Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

Smoothies are famous for their health-boosting effects, but what if you’re looking for something a little more decadent?

I have a recipe that will give you a little gourmet in your every day while keeping you on track with your health goals. This Chocolate Cherry Smoothie is the perfect blend of creamy chocolate, tangy cherry, and a pinch of Ceylon cinnamon. You can enjoy it guilt-free knowing all the ingredients are The Myers WayⓇ or AIP protocol-approved.

I call it my Chocolate Cherry Smoothie, and it’s irresistibly delectable. Before I started my healing journey, I used to love chocolate cherry cake. Now that I avoid the toxic ingredients in many of today’s desserts, I decided it was time to bring a healthy rendition of this delicious dessert to the table.

Not only does this make a great healthy dessert, but it’s also the perfect morning pick-me-up when you need to get out the door. Smoothies are easy and nutritious when following The Myers WayⓇ lifestyle.

The MyersⓇ Way Lifestyle

Once someone completes The MyersⓇ Way protocol, I get a lot of questions about what to do should do next. Should they return to how they used to eat or stick to the protocol for the rest of their lives?

It’s a question I love to hear, and I’ll tell you why. I call it The Myers Way® because it truly is a way of life. Once you complete your protocol, you get to do some of the most important work of the program — figuring out what this lifestyle looks like for you!

The 4 Pillars

What makes The Myers Way® unique? Time and time again, I’ve seen it relieve and reverse unpleasant and alarming health symptoms, can help you to finally get off harsh medications, and enable you to live a healthy, energetic, and pain-free life.

This approach rests on four pillars, each of which has been tested through extensive research:

Remove the bad – Eliminate factors that negatively affect the environment of the GI tract. These often include inflammatory and toxic foods, intestinal infections like yeast overgrowth, and SIBO. Most elimination periods range between two to eight weeks.
Restore what’s missing — As you remove the harmful factors, it’s important to add back in missing nutrients. Digestive enzymes and Gut Restore with Betaine HCL are key ingredients to support optimal digestion and nutrient absorption. These also assist your body’s intestinal repair and inflammation responses.
Reinoculate with healthy bacteria — In addition to enzymes, restoring beneficial bacteria with probiotics back into your microbiome helps re-establish a healthy balance of good bacteria. This facilitates healing in your gut.
Repair the gut — Providing nutrients is necessary to help the gut repair itself. L-glutamine is an amino acid that supports the gut lining. Drinking bone broth or collagen also aids in the repair of your gut. Supplementing with omega-3s, zinc, and herbs like slippery elm and aloe vera add additional support in gut repair.

Foods to Avoid & Enjoy

When undergoing a health transformation, following a strict diet for the first few weeks is important. This means there are foods you must avoid at all costs.

Foods to avoid during the elimination phase include:

Gluten (bread, pasta, cereal)
Grains (wheat, rye, barley, rice, millet, oats, corn and quinoa)
Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, peas, green beans, and other types of beans – red, white, black, and kidney)
Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and potatoes)
Sugar
Caffeine
Alcohol
GMOs
Eggs
Soy
Citrus
Dairy
Yeast
Artificial sweeteners
Additives, preservatives, and dyes
High fructose corn syrup
Trans or hydrogenated fats
All processed food, junk food, and fast foods

This may sound like a lot, but the good news is that you only can still enjoy quite a bit of great foods. During the elimination phase, feel free to feast on:

Most vegetables, except for nightshades
Most fruits, except for citrus
Grass-fed, pastured meat, and wild-caught fish
Dairy substitutes, such as coconut milk
Healthy fats, such as coconut oil and avocados
Spices and herbs
Green juices and smoothies
Herbal tea and water

Need a little extra guidance on what to eat and what to trash? Download my free guide Foods to Toss, Foods to Enjoy!

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Recipe

Thankfully, smoothies are great meal replacements that you can enjoy throughout any health transformation process. For this recipe, you only need a handful of items. The first ingredient is ice– and I always advocate filtered or distilled water for this.

Second, you’ll need The MyersⓇ Way Double Chocolate Paleo Protein to give you a full serving of pure protein and delicious chocolate. Next, you’ll want to add a scoop of my Collagen Powder for added skin, gut, and joint health. This gives it that smooth, creamy texture.

