Janna Hasbrouck
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About Janna
    • Approach / Training
    • Success Stories
  • WORK WITH ME
  • COFFEE BREAK COACHING
  • EVENTS
  • BLOG
  • CONNECT

My Most Favorite Chocolate Smoothie ...Ever!

4/18/2018

 
Picture
I recently completed a 14 day whole-foods detox as a way to reboot my energy and step back from some habits that weren’t supporting me to feel my best.  It felt so good to do this for myself and unlike some detoxes in the past, where I struggled from beginning to end, this one felt easy and natural.  I realized there are two main factors for this difference. 

The first is mindset.  All the work I’ve done to find peace with food and my body are most noticeable when I challenge myself to a detox and only eat 100% clean food for 2 weeks.  I still remember my first detox where each craving felt like torture and each food I had to give up felt like a sacrifice… a totally exhausting approach to food! Now I have so much more flexibility and range of choice with how I respond to triggers and challenges.  Much more empowering!
​
The second difference is that I take extra care to prepare foods that bring pleasure, are satisfying, and taste delicious.  My favorite smoothie, the "Super Charged Cacao" is one of the best examples of how food can be both healthy and delicious and is why I'm excited to share this recipe with you!

Why this smoothie is a nutritional powerhouse...
| Packed with antioxidants  
The raw cacao, spinach, blueberries, and maca in this smoothie are rich in antioxidants which are essential to protecting our bodies from the damage (think premature aging and illness) caused by free radicals.

| Boosts mood and energy
Raw cacao and maca powder are both great for energy, something I’m always interested in having more of! And as an extra bonus cacao turns on the hormones that help us feel happy while maca has been shown to help support our adrenals, the hormones responsible for our stress response.

| Brain health 
Coconut milk, raw cacao, and maca all play a part in keeping our brains sharp and healthy.  If you want better memory, more clarity, and sharper focus these foods are a great place to start.
​
| Reduces inflammation   
Both spinach and blueberries are known to be top anti-inflammatory foods.  Why is it important to include these in your diet?  As outlined in this article from the Harvard Medical School “Many major diseases that plague us—including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer's—have been linked to chronic inflammation.”   That kind of info always inspires me to up my nutritional game!

| Stabilizes blood sugar
Because it has the magic combo of fat, fiber, and protein (the essential foundation to stable blood sugar) and uses low glycemic fruits you will get sustained energy from this smoothie rather than the roller coaster ups and downs that come from highly processed and sugary foods.

​And just in case all of those ninja nutrients aren’t enough to convince you to add this to your daily routine the flavor will definitely be a selling point. Because seriously… why not start the day with chocolate!

Happy sipping!
​Janna
Super Charged Cacao
Picture
Serves 2+
​

1 cup coconut water or plain filtered water
½-1 cup almond milk
2 Tbs full fat coconut milk
1 scoop protein powder (Garden of Life Raw is the one I use)
1 Tbs raw cacao powder
1 Tbs ground flax meal
1/5 of an avocado
Pure vanilla extract, to taste (I like a lot)
5-8 drops stevia or to taste
1 tsp. maca powder
2-4 oz. baby spinach
1 pear, seeded and sliced
½-3/4 cup blueberries
4-6 ice cubes if you like it cold 

  • Add everything to blender and blend very well.
Notes:
  • Frozen fruit is fine.
  • Any of the ingredients can be adjusted to your taste.
  • If you need it a little sweeter you can add ½-1 banana but note that this will raise the glycemic index.
~~~~~

Does your energy disappear long before the day is over?

3/20/2015

 
If you find that your energy takes a dip in the late afternoon you are not alone!  Low energy is no fun at any point but when there’s still a ton to get done in the day it’s especially unwelcome.  That’s what makes it so easy to succumb to quick fixes like candy, soda, cookies, muffins, and lattes.  And you may have noticed that not too long after your sugary pick-me-up you are crashing again, usually harder than the first time! 

Luckily there is an easy solution: be ready with some high quality, energy sustaining snacks.  In order for your snack to give you the best energy possible, consider these guidelines:

  • Include clean protein such as nuts, seeds, chick peas, and beans.
  • Go with whole grains because the fiber will help to slow down the absorption of glucose.
  • Check that all ingredients are unprocessed.
  • Steer clear of refined carbs and sugars.
  • Avoid anything with artificial ingredients, especially artificial sweeteners!
Here are a few excellent energy bars to keep you going!
Picture
The absolute best option is to make your own at home because you get to use the highest quality ingredients possible. The good news is that most of them freeze very well so you can make a large batch and always have some frozen on hand.  If baking is just not happening for you then I recommend Kind Bars as a great alternative.  There are several with only 5 grams of sugar such as Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond as well as bold flavors like Thai Sweet Chili.

And for a homemade version of Kind Bars this recipe from "The Nourishing Home" for fruit and nut bars looks amazing!!

    Author

    Welcome!  I help people who are ready to live FULL-OUT.  People who are no longer willing to compromise their happiness and are motivated to do what it takes to live a life they love.  Small changes have a huge impact and this blog is about taking one step at a time to create your most amazing life! I look forward to connecting with you soon.
         - Janna

    Archives

    April 2020
    February 2020
    October 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Anti-inflammatory
    Antioxidant
    Beverages
    Chocolate
    Colds And Flu
    Comparison
    Cravings
    Detox
    Energy
    Expectations
    Fraud
    Goals
    Health
    Healthy Food
    Immune
    Inner Peace
    Kale
    New Year
    Recipes
    Release
    Resolutions
    Self Care
    Simplify
    Smoothie
    Snacks
    Stilness
    Stress
    Success
    Suffering
    Summer

Janna
Hasbrouck
HOME  |  ABOUT  |  WORK WITH ME  |  EVENTS  |  BLOG  |  CONNECT

COPYRIGHT © 2014 Janna Hasbrouck