[Recipe] "Coach Harry's Theory" (WFPB Chocolate Protein Shake)

Ingredients

• 1 can or two cups cooked cannellini or navy beans (navy preferred)
• non-dairy milk (i use homemade almond/hemp or cashew)
• 3 Tbsp cacao powder
  
• 1-3 dates and/or banana (i tend to do 1 date and 1 banana)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1/2 Tbsp unsalted peanut butter
• frozen spinach (or other greens) (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the beans to your blender
2. Pour enough milk to cover the beans
3. add cacao powder, sweetener (dates and/or banana)
4. if using, add the vanilla, peanut butter, and spinach
5. blend!
6. add more milk to adjust the shake to your desired consistency and texture
   

Why Coach Harry Likes Them

I've been searching for an easy way to get some additional protein and calories to help keep me fueled, growing, and recovering adequately between strength and BJJ training sessions. Sometimes it's too late to eat a full meal, since I want to go to bed on an empty stomach and I don't have time to wait for a batch of Soy Curl Jerky to finish dehydrating. One day recently, I theorized (hence the name of the recipe) that blending some bland beans (no shade, cannellini and navy beans!) with some stronger flavors (cacao, peanut butter, vanilla) would adequately mask the flavor of the beans. We add the dates and/or banana as some added sweetness to help it go down with optional frozen greens for an added phyto-chemical boost! 

So far, I'd say I feel my "theory" is well-supported; my shakes have been filling the dietary niche I need them too and I feel I'm recovering better in time for my next session.

This recipe boasts over 30g of protein and almost 40g of fiber - but it is relatively high in calorie, so be sure to only use it as a supplement, if you need additional protein, fiber, and calories.