"Food of the Gods" Power Smoothie Recipe

Energizing, mood boosting & anti-inflammatory power shake

Ever since tasting colon hydrotherapy guru Carla Roter's Cocoa & Banana Smoothie recipe, I haven't been able to get enough of the creamy concoction.

The recipe is from the just released "The Gentle Colonoscopy Prep" and is recommended as part of the preparation process before a colonoscopy, but I drink it when I need a chocolate fix, after a workout, as a quick on-the-go breakfast, an afternoon snack, or simply because it tastes amazing! 

The basic recipe simply includes coconut milk, banana, cocoa powder and coconut oil (optional). To entice my kids, I sweetened it by adding some maple syrup, but feel free to leave it out entirely. For added protein, Carla suggests adding chia seeds or hemp hearts, both of which happen to blend beautifully into a smoothie, and some avocado. 

By the way, I'll be reviewing Carla's book soon and am hoping for an interview too, so stay tuned!

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup coconut milk (shake the can well to mix in the coconut cream or stir well after opening)
1/2 banana 
1 tsp. all natural cocoa powder (I like Camino's)
1/2 avocado 
1 heaping tsp. chia seeds (soak chia seeds in a jar with 1/4 of warm water until they gel before adding to the smoothie)
1/2 tsp. maple syrup (optional)
I also add 1/2 to 1 cup water to thin it out a little 

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If it's too thick, add a little more water. Makes 1 cup (250 mL). 

If you are following Carla's colonoscopy prep protocol, stick to the original recipe in the book. 

But if a quick breakfast is on the menu, the recipe above is a much healthier alternative to Carnation Breakfast Essentials, Dark Chocolate Powder Drink Mix, and it's almost as easy to prepare. Check out the ingredients: 

NONFAT MILK, SUGAR, MALTODEXTRIN, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKAKI), LACTOSE AND 2% OR LESS OF DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SOY LECITHIN, CARAMEL COLOR, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM ASCORBATE (VITAMIN C), CARRAGEENAN, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, FERRIC ORTHOPHOSPHATE (IRON SOURCE), ALPHA TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), NIACINAMIDE, COPPER GLUCONATE, ZINC OXIDE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (PANTOTHENIC ACID), MANGANESE SULFATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B₆), THIAMINE MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B₁), BIOTIN, VITAMIN K₁ (PHYTONADIONE), FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN D₃ (CHOLECALCIFEROL), VITAMIN B₁₂ (CYANOCOBALAMIN).

Carnation's website states it's "A delicious and nutritious way to start the day off right." Umm, not so much. It's basically chocolate milk with added vitamins and minerals. Sugar is the second ingredient in this 'healthy' breakfast and the soy lecithin, maltodextrin, cornstarch, and even the sugar are likely derived from genetically modified soy and corn. Cocoa is chock full of antioxidants, but a study found that when it's processed with alkali, it loses about 90% of its antioxidants. 

Sure, it's convenient, but is it worth it? Instead, blend up this smoothie recipe before bed, and enjoy your healthy 'instant' breakfast when you wake up!

Read more about colon health: Banish Bowel Back-Up Naturally and Fermented Foods Make a Comeback

http://www.thegentlecolonoscopy.com/