I created this chocolate energy smoothie when I was pregnant and attending culinary school in New York.  I was also simultaneously interning at a busy restaurant near Union Square in order to fulfill my program requirements before I was too far along to fly back home to Los Angeles to deliver my baby. This meant I was at school everyday by 9 AM until late afternoon when I would head to the restaurant and work through piles of vegetables—peeling, chopping, pickling, and all other manners of readying them for cooking. 

If you’ve ever seen the inside of a Michelin starred New York City kitchen you’ll know that despite the efficient calm of the dining room, the activity behind the swinging doors most closely resembles a beehive. Numerous worker bees attend to their designated tasks in the hopes of keeping the queen bee (in this case the managing chef) happy while the customers outside enjoy the honey. 

All in all it meant that I was on my feet from about 8 AM until midnight, without the assistance of caffeine, all while growing a human inside of me. Let’s just say I could use all the help I could get in the energy department. Since I’m not the type that wakes up ravenous in the morning, I created this extremely nutrient dense, protein and calcium-rich smoothie to start me off on the right foot every morning. Try it any time you need a boost to power through the day. 

Chocolate Energy Smoothie

---

1 1/2 cups coconut water

1 handful baby kale or 2 small kale leaves torn into pieces

2  tbsp cacao powder

1/2 avocado

2 dried figs 

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 tbs blackstrap molasses (optional)

6 ice cubes (about 3/4 cups)

---

In a high-speed blender, blend the coconut water, kale, cacao, avocado, figs, vanilla protein, and blackstrap molasses, if using, starting on low and bringing up to high-speed until smooth. Add the ice and blend again briefly.  

Chef’s Note: Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses has a strong flavor but 1 tablespoon provides nearly 25% of your daily requirement for both iron and calcium. If you don’t like the taste, you can leave it out or add a bit more cacao to mask the flavor.

Feel Good Ingredient: Dried Figs

Figs are a good source of several essential minerals, including magnesium, manganese, calcium,  and potassium. Dried figs are great for your digestive system since they are one of the fruits with the most fiber.