[Recipes] Mint Chocolate Chip FIEND? Blend Up The Maca Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Blizzard

HOLY MINT CHOCOLATE MOUTHGASM.

Mint chocolate chip fiends, rejoice. The Maca Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Blizzard is an uber-lean, nutrition-packed, refreshing way to energize any day or fuel up post-workout with a silky smooth, velveteen shot of pure bliss.

And it’s absolutely delicious. Like how-can-this-possibly-be-healthy good.

The Maca Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Blizzard deploys a lineup of pure, au naturel ingredients — including bananas, fresh mint, whey protein isolate (WPI), and coconut almond milk — to produce a RUSH of lean, physique-chiseling, full-blown ab fuel. But it’s two key uberfoods that distinguish the MMCCPB and jack its nutritional prowess up to elite levels:

• Raw Cacao Nibs: Raw cacao is one of the world’s most potent antioxidants, including a heavyset surge of flavonoids and polyphenols. It’s loaded with fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, and a variety of other trace minerals. More impressively, raw cacao is the most concentrated source of theobromine — a stimulant and vasodilator (and an alkaloid) that can improve blood flow and energy levels. Studies suggest that cacao can boost heart health, improve BP + cholesterol levels, and potential increase fat breakdown.¹²³
• Maca Powder: Maca is a root — originally eaten by Incan warriors — that’s been shown to provide a non-caffeinated burst of energy and stamina, boost libido, improve memory, and fight depression, anxiety, and stress (AKA it’s a mood enhancer). It’s also purported to impact sex hormones, and there’s some evidence to suggest it boosts testosterone levels. Maca is admittedly UBER strong and tastes terrible on its own, but blended into a smoothie it adds an extra layer of flavor and an element of frothiness.⁴⁵⁶⁷⁸

What pours out is an invigorating, complete, fat-slashing protein smoothie that’s geysering with 44g of protein, 10g of fiber, antioxidants, iron, and a ton of other minerals, all for a svelte 400 calories + 15g of sugar.

Or split it in half for 2 mini super smoothies. Geeeeeeeeet it.

The Maca Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Blizzard — Ingredients

*Makes 1 BIG smoothie. Feel free to split it up into 2.

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut almond milk (I use Califia Farms) — or choose any other milk variety as a base.
• 1.5 scoops chocolate or unflavored whey protein (I use NOW unflavored) — chocolate and unflavored powders both work, but they’ll each produce a smoothie that’s more/less chocolate-y. Use our protein powder guide if you’re looking to buy a jug. You can also adjust this # up/down depending on your own protein needs.
• 1 banana — use a frozen banana for a creamier smoothie.
• 3.5 tbsps. raw cacao nibs (I use Healthworks) — blend in 2.5 tbsps; mix in 1 tbsp. afterwards.
• 1 tsp. maca power (I use Navitas Naturals)
• 10 whole mint leaves
• 3 ice cubes
• *Optional — if you want it to be REALLY minty, throw in a drop of peppermint extract.

The Maca Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Blizzard — Make It

Time: 2 minutes.

• (1) Throw everything in a blender. Only add 2.5 tbsps. of the cacao nibs.
• (2) Blend. If you’ve got a variable speed blender, like a Vitamix, start on low and work your way up slowly to top power.
• (3) Mix in the leftover 1 tbsp. of cacao nibs — this gives the smoothie a delicate crunch.
• (4) Chug.

Nutrition Info

• Calories — 400
• Total Fat — 6g
• Carbs — 45g
• Sugar — 15g
• Fiber — 10g
• Protein — 44g
• Vitamin B12 — 50%
• Vitamin D — 25%
• Vitamin E — 45%
• Calcium — 65%
• Magnesium — 40%
• Potassium — 20%
• Iron — 25%

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:8]

• About
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Bryan DiSanto

Owner & Editor-in-Chief at Lean It UP

Bryan DiSanto is the Owner & Editor-in-Chief of Lean It UP, a culinary student at Le Cordon Bleu – Paris, an ACE-CPT & CSN, NYU graduate, ex-fat kid, and all-around fitness/nutrition nutjob.

He also contributes to Men's Health Magazine.

When he’s not working on his (or somebody else’s) abs, whipping up Eggocados, or running a Tough Mudder, he’s probably off yelling at a Carolina Panthers game somewhere.

Latest posts by Bryan DiSanto (see all)

• The Workout Music Friday Five-Pack, V34 — Fetty Wap, Flux Pavilion, Future, And Years & Years - October 23, 2015
• [WOTM, 10/2015] Annihilate Your Legs With The Lower Body Lumberjack Workout - October 19, 2015
• The Workout Music Friday Five-Pack, V33 — Skrillex, Hardwell, Miguel, and G-Eazy - October 16, 2015

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References, Notes, Links

1. Examine.com — Cacoa [↩]
2. Watanabe N, et al. Flavan-3-ols fraction from cocoa powder promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle in mice. Lipids Health Dis. (2014 [↩]
3. Roberto Corti, MD, Andreas J. Flammer, MD, Norman K. Hollenberg, MD, PhD, Thomas F. Lüscher, MD. Contemporary Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine — Cocoa and Cardiovascular Health [↩]
4. Examine.com — Maca Powder [↩]
5. Sigma-Aldrich — Maca Nutrition Profile [↩]
6. Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, Ashton JF, Cox MB, Stojanovska L. Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Menopause. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):1157-62. [↩]
7. Ai Z, Cheng AF, Yu YT, Yu LJ, Jin W. Antidepressant-Like Behavioral, Anatomical, and Biochemical Effects of Petroleum Ether Extract from Maca(Lepidium meyenii) in Mice Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress. J Med Food. 2014 Apr 14. [↩]
8. Gonzales GF, Gonzales C, Gonzales-Castañeda C. Lepidium meyenii (Maca): a plant from the highlands of Peru-from tradition to science. Forsch Komplementmed. 2009 Dec;16(6):373-80. [↩]