Shakes are a great way to add nutrient-dense foods to your daily life. These three are raw, vegan, easy to make and extremely healthy. Enjoy!

INTRODUCTION

Most people think of drinking a shake for breakfast. When beginning the raw lifestyle, adapting that morning drink can be a great—and very healthful—way to add lots of nutrients without messing up your routine. The following three shakes are relatively easy to make—each takes less than five minutes from start to finish with barely any prep work involved—and they’re incredibly satisfying as well as sweet.

Of course, one doesn’t have to limit himself or herself to drinking these great shakes solely in the AM. Everyone can enjoy these any time of the day (or night).

CHOCO-BANANA DREAM

Ingredients:

3 bananas, cut up and frozen ahead of time

2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (or two handfuls of cacao nibs)

2 tbsp. organic, amber maple syrup (*You can substitute agave nectar or honey if you prefer.)

Instructions:

Place frozen bananas, cocoa powder and maple syrup in the blender. If the bananas aren’t frozen, you can add 4-6 ice cubes into the mix. Blend on high for 2-4 minutes. Taste and add extra flavorings if you so desire. Pour into a glass and enjoy.

CHOCO-COCO LOCO

Ingredients:

2 cups of unsweetened, shredded coconut

4 packets of Stevia

2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (or two handfuls of cacao nibs)

4-6 ice cubes

Instructions:

Place ingredients in blender. Blend on high for 1-3 minutes. Taste and adjust recipe to your taste. Pour in glass and enjoy.

Piña Coolada

Ingredients

1 cup fresh (or no sugar added, canned) pineapple

1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut

4 packets Stevia

4-6 ice cubes

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients together for 3 minutes or so. Check consistency and adjust mixture to your taste. Pour into glass and enjoy.

SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS:

Bananas are high in potassium and provide a smooth, creamy base for shakes that’s not unlike ice cream. Organic maple syrup doesn’t go through as much processing as inorganic products. The sugars are natural and less likely to mess with an individual’s blood sugar. Agave nectar is a “raw” sweetener that can be used in place of the maple syrup for those who are 100% raw or prefer natural sugars that don’t impact the glycemic index.

Coconut is high in good fats. It will make the hair shiny and help boost the metabolism. Young coconuts are best, if you can find them. If you can get a whole, raw coconut, that’s optimum. However, unsweetened, shredded coconut is easier at least for those starting out on a raw/vegan path or who just want to add some vegan nutrition to their life.

Stevia is a sweetener from the Andes region in South America. It is all-natural and about four times sweeter than sugar. It also doesn’t mess with the blood sugar and is actually very beneficial for those who have yeast issues.

CONCLUSION:

No matter where a person is in his or her life or food plan, each of these shakes can add some variety and nutrition to his/her day with minimal effort. Each of the following shakes taste great and fill a person up, giving some much-needed energy in a healthy way. Enjoy!