Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach: Chocolate Smoothie

[MINDWISEMAN]

Gota try this one. Do you use the cashews for thickening consistency and because they have a mild non overpowering creamy flavour. Also is powder better to use than the expensive chocolate flakey/particle type. Thanks

[zestrus11]

that is WAY too many cashews karen. way too much fat! they say raw foodists diets are 60% fat. Eat only a small handfuls of nuts and seeds per day no more!

[karenknowler]

@zestrus11 This makes a lot of smoothie and I am not saying drink it all in one day (or to live off it). I love it when people speak to me as if I don't know what I'm talking about. I've been teaching this stuff for 12 years : ) This is a recipe demo, not a lesson in how many nuts to eat (or not eat). OK, done now ; )

[midcitygym]

@zestrus11 It's more than 1 serving, Duh, - dont like the recipe?, make your own vid now go away.

[RawClorophile]

an example of perfection Just great ! Thank you Karen !

[Jemmeh]

For those in the US; I buy Blue Diamond almond milk ( I can get it at Walmart and Ingles easily) because it's pretty cheap. (Almonds + water is more expensive and time consuming) You could probably use that for this; I know it makes some awesome chocolate milk :)

[CoachU2Health]

Have you heard of shakeology before? I use it in my chocolate smoothies..yummo

[Schlockenstinker]

OK, thanks. I'll let you know what I find.

[Schlockenstinker]

Karen, there are so many different sources of chocolate powder. I'm not sure which to choose. I found a source at the Santa Barbara Chocolate Co. for Bali raw cacao coco powder for $10.00 per pound.

[karenknowler]

@Schlockenstinker As you are in the US there are brands there that I have never heard of, let alone tried, so I cannot recommend "the best" as I don't know what it is. I guess you will have fun finding out : )

[Nickytailor]

Hi Karen, where do I get this chocolate powder ?,,,I imagine is a special one. I'll appreciate your help :)

[thatstheguy07]

Do the pits from the dates get right up? Also, chocolate protein powder would be good for this eh?

[karenknowler]

@thatstheguy07 Not sure what you mean about the pits? Just remove them : ) Yes you could use the CPP for sure. Enjoy!

[thatstheguy07]

@karenknowler Well I noticed you threw the dates in whole. They have pits dont they? So was just wondering if the blender just blends them right up? Then again Ive only had dates a cpl times in my life... perhaps they dont even have pits?? lol

[karenknowler]

@thatstheguy07 Oh I thought I had mentioned that on the vid, but I see not now. Yes always remove the pitts or an unhappy (and damaged) blender you will have.

[thatstheguy07]

@karenknowler haha ok, thanks! :)

[loraxpro]

Your accent and your face are totally cute! :o)

Thanks for the easy shake recipe and the frozen chocolate is a great idea too!

[stillhavehope77]

Wow that was awesome, and I love your accent. I need to get a good blender like yours any suggestions? what's better to buy a blender or juicer?

[karenknowler]

@stillhavehope77 Both have benefits and it is hard to choose between them honestly. A blender is more versatile, but ideally you'd own both.

[glittered453]

i luv you for this, some people seem to strain the nut milk even for a smoothie but i think it's very nutritous to keep it in

[frankbooth64]

Are comments moderated? Testing.

[karenknowler]

Yes! Not all of them are, how shall I put it....? ...repeatable.

[frankbooth64]

Just another side benefit of having a healthy body!

[frankbooth64]

"There's lots of research that points out the numerous negative side effects of cacao"

Reply: "Yes, which is why I see it as a transitional "tool" for getting people into raw food and I rarely eat it myself : )"

What?! Please elaborate. I feel like I'm being constantly bombarded with contradictory information.

[karenknowler]

I believe that it is addictive and not as great as it is purported to be, HOWEVER, many people like to eat it for emotional/pleasure reasons and modify usage to suit. This is not contradictory information, this is humans being human : )

[frankbooth64]

If it's as full of antioxidants as they say, that's the kind of addiction I can live with. (Especially compared to some of the ones I used to have, ha ha.) I've also heard it referred to as a stimulant, a statement which I find vague. But is there any more specific data on its alleged harmful effects?

[karenknowler]

@frankbooth64 A google search should give you a few things to be getting on with.

[Pnkbong]

I have started a raw vegetable diet last August and I have lost 25 pounds so far.

[enriquepascal]

Great video coach.

[rocky038]

it says your 37 you look like your 17 and your hot is that what happens when you eat raw

[choicesdefineus]

shes 37 !!!?

[Nightyme2002]

Heya, cheers for the video.. Going to buy my blender tomorrow!! Can't wait to try these smoothies! Just checked your website too, Happy Birthday! Keep up the good work!

[YoJewMama]

How about adding banana to this as well for the sweet? Going to try this right now. I'm definitely a new fan! <3

[B00B0000]

there's lots of research that points out the numerous negative side effects of cacao

[karenknowler]

Yes, which is why I see it as a transitional "tool" for getting people into raw food and I rarely eat it myself : )

[rockwaterman]

Exactly what is the chocolate powder? It looks like Ovaltine.

What exactly should I be shopping for?

