Chocolate Ginger Smoothie Bowl

Alright, beauties. This recipe is my favorite recipe of all time. Yep, I said that.

This smoothie bowl has been so frequently requested! I finally perfected a recipe that I know everyone will love. It is very close to my my anti-inflammatory smoothie that I ate every day as I was healing from my car accident, and I still eat it to this day. My body feels so good when I incorporate this into my diet regularly, so this chocolate ginger smoothie bowl is something that I eat at least 4-5 times per week!

Ginger Nutrition:

Ginger is most definitely one of my favorite root veggies. Ginger is indeed a vegetable, although is often ground and used as a spice. Ginger is known to help with nausea and vomiting (anti-emetic) in multiple populations, to enhance digestive function by accelerating the rate at which we empty food, and it also has the power to help with glucose control and insulin sensitivity. This is due to its active component gingerol. Gingerol has also been shown to help with osteoarthritis symptoms due to the anti-inflammatory effect of a reduction in inflammatory cytokines. Ginger has also been shown to reduce C-reactive protein (an inflammatory blood biomarker), triglycerides blood levels, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Interestingly too, one study reported that ginger helped with fight off respiratory infections.

Cacao Nutrition:

Cacao powder is also a favorite of mine (I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate?!) and is something that I eat almost every day if not every day! Raw cacao powder is a very concentrated source of cacao and does contain caffeine, so I try to consume cacao powder earlier in the day. Cacao also contains theobromine, which has a mild stimulating effect by increasing the heart rate. Adding into my lunch time smoothie is what I have been doing for years and I’m still not tired of it!

Cacao contains so many phenolic compounds (polyphenols), more so than green tea, which have very high antioxidant properties. This high concentration of polyphenols is what makes raw chocolate so bitter, similar to red wine or green tea. The two main polyphenols in cacao are called epicatechin and proanthocyanins, which help to scavenge inflammatory free radicals in the body and neutralize them, preventing aging and diseases. Cacao also has neuroprotective effect that can enhance focus and cognitive function, as well as improve mood. It also can improve acute insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, improves blood pressure, and increase nitric oxide in the body, which is critical for cardiovascular protection.

The Perfect Blend:

Cacao powder by itself can be bitter, but with the spice of the ginger, the sweetness of the fruit, the creaminess of the avocado, and the fattiness and crunch of the smoothie toppings, it is perfection in a bowl. The cacao is strong and it hides other flavors, including the pinch turmeric and black pepper that I add in even more anti-inflammatory properties. You can’t even tell there are greens in this smoothie, as well as a ton of fiber! I made this for my best friend who is currently staying with me this week, and we talked about how filling smoothies are, but you don’t feel bloated after eating them. Instead of having to break down the food by chewing it in the mouth, the blender does the work for you, making it easily digestible and such an easy way to get in nutrients.

Toppings such as walnuts, hemp seeds, and chestnuts add a variety of textures to the bowl, as well as plenty of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids from plant based sources. Adding things onto your smoothie in a bowl allows you to be able to bite into something instead of just drinking a smoothie, which leads to a more higher satiety levels and overall more full and satisfied feeling!

Serves: 2 medium bowls

Time to prepare: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 frozen banana

• 1 cup frozen blueberries or strawberries

• 1/2 fresh avocado

• 1 cup fresh spinach

• 4 tablespoons non-alkalized cacao powder (I love Navitas)

• 4-5 thin slices fresh ginger (you can use ginger powder, using about 2 teaspoons)

• 1 tablespoon fresh flaxseed

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1.5 cups of plant-based milk or filtered water

• Toppings:

  • Hemp Hearts

  • Chestnuts

  • Pumpkin seeds

  • Granola

  • Walnuts

  • 1 piece of Hu Chocolate (I love and trust Hu’s ingredients and mission!) Here is a great podcast about the founder of the company.

  • 1 tablespoon no-oil added almond butter

Recipe:

• Add all ingredients into a high powered blender and blend until smooth (approximately five minutes or so, increasing the power slowly).

• Top with toppings and be creative!

• Before you eat, sit down with your meal and be grateful for the nutrients you are providing to your body. This preparation is an act of self care, and it is such a beautiful way to honor your mind and your body. 🧡

Xx, B