It’s hot outside and when it’s hot I want smoothies, iced coffee, and frappuccinos. I’m thinking I don’t have to point out that repeated$6 dollar purchases of such items add up and get expensive quick. Plus, the calorie and sugar load for a Venti is around 370 and 80grams of sugar, at Starbucks. EIGHTY GRAMS OF SUGAR, why does everything that is good have to be so bad? Well, the light version is a bit more diet friendly, it clocks in at around 200 calories and 40grams of sugar for a Venti. It still cost like 6 bucks though and lacks on protein so it pretty much does nothing for workout recovery or refueling after a summer morning workout. (Why am I mentioning the largest size they have? On a hot summer day I want a Venti, it’s like 60 cents more and I want it. #onlychild The point of the story is I got sick of craving Frappuccinos, paying to much for them and getting no nutritional bang for my buck so I decided to attempt to make one at home. It took some prep work, I had to have some chilled coffee and coffee ice cubes ready to go but after that I was good to go. (I usually just brew coffee really strong and stick in Mason Jars in the fridge, some if it I drink and some turns into to coffee ice cubes. I really want to tackle cold brewing though, it seems really easy.) The trick was learning how to sweeten them without sugar, that’s where natures candy come in. Mr. Hungry says they look like bugs whenever he sees them on the counter, but don’t be fooled dates are literally natures candy. The only natural dried fruit they add a sweet caramel taste to anything they are used in, including coffee! Plus they come with a mini nutrient and fiber punch, so you can feel good about indulging in them.
We used to start our Saturday mornings with a run to Dutch Brothers or Starbucks but now we pocket the 6 bucks and the welcome in nutrition/caffeine bang. Note if you are using a reader (like feedly) make sure you click through to get the recipe!!!
Chocolate Coffee Protein
Ingredients
- 1 cup iced coffee
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk unsweetened
- 1 cup coffee ice cubes
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 dates
- 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
- Add extra sweetener or more chocolate if desired, but no necessary.
Notes
*Nutrition facts will change based on your type of protein powder, mine had 100 calories per scoop and 20g of protein.
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