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Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl with Banana + Cacao Nibs

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl | @withfoodandlove

Thank you for letting me write you that story last week. It felt damn good to release all of that. And after purging all those thoughts, I’m shifting my focus to the present. By creating packing to-do lists {we leave in exactly two weeks from today!} and ramping up my super self-care regimen. I am getting there, one step at a time.

Before we get to this chocolate hazelnut smoothie bowl, let’s talk acupuncture.

Last night I had my first ever acupuncture treatment. And I’ll totally admit it, I was super nervous. I wasn’t apprehensive that it would hurt or be uncomfortable. I just had this nagging irrational fear that the process would somehow agitate my pre-existing conditions {anxiety, worry, stress} and I would be left in a worse state of mind. I guess it was the fear of the unknown, how I would feel afterwards, etc. But I conjured up enough guts, bundled up and walked across the street, up four floors and into a historic old brownstone that houses the cutest little integrative health center.

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl | @withfoodandlove

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl | @withfoodandlove

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl | @withfoodandlove

My treatment left me renewed with optimism; I’m eager to do more treatments when I get to St. Louis. And with acupuncture comes more self-care, a cleaner diet. Something I’m generally pretty good at. I for sure put forth my best effort to practice what I preach. But with all these transitions and moving and packing and Christmas, I barely have time to fit everything in. So let’s talk protein powder.

As a health coach and natural foods lover, there aren’t too many protein powders that I can get behind. Honestly I rarely use them, if ever at all. They’re usually flooded with junk, synthetic fillers and nasty chemicals. But ALOHA does it right. ALOHA Premium Protein Powders come in a vanilla flavor {so delicious blended with citrus + greens!}, and a chocolate flavor {see smoothie bowl creation below}.

ALOHA products are just my steeze, for real. Here’s the scoop…they’re made with real non-GMO, sustainably harvested organic foods, free of artificial or “natural” flavors, gluten, soy + dairy. Also, totally vegan, yay! To get a FREE taste, sign up for a commitment-free trial here.

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl | @withfoodandlove

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl | @withfoodandlove

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl | @withfoodandlove

 

Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl
Author: Sherrie Castellano | With Food + Love
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2 small bowls
I made this with ALOHA protein powder, but any type of chocolate protein powder works just great! See notes for smoothie bowl topping options.
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons of chocolate protein powder
  • 1 tablespoon raw cacao
  • 1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts {see below}
  • 2 bananas, peeled
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.
  2. Pour the smoothie mixture into two bowls and top with garnishes below.
Notes
Topping options:[br]sliced bananas[br]crushed hazelnuts[br]sea salt[br]cacao nibs[br]hemp seeds

 

Toasted Hazelnuts
Author: Sherrie Castellano | With Food + Love
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2 cups toasted nuts
Adapted from [url href=”http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/to-toast-and-skin-hazelnuts-14905″ target=”_blank”]Epicurious[/url]. An easy how-to toast hazelnuts!
Ingredients
  • 2 cups hazelnuts, shelled
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. On a baking sheet, spread hazelnuts in a single layer.
  3. Toast for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and wrap nuts in a kitchen towel. Rub nuts in towel to remove loose skins. Sometimes the whole skin won’t come off, and that’s okay!
  4. Cool completely.

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This post is sponsored by ALOHA, all opinions are my own.

Jordyn

Friday 11th of March 2016

I bet this smells awesome.

Sherrie

Friday 11th of March 2016

It totally does :)

Jennifer

Monday 8th of February 2016

Did you remove the skin from the hazelnuts?

Sherrie

Tuesday 1st of March 2016

Hi Jennifer, you do! After they're done toasting toss them in a towel and gently rub to remove.

Coco

Tuesday 20th of October 2015

Not bad to the taste but I find that if this really makes 2 portions it is a lot of calories (541) for a breakfast unless it is a late breakfast early lunch. If you are counting calories maybe divide it in 3 portions would help.

Olga

Monday 19th of January 2015

Hi! I love your recipe but am not sold on protein powder. Is there a substitute you would recommend?

cynthia

Friday 9th of January 2015

Oh man this looks AWESOME. In every single way possible!!! I need one in my life ASAP.

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