Chocolate fudge smoothie! Figure Friendly!

This is amazing and anyone with a chocolate weakness will be satisfied with this delicious smoothie dessert. Everyone that knows me, knows I'm a "Chocoholic"! When I found this recipe on the Dr. Oz website, I thought, this looks like it could be good, my friends............it's amazing!



Now just a little education on the benefits of cocoa. A breakthrough study published by the American College of Cardiology found that daily cocoa flavanol consumption more than doubled the number of circulating angiogenic cells in the blood. These cells have vessel repair and maintenance functions, which contribute to healthy blood vessels, helping to prevent cardiovascular diseases. 
Cocoa is also a good source of magnesium, believed to help relieve premenstrual and nervous tension. And most health professionals agree that it’s also a great source of antioxidants. A diet high in antioxidants kills those nasty free radicals that destroy healthy cells in the body, causing cancer, heart disease and premature aging. Cocoa has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times those found in green tea!! 

While a checkout line chocolate bar won’t do much for your waistline, pure, unadulterated cocoa powder sure will. Research in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that it’s blows other chocolate products out of the water when it comes to antioxidants Plus, cocoa—the low-fat component of the cacao bean—reduces your body’s levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can cause your trouble zones to hoard fat.

This makes me feel so much better about my little addiction!

I used Williams-Sonoma Dutch processed cocoa, however, you can use any "unsweetened cocoa" you have. The monk fruit powder(0 calories) can be found at the grocery store where the other sweeteners are. It has no after taste! I sometimes use it in my tea instead of honey or agave.

Chocolate Fudge smoothie
adapted from Chef Rocco Dispirito


1 1/2 cups cold water
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tbsp fat-free milk powder
5 tbsp instant sugar-free chocolate pudding
12 packets monk fruit powder
6.5 cups ice, crushed or cubed
Directions
Add all ingredients to powerful blender and blend on low for 30 seconds, then on high for 30 seconds. (at this point if you only want one serving, take about 3/4 out of blender, put into a container and refrigerate)

Add half of ice to blender. Start blending on low, then slowly increase speed. Add remaining ice and blend on low, then slowly increase speed. (If making a single serving put 1 1/2 cups into the blender) Serve and enjoy!

4 servings
91 calories each
1.5 grams of fat




This is a shake you won't regret drinking! After your workout is the perfect time for a splurge. According to research in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, chocolate milk’s combination of carbs and protein speed your muscles’ recovery from a tough workout and actually promote muscle protein synthesis.

This slimmed-down version of a classic treat. You can also turn it into a breakfast or meal-replacement smoothie by adding egg-white or whey powder for a kick of protein.

My crazy beautiful family! Go Seahawks!!

Cheers!
JJ