This was Monday’s sunset a couple of weeks ago.  My friend Lorelle and I were discussing over lunch that maybe people get sick of seeing sunset pictures on social media, but I think we’re just spoiled in San Diego. We get amazing ones all the time. But in case you are tired of seeing sunsets, here is a healthy, delicious chocolate smoothie recipe. Not being able to eat gluten eliminates many desserts for me. When I’m having a chocolate craving, I try to have this smoothie. Some times it works and sometimes nothing but Breyers Rocky Road (also gluten-free) ice cream will do. In any event, here is a smoothie recipe that still tastes great with as much healthy stuff in it I can think of.

I start with oatmeal. Bob’s Red Mill makes gluten-free rolled oats. Some gluten- free people can’t tolerate oats. You know who you are.  I add four tablespoons of raw oatmeal first thing and blend it so it dissolves better. I like adding the fiber because it’s filling and it balances out the sugar in the fruit. I then add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed which is supposed to have all kind of health benefits. I think I add about a half cup of chocolate Almond milk and water. The almond milk is kind of fattening but it adds to the chocolate flavor. I always have this around because I use it in my coffee.  Add half a banana. I freeze them because they keep better. I hate under ripe bananas so by the time I use them they are about to go bad. I throw them in a freezer bag and use them when I need them.  They look yucky but they taste good.

Next I add frozen berries. They taste good with the chocolate.  I used Nature’s Three Berrie’s from Costco, but either frozen raspberries or strawberries work well. Fresh berries don’t work as well because the smoothie doesn’t get cold.  You could use ice cubes instead of water, but it’s hard on the blender. I’ve burned out several blenders. More on that later.

After that’s all blended, I sprinkle in 4 tablespoons of chocolate hemp protein powder. I switched to this after I found out I was hypothyroid. Soy isn’t good for me, nor is dairy. I love cheese but my sinus infections beg to differ.  Cutting back on dairy  helps a lot in that department. I know some people can tolerate whey but I realized it just didn’t work for me.  The hemp has loads of health benefits and it’s actually considered a vegetable. Can’t get enough of those, right?

And more about blenders. I’ve been on and off smoothies for years and can’t tell you how many blenders I burned through. Ice cubes are brutal on the motor. So after going through pricey blenders that didn’t last, I finally found this one on Amazon. I couldn’t find my exact blender but this one looks close and I remember paying around $36.oo for it. Plus the metallic red looks cool. That was a bargain compared to the $100.00 plus blenders that stopped working after a few months.

This smoothie has an amazingly chocolate taste and it fills you up like a light meal.  Sort of. At least it tastes good.

Here is Muse’s newest song which I think is amazing.