Chocolate (or Carob) Almond Smoothie

We often have smoothies for either breakfast or morning tea - they're great for energy, and a quick way to fill up hungry tummies. We don't use milk, just nuts and seeds with water to make nut milk, plus either fruit and ice, or chocolate or carob powder. The kids asked for a chocolate milkshake this morning, so here's my healthy version.

First, grind up in your Thermomix on speed 9 for about 10 seconds:

- 80g raw almonds

- 20-30g of seeds - pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, linseeds, chia seeds (opt)

Add dates and grind again on speed 9 for 10 seconds:
- 80-100g dates (depending how sweet you like it)

Add ice and grind another 10 seconds on speed 9:
- 2 trays of ice cubes (or more if you want it thicker)
 

Add other ingredients to the bowl, and blend on speed 9 for a minute:

- 600-800g water

- 30g raw cacao or carob powder

You'll probably end up with some chewy bits of dates at the bottom, so just scoop them out with a spoon and eat them - delicious!

For a chocolate (or carob) 'green' smoothie, add a couple of handfuls of baby spinach or butter lettuce, and some pieces of frozen avocado... I make this for the kids and they have no idea it has spinach in it! ;)

To make a chocolate (or carob) banana smoothie, you just use frozen chunks of banana instead of the ice - no other sweetener needed.