Since starting my health journey, I’ve read several diet books, articles and cook books looking for inspiration. To be honest, I have no idea what the right way to eat is. There may not be one. For now, I’m just trying out what may be right for me.

So far, I’ve been avoiding grains, legumes, most dairy, corn, soy, and lectins. I eat only a little animal protein and a lot of healthy fats. Still going low carb, but definitely not so low as a ketogenic diet, so I do eat fresh berries in season on occasion.

While this may seem incredibly limiting, I have really enjoyed stretching my abilities as a cook and coming up with new and different flavor combinations. For example, this morning’s chocolatey smoothie that definitely satisfied my cocoa cravings and left me feeling satisfied.

With plenty of antioxidants, omegas 3 & 6, as well as plant based protein, this mineral rich smoothie can easily be considered “green” despite it’s rich brown chocolate color.

Recipe

• 1 cup chopped kale
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 tbsp raw cocoa nibs
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup (8 oz) hemp milk
• 1/2 cup ice
• 6 drops stevia (or no carb sweetener of your choice) –less or more depending on how sweet you like it
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• More cocoa nibs for garnish

Instructions

Blend all ingredients in blender until creamy. Pour into glass and garnish witha dash of cinnamon and cocoa nibs for crunch. Enjoy!