Healthy Cherry Chocolate Black Forest Smoothie

I am a total smoothie girl. Literally, I have one every day, and I used to have two. And while some people may switch up their smoothies on a daily or weekly basis, alternating from blueberry smoothies to banana smoothies to strawberry smoothies, I tend to stick with one fruit for weeks, months, oh maybe even years at a time.

For the longest time, it was frozen mixed berries. Every day I would alternate between adding peanut butter or cocoa powder to make a Chocolate Mixed Berry Smoothie or what I called my Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie.

Since it is based on a classic cake, a Black Forest Smoothie seems like a special treat with its chocolate and cherry flavors and creamy texture. This means the kids will think you are a super-mom for basically giving them what tastes like dessert first thing in the morning.

But really it’s packed with nutritious ingredients. Cherries, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for protein, and yes, you can even blend in those ubiquitous dark, leafy greens. And chocolate. I mean, we are talking antioxidants here. And it’s just a tablespoon of cocoa powder. With only ten calories for a burst of chocolaty deliciousness, it’s a great way to up the indulgence factor while still keeping it light and good-for-you! 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened Almondmilk or Cashewmilk or regular dariy milk
• 1 cup baby spinach or other dark, leafy greens (optional)
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup frozen cherries
• several ice cubes (add more ice for a thicker, shake-like consistency and less for a thinner consistency)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
• 1 pinch salt
• Honey, sugar, stevia, or other sweetener, to taste, if needed
• cherries, cacao nibs, mini chocolate chips, or whipped cream for garnish, if desired