Kicking-the-Coffee Morning Shake

This has caffeine, from the raw cacao (and a whole lot of antioxidants, too), and sustaining energy from the maca, which is like a crazy kind of superfood. I don't use much of it in my recipes because I am sensitive to it but if you like maca you could add more here. And whatever berries, juice etc that you have...I have blueberries from my Signal Hill walks and raspberries from the backyard.

On days when I naively believe that I can successfully kick my coffee habit, I make this shake. I figure that in order to ease off of one caffeinated substance it's easier if you do it with another, less caffeinated, and healthier one, like a shake with raw cacao... (Later in the day I usually cave in, though, and have a cup of coffee. It's a hard thing to give up!). You could make this with carob instead if you are sensitive to caffeine.

KICKING-THE-COFFEE SHAKE

1/3 cup frozen raspberries
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 tsp maca
2 tbsp raw cacao powder
1 cup fruit juice (or almond milk)
6 Brazil nuts
1 overripe banana

Blend and enjoy in the morning! Serves 1 generously or 2 in smaller portions.

Wondering where to get things like maca and cacao? Sometimes in a small place like Newfoundland it's impossible to find certain ingredients. I do a mail-order once or twice a year to an online health food store or two...and stock up on everything at once so that I am not paying a lot in shipping. You could also get together with friends and go in on an order now and then...