I'm a sucker for anything chocolate. With my (perhaps ever-so-slightly) addictive personality, I think it is safe to call me a chocoholic. That is why, when I finally hit the right combination to make a pile of healthy ingredients taste just like a chocolate milkshake, I did a little happy dance in the kitchen. Okay, maybe it was around the whole house.

The cacao powder really adds a creamy texture so don't leave that out and by all means, please insert your own happy dance.

1 frozen banana

1 to 1 1/2 cups almond milk

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon cacao powder

1/2 tablespoon ground espresso

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1 tablespoon unsweetened carob chips* (optional)

Place all ingredients in a high powered blender (I use this one) and blend until smooth. If you are making the smoothie ahead of time, you will want to use the additional half cup of almond milk as the smoothie will thicken considerably as it sits.

*I use the carob chips to add a deeper chocolate flavor without bringing refined sugar into the mix. Feel free to leave them out if you are not a fan.