Mint Chocolate Squares, Chocolate Smoothie Bowl & GIVEAWAY
Happy New Year, friends! I hope this year is off to a great start for you. This is my first blog post of 2018 and I have some sweet, yet extra healthy recipes to share with you that are raw, vegan, gluten free, and nut free: mint chocolate squares, an iron boosting chocolate smoothie bowl, an acai smoothie bowl AND last but not least, a giveaway!
Read the full post here.
It seems that many people are still on some kind of detox mode after the holidays (we just finished the 7 day group sugar cleanse). Regardless of where you're at, I've got some "detox approved" recipes to share with you that are so tasty, you won't even realize how healthy they are!
First up, creamy mint chocolate squares that have a secret ingredient to boost their nutrition: TriPow! TriPow is a blend of spirulina and chlorella (both are algaes), which are considered superfoods due to their extremely high nutritional profile. You know that I'm a big fan of incorporating green powders right into my recipes because its such a tasty way to enjoy them. Let's face it, we need to be eating more greens!
Here's what the TriPow website has to say about these 2 superstar foods:
Dating back thousands of years, algae boasts such an impressive nutritional profile, and the benefits are being researched by NASA and the European Space Agency as the perfect space food. Over 40 years ago, the United Nations World Food Conference declared algae the “Best food for the future.”
Algae is 50-70% protein by weight and contains all the essential amino acids for your body to thrive. It has more iron than spinach, more beta carotene than carrots, and provides a myriad of nutrients to boost your health. Loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids and detoxifying phytochemicals, we believe TriPow is the perfect food blend. It has been endorsed by athletes and Olympians for energy, recovery and peak performance. Many other TriPow customers boast of weight loss, mental clarity, better immunity, glowing skin, detoxification and reversing anemia or low iron.
Mint Chocolate Squares
Nut Free - Raw - Vegan - Gluten Free
You can make these as mint squares (grasshopper squares) - OR you can omit the peppermint and turn them into green vanilla bars! I've made them both ways and they're fabulous either way.
Crust
2/3 cup shredded coconut
2/3 cup pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons cacao powder
2/3 cup pitted dates
1/2 teaspoon tripow greens
2 teaspoons water
Grind the coconut, seeds, and cacao to fine crumbs in a food processor. Add the dates and greens. Process until they're broken down. Add the water starting with slightly less and process briefly. Press the dough into a plastic wrap lined 9x5 bread pan.
Filling
3/4 cup mashed avocado
1/2 cup coconut milk*
1/4 cup coconut nectar or maple syrup
1/2 cup melted coconut butter
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon tripow greens**
4-5 drops peppermint essential oil OR 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blend the avocado, coconut milk, and nectar in a blender until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and blend again to incorporate. Spread the mixture over the crust. Place in the freezer for at least 6 hours and then into the fridge for a few hours before slicing.
*Or almond milk
**I've incorporated the tripow greens into this dessert for even more nutrition. If you live outside of Canada, you can substitute spirulina or chlorella. And don't be fooled by the small amount - a little reeeeally packs a punch! It's a very concentrated powder.
Chocolate Drizzle
2 tablespoons coconut nectar
2 tablespoons cacao powder, sifted
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1-2 teaspoons hot water
Whisk all ingredients together until very smooth and shiny. Drizzle over the finished squares.
Giveaway!
Enter to WIN a bag of TriPow Greens to enjoy in your recipes too! This giveaway is only open to residents of Canada.
To Enter:
- Leave a comment below answering this question: have you ever tried spirulina or chlorella? How do you like to take it? (My answer: Yes, I used to be so hooked on spirulina when I was a raw foodist that I would sprinkle it on all of my salads. I also used to chew chlorella tablets for fun! haha).
- That's it!
A winner will randomly be chosen on Tuesday January 16th and will be contacted by email. You will need to respond within 24 hours to claim your prize.
This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own and I only share products with you that I truly love and use.
Let's get into that chocolate smoothie bowl now, shall we?!
This bowl is specifically designed to help boost your iron! So if you think the ingredients are funny, like the raisins, that is why. And not to worry if you don't like raisins - you WON'T taste them once they're blended in.
Isn't it amazing how just a few simple garnishes really elevate a simple dish? Tahini, molasses, and a combo of crushed and whole cacao nibs were perfect and tasty touches here. Its also fun to swirl it all around!
Iron Boosting Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
1/3 cup brewed chaga tea*
1/3 cup packed raisins
1/2 frozen avocado**
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
1 tablespoon molasses, plus more to drizzle
2 tablespoons cacao powder
1/4 cup soft dates
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
6 large ice cubes
Soak the raisins in the chaga tea (either soak them in chilled chaga tea and let sit for at least 4 hours to soften OR soak them in the hot tea but only use the tea in the smoothie once it's cooled). Blend all but the ice cubes in a high speed blender until smooth. Add the ice and blend again smooth and frosty. Eat immediately.
*I talk about chaga in THIS VIDEO.
**quartered before freezing for easier blending
I also have a recipe video for an Acai Smoothie bowl that I shared this time last year. You can see my video and recipe HERE.
42 Comments
I haven't tried it yet but I would be excited to!
