by Chef Carla Contreras

Attention chocolate lovers: This smoothie was made for you! When I want chocolate, I want it to be rich and decadent — who doesn't? Adding extra cacao or cocoa powder gives this smoothie that added boost. You'll also get 15 grams of protein from the EVOLUTION_18 Energizing Chocolate powder.

This also makes delicious popsicles that my kids love eating for breakfast. Just freeze in a mold and you're good to go!

Ingredients:

• 1 to 1 1/2 cups preferred plant-based milk
• 2 tbsp EVOLUTION_18 Energizing Chocolate
• 2 tbsp cacao powder or cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp flax seeds, ground
• 1 banana, frozen
• 1 cup greens, packed like spinach or kale

DIRECTIONS:

Blend in a high-speed blender. Start on low for 15 seconds, and then blend on high for 30 seconds or until smooth. If you want a thicker smoothie, add less milk. If you don’t have a high-speed blender, let the banana defrost five to 10 minutes or add a fresh banana and one to two ice cubes.

Chef Carla Contreras is the founder of the online cooking school Cook+Chop. She competed on season 12 of Chopped! on Food Network. She is Nutritious Life Certified, a Certified Holistic Health Coach, a food stylist, and photographer with a stacked culinary resume.