Well•Being Wednesday: Chocolate Macadamia Nut "Milk"Shake
Updated: May 12, 2021
Hello friends! I have spent much of this week reflecting on 2020 and all of the changes it has brought us - some temporary, some permanent. Many of us have made major life transitions or at least are taking a little (lot) more time indulging in activities than our pre-covid lives allowed.
Listen, I know what you're thinking, "Kate, where are you going with this? I thought this was about milkshakes." But do you know what my dream job is? Food blogger 👩💻 Honestly, how do they make those beautifully composed photos with the perfect lighting and food so immaculate? And do they all have such posh kitchens?! It's seriously impressive, and they always seem so happy and calm while they're doing it. True wizards, I must say.
Reading food blogs and cooking is just as calming to me as practicing yoga. My favorite nerve-soothing bloggers include Joy the Baker, Minimalist Baker, The Mississippi Vegan, + Sally's Baking Addiction, to name just a few. To the above listed, I have made many messes in the kitchen sloppily trying to recreate your masterpieces and I look up to you👩🍳
Now without further adieu, my very first (and maybe last because this was actually a ton of work) food post: A Raw-Vegan Chocolate Macadamia Nut "Milk"Shake🥤.
Confession: I eat chocolate every. single. day. After years of denial, my chocolate habit is very much real, my friends. I had made many attempts at special diets and trends in my youth, but one thing kept getting in the way: where is the damn chocolate?! A fun (but difficult) diet (or lifestyle, because it is very time consuming) I often used as a multi-week cleans (because the good Lord knows I will not fast): raw vegan 🌱 Not easy, but I did find some very cleaver recipes! And there is one that, even after a decade, I still crave: The Garden Diet's mac-nut chocolate smoothie (with Storm + Jinjee). I can't find the exact recipe anywhere now, but I tried recalling from memory and this came pretty darn close.
Macadamia nuts are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, heart-healthy fats and boast some of the highest flavonoid levels of any tree nut - an antioxidant that can lower cholesterol and fight inflammation. Studies also show mac nuts may aid in weight loss and improve gut health. This recipe also uses all natural sugars, a banana (for your health), and coconut water (because yum).
Let me know what you think! The ingredients are a bit unconventional and probably not in your everyday kitchen, but it is fun for variety if you make a lot of smoothies or are craving a chocolate milkshake 🙂 (you can find all ingredients @ Trader Joe's, too)
Vegan Chocolate Macadamia Nut Milkshake
Ingredients
1/2 c macadamia nuts
1 cup coconut water
1 ripe banana
1 tsp honey (sub: maple syrup)
2 pitted dates
1 tbsp carob powder or cocoa powder
dash of olive oil
pinch of pink Himalayan salt
3-4 Ice cubes
Blend well in a blender and enjoy!