Cranberry Cacao Bliss

I’ll let you in on a couple secrets. First I wasn’t even sure I would have a blog post today because I have so many I’m not feeling the photos or I have questions about what I wrote down with the recipes as I was being anti computer and having issues with papers. Some aren’t big deals but still I need to make sure I have the exact measurements and tweaks. Second… between me and you I am seriously feeling cranberries more than pumpkin this year. I know crazy, right? Not only because I have over 10 lbs of fresh cranberries but I’m only really feeling a couple things I’ve made with pumpkin this year. Don’t worry if you are a big pumpkin fan you can find plenty of PUMPKIN recipes on the blog or from all over the internet!

So I have no kidding you all the recipes I have right now that I’m liking have cranberries, except 2. Yes 2! Oh but wait there are savory and sweet and if you like cranberries you should be excited for what’s coming! Even if you don’t well there is an amazing simple dessert that has both pumpkin and cranberry that even non cranberry lovers had bowls that were empty, like scrapped clean!

It’s no surprise that I like my smoothies and smoothie bowls. It’s often what people come looking for even though I don’t post them on the blog nearly as much as I use to. Not that I don’t love them but just branching out and keeping simple smoothies and smoothie bowls to social media mostly. One of my favorite things when it comes to smoothies and smoothie bowls is using season produce and keeping them healthy and delicious!

If you haven’t had chocolate and cranberries you need to asap! This smoothie or smoothie bowl, a sweet treat I have coming, or even chocolate covered Craisins (dried cranberries). It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart and they come together so well in this smoothie/smoothie bowl. I’m not a huge fan of super sweet foods and I love dark chocolate but you can easily tweak this recipe. I’ve already done that if you aren’t a huge cranberry fan adding an option, combining cranberries and cherries. You will still get the great healthy antioxidant benefits of cranberries.

There are also options to make this a rich and thick whole food smoothie/smoothie bowl, a protein option, and a quick lower calorie option. Which ever one you make I’m certain you will love it and the healthy benefits of this amazing seasonal fruit! Oh and check out the other superfood snuck into this super berry smoothie! Filling healthy fats of nuts or nut milk, cacao powder (you can use cocoa powder if needed or your chocolate protein smoothie), chia seeds for fiber and omegas, and all the delicious berries. I also like maca in mine but that is optional. A chocolate smoothie/smoothie bowl with benefits, I’m all in! Are you?

Cranberry Cacao Bliss
Makes 1 serving
1c water
1/4c raw unsalted cashews
1 TBSP chia seeds (Navitas Naturals)
1 Medjool date, pitted
1/2c frozen cranberries or 1/4c each frozen cranberries and frozen cherries
2 TBSP cacao powder (Navitas Naturals)
1/2 tsp gelatinized maca powder, optional (Navitas Naturals)
1 tsp vanilla
dash of cinnamon
cacao nibs for garnish, optional (Navitas Naturals)

Options:
For a protein shake, swap cacao powder for 1 scoop chocolate protein. (I like and use Vega.)
Quick and easy swap water and cashews for 1c non dairy milk.
Or swap both of the above.
For a smoothie bowl add 1/4-1/2 cup more frozen cherries or cranberries and use tamper tool with your blender to make really thick. Toppings optional but I like chopped Go Macro Sunny Uplift Cherries & Berries Bar or granola.

In a Vitamix, or high speed blender, blend everything together until smooth. If making a smoothie bowl make sure to use your tamper tool to make it super thick and ensure it all gets blended together. Add optional toppings. Enjoy!

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