Sun Protective Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

Jolene Hart gave us this recipe, and wow are we glad she did. Something about cherries are indulgent, rich & oh-so perfect for the red & pink vibe of Valentine's Day. Cherries might not be in season, but frozen cherries do just fine for this recipe & bring us back to long summer filled days. 

Jolene loves this recipe for cherrie's photochemical quercetin which helps defend against UVB damage. Furthering the science behind this delicious treat Jolene says, "For a change of pace from your green smoothie, I created this creamy, sweet— and sun protective— Cherry Chocolate Smoothie that's filled with skin-friendly ingredients (and not a bit of added sugar). Beyond their sun defensive qualities, cherries reduce inflammation in the body, calm redness in the skin and fight allergies. Raw cacao power (an even more beautifying alternative to regular cocoa powder) also protects skin from UV damage, reduces redness and boosts skin hydration. It's also rich in sulfur, a beauty mineral that supports strong hair, nails and skin. As a bonus, cacao raises levels of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins in the brain, making you happy! And the gluten free oats and hemp seeds also give your skin a boost, with plenty of plant-based protein, beauty minerals that support skin elasticity (in the oats), and skin-friendly fats (in the hemp seeds).

Sun Protective Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

This sweet smoothie is packed with top energy foods like cacao and hemp, along with a phytonutrient boost from cherries and cacao that increases the body’s natural UV defense.

Serves 1

• 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1 cup pitted organic sweet cherries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/3 cup gluten free whole oats
• 1 tbsp shelled hemp seeds
• 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
• few drops almond extract (optional)
• small handful ice cubes

& Viola! Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender until smooth. Serve immediately.  To find even more delicious recipes & learn more about the amazing Jolene Hart see her website here .