For all you chocoholics, like me, here is a healthy chocolate shake recipe! You should find that this drink gives you energy, satisifies a sweet tooth and you also get a couple at least of your 5-a-day here. What more could you want from a drink? The avocado is used to thicken it up and give it a more creamy mouthfeel, and you can use any type of non-dairy ice-cream you like (the ones made from coconut milk work particularly well here though).

Ingredients (Makes 2 cups)

• 1 tsp raw cocoa nibs
• 1 tbsp organic cocoa powder
• 6-7 raw cashews
• 2 tsp agave nectar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 scoop organic dairy-free vanilla ice-cream
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1/3 ripe banana
• 1/3 cup rice milk
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 1/2 avocado
• 2 or 3 ice cubes

Method

1. In a blender, combine all ingredients, including ice, and blend until smooth.

2. It's best served immediately but can be kept up to two days in the fridge.

Enjoy! (It may give you an attractive chocolate mustache!)

*Image courtesy Flickr creative commons.