I agree and totally love the taste but can’t say I’ve ever tried to chew a chlorella tablet!
I have never tried either! ALso, this recipe looks amazing!
I like them in tabs or water since I’m not a fan of how they change the flavor of foods unless the dose is very small.
I would love love love to try either of those! All your recipes are so fun and simple, I just can't bare to spend the money on these. As I am a student, so winning this giveaway would mean the world to me!
Thank you so much! :D
Yes!!!we use tri pow daily at our house some of my favourites ways to enjoy it is blended with some fresh grapefruits, in raw chocolate, added into smoothies, added in guacamole yum ! So many option ! ?
Nope! Haven’t tried Spirilina or Chlorella. I can’t wait to try the mint chocolate squares. Hope I win theTriPow greens!
I have never tried either of them, but I definitely would love to. I put dulse in my smoothies, but these would be a great addition too I think!
I take spirulina in pill form. Simple, but you have to take like 6 pills per dose.
I have only tried spirullina in smoothies! Never thought of shaking on salad, thank you! I would LOVE to win this!
Absolutely like you Heather..I still use spirulina in my smoothies, having started back some 30 years ago! Yep, I’m aging gracefully!
Hi! I have tried spirulina powder before in smoothies to help me get my green on and add some plant based protein! GO VEGANS!! ? Spirulina is a great product, and it really helps me get ready for the day!
Yes, I love spirulina! I use it mainly in my smoothie - make it so green and boosting protein power!
I use spirulina! It’s great in smoothies. Also I’ve mixed it with maple syrup and drizzle a bit on a fruit salad.
No, but I'd love to try it! I actually enjoy the taste of spirulina but haven't tried chlorella.
I love mint and chocolate and really want to try these! I maybe have unknowingly had spirulina in a green smoothie (is that what's in happy planet green juice??). Would love to try it in recipes i can make at home and have in play a bigger part in my diet/routine.
I have tired spirulina but it was so long ago I barely remember and I don’t believe I’ve tried chlorella. Would love to try this powder concentrate and boost my greens! ??
I love mint and chocolate! I really want to try these. I think I have had spirulina maybe hidden in a smoothie (happy planet green juice?). With all the health benefits It's definitely something I want to start using in more recipes at home and just using in general to boost protein and iron into my diet. Thanks so much for sharing these awesome recipes :)
I love spirulina on popcorn with a little nutritional yeast and coconut oil. I mix chlorella in a glass of water and drink. I also give both to my dog.
I LOVE TriPow greens. Spirulina and Chlorella in one beautiful scoop! I mostly have it the old boring way; add to a smoothie or mix with A supplement called CardioFlex. A few years ago, a chef made some gorgeous cupcakes with TriPow in the icing. SO DELICIOUS! My problem is that I don’t want that much sugar in my diet so I only allow myself the rate sugary treat. Am going to try making your mint bars tomorrow. Am also going to try using TriPow in a salad dressing. Hope it all works out!
Tripow in the cupcake frosting?! Thats a great idea?! I hope you enjoy the mint bars :)
I drink my spirulina- with organic lemon juice and stevia! Warm when it’s cold outside and ice cold the rest of the time.
I’ve only tried spirulina once before, and it was actually in a dressing for a salad I ordered at a restaurant! I felt so on top of my #healthgame when eating it haha. I’ve never purchased them myself because they’ve always been somewhat of a luxury product for me, but I’ve been dying to finally get my hands on some! I would be dumping it in everything haha
I love Tri Pow. My favourite use is in guacamole. It's all green so none of my friends or family know how healthy their chips and guac has become ?
I've actually never tried either spirulina or chlorella, but I imagine using it in a smoothie.
I have never tried spirulina or chlorella, but I have heard good things about them.
I have never tried chlorella, but I have tried spirulina in Giddy Yo Yo's chocolate bar. It was pretty good!
I don't think I have tried either! I would love to try them though.
Yes, I use them sometimes in post-workout smoothies or oats, I love spirulina
I’ve used spiralina and chorella in my protein smoothies!! So good and healthy benefit!!
Hi. I have never tried neither of those. I am new to veganism so I still didn't discover all the great stuff you can eat. However, I would like to try it! And those mint chocolate squares look amazing ?
Thank you! I hope you give them a try :)
I use it in my morning smoothies!
I have tried Spirulina powder in smoothies.
I love spirulina, use it in smoothies and juices but would love to create new combinations and recipes with it. I’m vegan, about 80% raw and love these foods! Am excited to try this blend. ?
I have yet to try it- I feel it might be the answer to some of my health worries. A difficult wait to try that Slice recipe! Jess
I have used spirulina many times but not chlorella, I like to take it as a powder in my smoothies. :)
I use them in whatever I can get away with! Sprinkle here and there in food like salads, guacamole, on top of stit fry’s... and of course in smoothies & smoothie bowls!!
I have tried spirulina and absolutely love it. I add it in my green goddess smoothie, bliss balls, hot chocolates and in face mask. My next superfoods I would love to try is chorella.
I have tried Chlorella in the form of a drink but never like this - looks so decadent, I would love to try!
I have never tried this before. But your recipes looks so delicious :)