Cacao, Banana, and Date Smoothie

Smoothies are a great way to start the day because they are filling, delicious, and with the right ingredients, quite healthy. The mornings can be very busy and hectic, so there isn’t much time to plan or think about a well-balanced breakfast. However, it takes very little time to whip up a satisfying smoothie that will hold you over until lunchtime.

Not only is this smoothie recipe great for breakfast, it also cures a sneaky, afternoon sweet tooth rather than chomping down a candy bar. The combination of cacao, banana, dates, and almond milk makes for the ultimate sweet, creamy, velvety drink. Not to mention, the hotter temperatures will be here before we know it, so this delightful beverage will be just as refreshing as it is indulging. Be sure to drink slowly because you’ll want to savor every delicious sip!

Ingredients:

2 tsp cacao
1 small ripe banana
4 medjool dates, pitted
1 cup almond milk
1 tsp honey
1 tsp almond butter
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup ice cubes

Preparation:

*Be sure the pits have been removed from each date.* Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour, sip, enjoy!

Recipe by Chef Jill McCoy | saltandpepper2taste.com