The dog days of summer and frosty drinks just go together. When chocolate is involved, even better.

While I am not actually a big sweet tooth, I have a dear love of ice cream. And, as I near the end of my pregnancy, I find I have to get creative to pull myself away from the clutches of a full-blown ice cream obsession. This is it.

This shake is just a bit sweet, creamy and flavorful. And made with some truly good for you ingredients. Raw cacao, which is the most nutrient-dense form of chocolate, for a healthy glow. Chia seeds provide tummy soothing soluble fibre and anti-inflammatory omega 3 fats. Bio-K+ for my probiotic boost. The 50 billion live beneficial bacteria in each bottle of fresh fermented drinkable probiotic will help increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, fight off less desirable bacteria and support the health of your own natural community of happy bugs. So it’s good and good for you!

I’ll be sipping this anytime I get a chocolate craving, in hopes of keeping myself out of the pint of chocolate ice cream.

Enjoy this shake with chocolate hazelnut milk (nix the maple syrup) as an occasional sweet treat or make it smoothie style with added protein…because you NEVER make a smoothie without energizing protein, right?

Recipe: Aztec Cacao Shake
Serves 1
Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened organic soymilk (or your favourite plant-based milk)                                       1 Bio-K+ bottle (2 vegan options: fermented soy or rice)
1 tbsp raw cacao or cocoa
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 frozen banana, cut into chunks
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp real vanilla extract
a good pinch of ancho chile powder or cayenne…or as much as you dare
a pinch of allspice

Whir in blender until smooth and, if you like, then blend with a handful of ice for an extra frosty treat! Because the chia is in there, sip immediately…unless you like a drink so thick you need a spoon.

Make it an everyday smoothie: Reduce maple syrup to 1 teaspoon and add your favourite protein powder. Chai-flavoured Vega or Chocolate-flavoured Sunwarrior Classic would be good here.