Warrior Protein Smoothie for a few months now. When I’m too lazy to prep all the veggies I simply add a couple spoons of hemp seed into my classic green monster recipe. Does the trick! Not long after, I decided to make a chocolate-hemp spin-off. I wanted something that I could enjoy on a hot summer day that would satisfy a craving for something sweet, chocolaty, and cold – while still packing in tons of nutrition. I made this recipe in May and was planning on sharing it during our kitchen reno this August, but recipe development has been a bit slow for me the past couple weeks so I decided to pull it out of the draft folder early. Plus, I just didn’t feel right keeping it from you given how hot and humid the weather has been lately. This smoothie has been my saving grace and has kept me from buying expensive pints of vegan chocolate ice cream more often than not.
Another thing I like about this recipe is that it makes 3 1/2 cups worth. When I’m feeling especially generous, I call this recipe “for two”, but there are definitely times when I chug it back faster than anyone can even see me make it.
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Creamy Chocolate Hemp Smoothie for Two
Yield
3 1/2 cups (2 servings)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Cool down with this creamy, ice-cold, and luxurious chocolate hemp smoothie. Enjoy the boost of protein and omega-3's that the hemp seeds provide while indulging in a lightly sweet chocolaty treat. For a fun twist, try this recipe with homemade almond milk, Coffee Shop Worthy Hazelnut Milk, or even adding homemade coffee ice cubes. This recipe is inspired by my Cheerful Chocolate Smoothie from The Oh She Glows Cookbook.
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk (see note)
- 2-3 pitted large Medjool dates, to taste (I use 2)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons hulled hemp seed
- 1 large peeled and frozen banana
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 large ice cubes
Directions
- Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend until super smooth.
Tip:
1) This recipe yields a fairly thin consistency. If you want a thicker shake-like texture, try reducing the milk to 1.5 cups instead of 2 cups or go wild and add a scoop of your favourite non-dairy ice cream. 2) If your dates are a bit firm or dry, soak them in water for 30-60 minutes before making this smoothie. You can also swap the dates for liquid sweetener if desired. Just reduce the almond milk a bit so it's not too thin.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Shut the front door! I just made this , tossed some cherries in as someone else suggested and I am now losing my mind. Let me just say pure deliciousness just passed my lips. Nice hustle lady! I am making your chocolate pudding later.
And rainforest alliance certified chocolate please. So we’re sure it doesn’t come from slave children labour. :-)
The hubbie would looooooove this… and we love hemp seeds! So nutritious :)
This looks amazing! Is there any thing you could substitute the banana with? Can’t eat it because of an allergy :(
I make it with carob. Tasty. Ah, Vitamix. I have a love/hate relationship with mine. I’ve had it for a long time now and it drives me crazy. For things like shakes it is exceedingly wasteful – the way the container is made its hard to get it out even with a silicone spatula – I like my shakes on the thick side which makes it even worse – I could take a nap while waiting for it all to pour out – and it never does, it just hangs up on the sides.
I’ve been looking for a “shake only” blender and finally settled on the Ninja Pro. All I can say is I should have bought this long ago. It is 900watts and kicks butt. I can put a whole container of frozen fruit in there, a little almond milk and about 4 seconds later it is a sorbet, a couple seconds later, it is a smoothie. It is made like a tank and the containers are really thick. I have the Bullet and was reluctant to get the Ninja because I’ve not been happy with the Bullet. Like night and day. Someone at Ninja was listening. I’m no longer using the Vitamix – I’ve found the Ninja can do everything just as well, and I like the two containers it comes with – perfect sizes for small and large jobs and soooo easy to clean.
YUM!!! Just made this smoothie, and I love it. Thank you so much for another awesome recipe.
Where did you get that straw? It looks awesome! By the way – the smoothie is great, too. We both tried and loved it. :)
I found the straws on Ebay. Type in Mason jar lid straws. You are bound to find several sellers who carry it. Hope this helps.
This is such a great recipe! My favorite thing is smoothies! I am an athlete so I make them daily in all sorts of different ways. I always make my almond and coconut milks they are never store bought do to the not so healthy ingredients in them. Thank you for sharing this one is on my “to make” list.
Great and delicious looking recipe here. Excited to try it and see if it taste as good as it looks. Great website a lot of tons of amazing recipes you have here.
Thanks,
Tony
This was absolutely the best smoothie I have had in a long time. Filled a huge chocolate craving….to die for!
My husband has resisted my attempts to go veg/vegan. Recently, however, he was dx with gout and is currently on the downside of a huge flare up. I’ve seized the moment and am switching us to a veg diet (headed towards vegan). I’ve had your book for a few weeks and am delighted to share your recipes with him. This shake is going to be a staple in our new, healthier household.
I love this! I make this every morning and I have noticed I don’t have the morning ‘brain fog’ I used it. I sub the cocoa powder with cacao powder and skip the majooled dates, but it’s just sweet enough :)
This looks like what I crave each night before bed! I’m buying some nanas tomorrow and jumping on this recipe! Thanks for sharing:)
I love this :)
so satisfyingly delicious
Delicious! Added one tablespoon of chia seeds and a couple of ice cubes. Thickened up like a creamy, dreamy chocolate milkshake (for breakfast!)
Really good! Easy to make & one more thing to do with my hemp seeds & cocoa :-)
Oh dear….can we say addicting??? Love this Angela!!
Does anyone know the calorie count? does angela ever post them? I try to keep up with how much I’m eating and drinking throughout the day
This was DELICIOUS and healthy. The recipe is perfection. You can add 2 bananas to bulk it up. And I sometimes add a tbsp (or two) of peanut butter or almond butter and it is amazing. Btw, always measure level amounts of the hemp seeds and the cocoa powder since adding extra can make it bitter (done that!).