Many of the heavier smoothie recipes contain milk, but we’re going to use the gut-nourishing alternative – coconut milk. After this, you’re going to need the anti-inflammatory spice that’s been used for centuries to help balance blood sugar and add depth to any recipe: cinnamon!

Be sure to use organic ingredients in this recipe, especially the cherries and cinnamon. Commercially processed fruits and spices often contain pesticides and other toxic chemicals.

Unsweetened Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is one of those dairy alternatives that is great to enjoy as is or in baking! Unsweetened coconut milk can be a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which have been shown to help aid in healthy weight loss.

Don’t let the name fool you, coconut milk is actually nut-free. It’s also gluten-free, making it an excellent addition to AIP protocols.

When choosing coconut milk brands, remember to look at the labels. Many times there are added fillers and gums, which can offset your healing progress. Look for gum and filler-free brands, like Native Forest or Star Anise.

Frozen Cherries

You might be thinking, a cherry is a cherry, right? Not so! Believe it or not, there are around 50 different types of cherries out there. Cherries are a good source of fiber, and the red color indicates they are high in the antioxidant beta carotene.

From tart to sweet to dried, there are cherries for every occasion. For this recipe, you’re going to use frozen cherries, as this helps keep the smoothie chilled. It also helps with texture. Look for cherries that are a good mixture of sweet and tart, such as tulare, dark sweet, or sweetheart.

Remember, opt for organic options whenever possible. Cascadian Farms Organic and Simple Truth Organic offer wonderful varieties.

Ceylon Cinnamon Powder

You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of Ceylon cinnamon. Most people use the more common version of cinnamon in cooking, called cassia cinnamon.

What’s the difference? Besides a slight color difference (cassia is more of a reddish brown, while Ceylon is tan-brown), Ceylon has softer outer layers. Cassia has only a single, hard outer layer. Caylon is also more aromatic and offers a milder taste.

One of the reasons I recommend using Ceylon cinnamon is for its added health benefits. Not only does this version have a superior antioxidant profile, but it also offers manganese. This nutrient helps your body use enzymes to help repair bone tissue and regulate hormones (3).

Collagen Protein

Protein is critical for maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle, repairing tissue, and stabilizing your metabolism. Collagen is a type of protein found all over your body, but as you age the amount of collagen decreases.

Lower collagen levels can result in stiffer joints, signs of skin aging, lackluster hair, and a weaker gut lining. The MyersⓇ Way Collagen Protein helps replenish low collagen protein levels, helping you look and feel younger!

Double Chocolate Paleo Protein

Why use two types of protein? Think of it as a powerful nutrient punch you’ll thank yourself later for taking. This delicious Double Chocolate Paleo Protein is sourced from non-GMO, hormone and antibiotic-free, grass-fed beef. It also comes in hydrolyzed form, making it easy to digest and mix in your favorite drink.

How To Make The Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

This recipe is so easy, you’ll be amazed by how quickly it comes together. In your food processor, add ½ cup of ice, ½ cup of frozen cherries, and ½ cup of full-fat coconut milk.

Next, add one scoop of The MyersⓇ Way Collagen Protein and one scoop of Double Chocolate Paleo Protein. Make sure you don’t add the powder first, or you might get a poof in the air when you add your ice!

Lastly, add ¼ teaspoon of ground Ceylon cinnamon.

Using a low setting, combine all ingredients in your food processor and blend until smooth.

Pour into your favorite glass (or a to-go cup if you’re in a hurry) and enjoy!

The Final Word on Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

You’ve made the courageous choice to take your health back, and you’re doing all you can to stay on track. Smoothies are scrumptious and easy to make, especially if you feel like you’re getting into a rut. This decadent recipe shakes things up quite nicely.

Less is more when it comes to your health. When it comes to busy schedules, it’s even more important to have quick, healthy meal ideas on hand. This chocolate cherry smoothie recipe uses simple ingredients you can whip up in less than 5 minutes.
As with all recipes, keep organic ingredients top of mind. This will do your gut, immune system, and skin a world of good. I’ve made it even easier with my Double Chocolate Paleo Protein and The MyersⓇ Way Collagen Protein.