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Finally…it’s spring!

We don’t know about you, but since spring has arrived, we have more pep in our step. Our days feel a little bit zingier. Are you feeling it?

But some of these spring mornings still feel a little bit chilly. Even though it warms up nicely by late afternoon (at least here in most parts of the south), it’s still sweater weather in the mornings, which means you may not be feeling an icy cold smoothie first thing in the day.

So we’ve got the perfect answer to your “Smoothie or oatmeal?” breakfast conundrum: the warm breakfast smoothie. A warm cacao smoothie, to be exact.

It’s creamy, it’s frothy and it will warm your soul. It’s loaded with ingredients meant to energize and balance you throughout your morning. Cacao is one of nature’s most powerful superfoods and is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that are beneficial for the brain, and the soul. Coconut oil is rich in medium chain triglycerides which are known to boost the energy and benefit the brain. Cinnamon is a warming spice and just pretty much tastes amazing.

Add in one or two of the optional ingredients, or feel free to leave them out altogether. It’s your smoothie, it’s your world. 

WARM CACAO SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

• 1 to 1 1/2 cups of almond milk
• 2 tablespoons of cacao powder
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• Big shake of cinnamon
• 1 to 2 drops of liquid stevia to sweeten, if needed
• Optional: 1 serving protein powder of your choice 
• Optional: 1 teaspoon of maca powder
• Optional: 1 teaspoon of chaga, cordyceps or other medicinal mushroom

Directions:

Warm the almond milk in a small pan, but don’t bring to a boil. Add the warm almond milk and all other ingredients to a high speed blender; blend until smooth.