Web Exclusive—Cinnamon-Cacao Smoothie

Cinnamon-Cacao Smoothie(Serves: 1 to 2)

This delicious, energizing smoothie is better than any cup of coffee. It‘s smooth, creamy, and sweet, but it‘s completely dairy- and refined sugar–free. A perfect dessert, afternoon pick-me-up, or breakfast. A high-speed blender is best for this recipe, but a regular blender will work as long as it can crush ice.Raw cacao nibs are seeds from the actual cacao tree. Larger natural foods markets carry them, or you can buy them online at rawfood.com. Agave nectar, a delicious alternative sweetener from the agave cactus, is also available at natural foods stores in the baking section with other sweeteners. Nut milks are available in natural foods stores and many larger grocery stores.

Ingredients:
2/3 to 3/4 cup plain hazelnut or almond milk
3 tablespoons cacao nibs
1 to 2 tablespoons agave nectar
pinch sea salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 a frozen banana
15 to 20 ice cubes
fresh mint and/or whole cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions: Combine nut milk, cacao, agave, sea salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and banana in a blender and process until completely smooth. Taste and adjust ingredients as necessary. Add ice and blend again until smooth and frosty. Pour into glasses and garnish with mint and/or cinnamon sticks. Serve immediately.

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