Unusually, my articles are quite in depth and deep, but every now and again, I’ll write something more light hearted.
If you are not aware, among my many qualifications, one of those is that I am a trained Raw Food Chef and Instructor. So today, I’ve bought to you one of my favourite smoothies: Super Seed Chocolate Smoothie. 😀
This is one of my go to smoothies and a great excuse to have chocolate first thing in the morning! 🍫
This chocolate smoothie is not only indulgent and delicious but also very filling, and as long as you keep the sweetener low, it will help stabilise your blood sugar levels, so no snacking!
For this recipe, I used my Nutri Bullet so I ground up all the seeds (except the hemp seeds) into a powder as there is nothing worse than a smoothie with bits in! If I was using my high speed blender however, I would have put the seeds in whole.
You’ll note that I didn’t specify how much of each ingredients I used.
How much you is personal and according to taste, but as a rule of thumb, I used approximately 1.5 bananas, a tablespoon of cocoa, 2 teaspoons of honey, then 1-2 teaspoons of each seed. I normally use filtered water for my smoothies.
This smoothie is a packed with nutrients which is why is such a brilliant way to start the day. 🙌🏾
Cocoa
If you are a chocolate lover like me, you be pleased to know that raw cocoa is high in so many nutrients, with the biggest being magnesium. If you crave chocolate before or during your period, chances are its because your magnesium levels are low.
If you have chronic womb issues such as heavy bleeding, fibroids or PCOS, its super important to know what your nutritional status is. Your body is in constant flux, so a supplement regime that ebbs and flows with your body and your cycles is ideal.
Magnesium
These are just a small number of the many benefit of magnesium:
Helps normalise blood pressure. Keeps heart rhythm stable. Supports bones strength. Needed for energy production. Regulates hormones. Regulates blood sugar. Production and transport of energy.
I could go on and on just on magnesium alone…
Hemp Seeds
And I could go on and on about the nutrients in hemp seeds, but I’m going to keep this tight!
Hemp seeds contain a nutrient known as Alpha-Pinene or A Pinene.
Alpha-pinene is a naturally occurring compound found in the oils of many plants, especially coniferous trees like pines. It’s one of the major components of pine resin and contributes to that lovely fresh, piney aroma. This compound has anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator properties, making it helpful for respiratory issues. It's also being studied for its potential to enhance memory and alertness. So, next time you take a walk through a pine forest, take a few deep breaths!
For women who suffer with menstrual pain, the anti-inflammatory properties of hemp seeds are a better and more natural way to alleviate pain whilst avoiding any negative side effects medication may have.
Chia Seeds
Like hemp seeds, chia seeds contain a whole plethora of beneficial nutrients with Omega 3, potassium, iron and zinc being among them. As well as being anti-inflammatory, did you know that chia seeds are a natural disinfectant?
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds like chia and hemp is a powerhouse of nutrients. As well as calcium, copper, beta carotene, fibre, folate and magnesium, pumpkin seeds also contain cryptoxanthin.
Cryptoxanthin is a natural pigment found in lots of fruits and vegetables, It is what gives them their vibrant red, orange, and yellow colours. It’s a type of carotenoid and an antioxidant, which means it helps protect cells from damage. Research shows that cryptoxanthin can strengthen your immune system and might even reduce the risk of certain cancers, so adding pumpkin seeds as well as other fruits and vegetables is both tasty and beneficial!
Flax Seeds
Flax seeds are tiny powerhouses packed with nutrients. They are an excellent source of fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans, which have antioxidant properties. These seeds are great for digestive health, heart health, thanks to its anti-inflammatory benefits.
One interesting compound found in flax seeds is cycloartenol. It's a type of plant sterol, which means it helps in maintaining the integrity of cell membranes. Cycloartenol also has potential cholesterol-lowering effects. Including flax seeds in your diet can boost your intake of these beneficial compounds, making them a great addition to smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods!
So you are not just drinking a chocolate smoothie. You are enjoying a smoothie that will have a beneficial impact not just on your health in general but also your hormones.
Quick Note: Many women with fibroids tend to steer clear of flax seeds due to the phytoestrogens they contain. If you have fibroids flax seeds will only be problematic due to the underlying factors that might mean your body might not tolerate them well – not at least until you have resolved the root cause of fibroids meaning, investigating liver and thyroid function, the health of the gut, checking inflammatory markers, nutrient deficiencies, hormones and how those hormones are being processed in the body.
Right, now for the actual recipe. Here it is:
Super Seed Chocolate Smoothie
Ingredients
Raw cocoa powder
Frozen banana (peeled and chopped before freezing)
Honey or Medjool dates
Hemp seeds
Chia seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Flax seeds
Coconut water or water
Method
Add all the ingredients into a blender and blitz until smooth.
Note: If you use coconut water, you won’t need as much sweetener if at all.
Best served chilled or over ice. Enjoy!
