Nutritious Chocolate Coconut Drink

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nutritious chocolate-coconut drinkOne day soon I will write a post about the health benefits of coconut!  In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy this little recipe.  It is one our family's favorite healthy drinks. Thick like a milkshake, this beverage truly satisfies.

The basic recipe contains coconut milk, bananas, cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla. It is sweet, but not too sweet.  Creamy, cold and chocolatey, it's perfect for a summer afternoon.

The ingredient amounts may vary to suit your tastes, and the liquid portion is adaptable to whatever you have on hand.

Originally made with half kefir and half coconut milk, I have also used  milk and yogurt, or coconut milk alone (a great non-diary alternative).

When using coconut milk, use whole milk.  Not lite!  When it comes to coconut, the fat is where it's at! Whole coconut milk actually contains coconut oil, which is wonderful and healthy.  Coconut oil is a good fat. Don't be scared.  Apparently it can help you lose weight by raising body temperature, boosting your metabolism.  It also supports thyroid function.

OK Stacy, just share the recipe already!

Alright, alright. Here goes….

(But I really will be posting more about the health benefits of coconut oil soon.)

Nutritious Chocolate Coconut Drink

As I said, this is an easily adaptable recipe.  The following is what I prepared for 2 adults and 2 small children. Servings were small (sorry I didn't measure the exact amount, will do that tomorrow and update)

Ingredients

2 – 3 frozen bananas (can use un-frozen bananas too)

1 1/2 cups whole coconut milk (1 can)

-or 3/4 cup kefir and 3/4 cup coconut milk
-or 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup yogurt
-or 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup coconut milk
-or try using coconut kefir
-or use 1 1/2 cups of kefir or milk

3 Tablespoons cocoa powder (can add more for stronger/darker chocolate flavor)

1/2 to 1 Tablespoon maple syrup (adjust to desired sweetness)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Method

Place all ingredients in blender.  Blend until thick and creamy and well-combined.

I came across this recipe a few years ago on one of my favorite blogs, High Desert Home.  Susan, the author, no longer blogs there, but has graciously left her work for us to read and enjoy. I learned a lot from Susan and highly recommend you visit her blog!

 

Mmm Yum!

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28 Comments

  1. Hey stace! I am so gonna make this tomorrow because I just finished my green smoothie that I made this weekend and we are going away on wednesday and I dont want to make another full batch. This looks SO good. I have the yogurt and raw milk, but I will definitely try the coconut milk version in the future. Thanks so much for sharing on the two for tuesday hop! Hugs! alex@amoderatelife

  2. Thank you for your nice words, Stacy! I don’t get around to blogs much (very rarely), but I do think of you often and wonder how you are. I always thoroughly enjoyed your comments and felt blessed that you were a reader of my blog. I hope you and your family are well.

    Take care,
    Susan 🙂

    1. I was so surprised to see “Susan L” leave a comment! Thanks for visiting me 🙂
      I think of you too, and hope you are well. I like to re-visit your blog for recipes and encouragement. Glad you left it up.

  3. Awesome!! Thanks for the recipe! You don’t have to sell me on coconut oil. I know all about the health benefits and have been using for a long time now. But, I’m so glad you are going to write about it.

    I use it in drinks and food as well as on my skin. Also great for soothing and healing burns. It has many uses and so good for us!!

    Thanks again. I just love reading your blogs!

  4. I’m pretty sure my oldest would flip for this … although, if I’m going to do something new, those oatmeal cookies in the thumbnail beneath your post were calling my name. What is it about fall that makes me want to bake?

  5. This was really good. I would; however, suggest chilling the coconut milk for several hours in the refrigerator before preparing. I found that the drink had a real strong cocoa taste. I would add a packet of Stevia and a handful of icecubes. Real good! Thanks for sharing the wonderful recipe!

    1. I agree with chilling the coconut milk first. It definitely makes it better. I like to keep some in the fridge so its there when I need it.

      And yes,it does have a strong cocoa taste! My hubby loves it. It might be too strong for some though.

  6. Looks delicious! We are doing an “elimination diet” and this looks like it would fit the bill! Can’t wait to try something chocolatey and nutritious with my kids this morning for snack. Thanks for the post!

  7. Here’s my question. I use coconut milk in some recipes…sparingly. I still can’t get over the fact that one can has over 700 calories. At my age, even with as much as I exercise – those are quite a few calories I still need to burn. Calories ever worry you?

    1. You ask a really good question, Andrea.

      I don’t think about calories too often. I used to, but it makes me feel obsessed and I don’t like that feeling.

      My general approach to eating is to only eat when I’m hungry and stop when politely full. I know it sounds simplistic, but it really works for me. I am free to eat anything I choose, but try to only do so within the parameters of hunger and fullness.

      I find that this balances things out. If I eat something high in fat, I am full longer.

      As some one who grew up in the dancing/performing arts world, I was afraid of food and calories for some time. This new approach (which is really an old approach, but was new to me) changed everything. I was able to eat mostly what I liked and weigh less than I ever have.

      I’ve been wanting to write a post about this on my fitness blog. I think I just wrote half of it 🙂