Chocolate Shake

Smooth, thick & 'ice'creamy, chocolately, and oh so yummy! oh and can't forget... HEALTHY!

Ingredients:
(makes 1)

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond/soy milk
• 1 tablespoon raw cocoa powder or carob (more if you like it extra chocolately!)
• 1/2 tablespoon raw peanut butter 
• 1 teaspoon gluten free vanilla extract
• Sprinkling of carob or vegan choc flakes (optional)

Directions:

1. Place the frozen banana in a food processor, and pulse until it resembles frozen soft serve ice cream. (don't whizz it up so much it melts).
2. Add all the other ingredients, and whizz until fully combined. It's that simple! If you want it even thicker add an extra half tablespoon peanut butter).
3. Pour into a chilled glass, pop in a straw (or a spoon might be more appropriate really), sprinkle on a few carob or vegan chocolate flakes and serve. :)

To make it a thick and 'ice'creamy vanilla shake, leave out the cocoa powder and add an extra half teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you need to make it a tiny bit sweeter... a teaspoon agave nectar or sweetened vanilla almond/soy milk will do the trick!

I got super excited today, as the rock star of an actress, Dawn Olivieri, asked me on twitter if I knew how to make a vegan malt shake. I love that people are getting as excited as me over these recipes. So here goes... If you want a malted milk shake, use this recipe, omitting the peanut butter and using 1 1/2 tablespoons barley malt syrup or powder extract instead. This does contain gluten though... so it's not suitable for celiacs, or for people with a gluten allergy.... sorry! But celiacs can still enjoy shake without the malt.... it still tastes reallly really good! :)

Gym bunnies could also add a scoop of vegan/ gluten free protein powder for a yummy pre- or post- workout snack!

Hot Chocolate Banana Breakfast Quinoa

Chocolate for breakfast? Oh yes, yes, yes! This is a really yummy alternative to oatmeal in the mornings, it gives you a quick chocolate fix too... and if you're like me I need atleast 3 chocolatey hits a day!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup quinoa
• 1/4 cup gluten free oats
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla soy/almond milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 banana
• 2 tbsps cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp raisins

Directions

1. Mash or puree the banana and set aside.
2. Put the quinoa, milk, and water in a saucepan, bring to boil, then turn down to a low heat and simmer for 15 mins.
3. Add the oats, and simmer for a further 10mins.
4. Stir in the raisins, cocoa powder and pureed banana until fully combined.
5. Spoon into a bowl, and serve warm. Yummy in your tummy!

This also tastes amazing with a tablespoon of almond or peanut butter stirred through... packs some extra protein in there aswell!  Perfect for a pre- or post- workout breakfast.