Spiced Cacao Maca Shake

It's dark and stormy as I sit down to write this post and I'm remembering that last week when I tried to photograph it, the weather was very similar. The rain is always a good reminder that you can't control everything and make it go exactly as you planned. I had to put off shooting this post for a few days last week because there wasn't enough sunlight. I guess that was mama nature's way of telling me to pay attention and that she was running the show. At this moment the thunder is rumbling off in the distance and since it's cool enough for my windows to be open, I can hear the distinct plit-plot sound of rain drops hitting leaves. It's a soothing sound that will most likely leave me renewed and inspired by the time it leaves. And maybe, just maybe, the coolness the clouds bring will linger long enough to make it pleasant out.

So lets get to this shake! I just realized that the title of this post looks like some crazy new dance move, but if you know me, then you'll know I'm referring to a frosty beverage. Maybe one of you dance savvy people can come up with the moves to go along with the title because anything I come up with would be best kept behind closed doors, haha!

Summer is still raging on and though I've been itching to use my oven again and start making pumpkin everything, I'll spare you from that until September. Since having an amazing vegan chai coconut milkshake at Fat Cat Creamery a few weeks ago I haven't been able to get it off my mind. In the way that a lot of my blog posts get created, this spawned a rabbit trail of thoughts that started at milkshake and ended up at 'raw spiced chocolate shake thingy'. I wanted to essentially make a really thick smoothie that mimicked a shake but was healthier and had some good stuff like maca and cacao nibs thrown in the mix. It wasn't until I was making it that I decided to toss in a handful of raspberries to temper the sweetness from the bananas and it ended up being one of the best decisions I've made in a while. I love it when spontaneity leads to greatness.

Ingredients of note:

M A C A -- This high-altitude growing plant (and root) is a superfood that both nourishes and balances the body. Maca helps stabilize the hormonal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems as well as providing a natural source of sustainable energy without being a stimulant. In terms of flavor maca has a malty and slightly sweet taste.

C A C A O -- Rich in fiber one of the highest sources of magnesium, cacao is the purest form of what we call chocolate. In it's raw form, cacao contains a good amount of theobromine (along with other phytochemicals, antioxidants, & amino acids) which mimics a caffeine buzz but without the crash. Cacao powder and cacao nibs have a deep chocolate flavor with notes of fruitiness and coffee.

W A L N U T S -- This lovely nut is high in omega-3 essential fatty acids. Our bodies cannot make omega-3's so we have to get them from other sources. Omega-3's aid in reducing cholesterol, boosting the immune system, controlling viral infections, and improving brain function among other things. Soaking walnuts (as you'll see below) allows them to release their phytic acid and make their nutrients more bio-available as well as making them more digestible in the body.

Spiced Cacao Maca Shake
notes: having a high speed blender is key to getting a nice, smooth consistency and in this case it will completely break up and incorporate the cacao nibs and walnuts into the shake. The optional cacao powder will give the shake a deeper chocolate flavor (and color) so it's completely up to you. You'll notice I've included soaked walnuts below. Simply put them in a bowl, cover with water, and let them soak for at least 6 hours. When you're ready to use them, drain and rinse!

2 frozen bananas
small handful of frozen raspberries
large handful of soaked walnuts
1 tbsp cacao nibs
1 tbsp cacao powder (optional)

1 tsp maca powder
small pinch of sea salt
1/4 tsp each of ground cardamom and ground ginger
3/4 cup coconut milk or almond milk, plus more if needed to thin out the shake

Combine everything in your blender, then blend away until you have a nice, thick, consistency. Makes one 16-ounce shake :)