[karenknowler]

It's called cacao. It might be sold under "raw chocolate powder" or "cacao powder" - where in the world are you? That will make a difference as where/how to get it.

[rockwaterman]

Thanks, Karen. I'm in Sacramento, so I should be able to get it at the Co-op or Whole foods here. I just didn't know what was meant by chocolate powder; to a novice like me that could have meant Nestle's Quick or something equally horrific.

[isaachaze1]

lol, i shop at the food co-op too on alhambra blvd. i don't think i've seen cacao powder there though. it might be in the bins with the nuts and stuff? i'm a novice too, but getting into raw foods. karen's awesome

[PenelopeRose238]

I honestly figured you were in your early 20's!

[Alanik22]

I tried milk before but it was YUK! I have not had cows milk for a month now and my health has improved.

I tried rice milk and it was ok... water is definitely better!

Do you know how to keep raw chocolate (homemade) bars from melting so quickly?

:)

PS: thx for the fresh network tip ;)

[12MuSiClOvEr06]

BTW Karen, instead of water, can I use milk?

[karenknowler]

Yes, but it might be a bit sickly... nut milk is better

[12MuSiClOvEr06]

i was sipping my smoothie when i was watching this... and this video made me hungry 2 drink karen's smoothie

[Alanik22]

where do you buy your choc powder Karen?

[karenknowler]

The Fresh Network : )

[fishandfestival]

Mmmm, that looks delicious, and the smoothie doesn't look bad either.

[dscglfr00]

I cant wait to taste one of these! thanks karen!

[lowc130]

Karen, I just looked at your profile and saw that you are 36! When I first saw your video, I thought you were no older than 25!!. You look very young compared to the 36 year olds I know! Wow, just goes to show you how good raw food is for the skin not to mention your whole body!

[karenknowler]

Thanks. I may have been 34 or 35 when this was filmed ; ) But yes, if you keep your bloodstream clean it's amazing what myths can be busted!

[mbrook73]

Off to make this right now...

[cflo1129]

A hot girl that knows how to get creative with chocolate!!! I love you!!

[darkhaze74]

she is a love angel...

[Subutubiata]

What kind of blender is that you're using, my little cacoa flavoured love angel?

[karenknowler]

Haha, that's funny. It's a Vitamix.

[DylanAngel2001]

Enjoying your videos! Quick question, I'm in the US so would unsweetened cocoa powder work for the chocolate by chance? Thanks!

[karenknowler]

You can probably get raw choc powder more easily than us Brits! The cocoa powder would work but it's not raw...

[leoca]

do you know the calorie amount of that?

[karenknowler]

Sorry no, but you can certainly make it low calorie by thinning out the nut milk or using just water.

[jimscalade]

Karen, you need to soak raw nuts to neutralize the phytic acids.

[karenknowler]

Soaking is better but not imperative.

[karenknowler]

See comments above for suppliers : )

[annabelle212]

Karen - I just saw this for the first time and want to try it. What kind of "chocolate powder" is it? I will try it first thing after I find out about what type of powder it is! Sounds great!

[tracie329]

I can't wait until my vitamix gets here. Your video was easy to follow and I love the additional information on what to do with leftovers. Great idea!!

[Siddysilly]

Hi Karen, love the videos, a few things i wanna ask,

where can i get a nut milk strainer? And where do you buy your nuts? Do you get them in bulk?

[karenknowler]

Nut milk strainer - try The Fresh Network, ditto for nuts.

[meadowview300]

are the nuts salted?

[karenknowler]

No way! Raw, unsalted.

[Mongodelight]

According to my information source freezing destroys 30-60% of the enzymes. Nuts and seeds can stand it better. But i dont know if thats also the same when they re already blended. Dont think so.

[lightofdamon]

I love your videos

Thank you

[adz4style]

I failed to concentrate properly, kept lookin at you rather than the recipe.

That's a compliment by the way.

Understood completely after the fourth viewing.

[karenknowler]

Yes, this can occur, but very lightly. To get around this you can lay a sheet of baking parchment or similar on top and then lift that off, together with the crystals, early into freezing.

[bentleyjazzie]

Work it. Own it. You're doing quite the bang up job, Karen. Bravo. Lovely jersey top. Form-fitting and beautiful. Looks to be very cozy. A bit distracting for a certain segment of your viewing audience, however....

[karenknowler]

I don't know what those are, but if they have a mildish taste they should be fine.

[strangeloved]

can i switch the cashews with california nuts?

cashews are kinda pricey over here, at least for a poor student like me hehe :)

[mokugin81]

i like this girl.. she sounds sweet.. i love the cacao smoothie!!but i like using rice milk(i know its not raw!!) blended with banana dry coconut and cacao powder!!oh it does taste great!!perfect after a workout!!! loving it a lot!! see you somewhere.. Andrea from Lewisham, London

[zutekeela]

hi Karen , love your videos, I bought your book, an want to get into the green raw foods, the past 2 months I have been eating fruit and drinking smoothies, an a few salads, thanks for such inspiring teaching

[crazeegirl4life]

oh my gosh!!! This is just great! i luv it! I'm soooooo gonna do this! I love the taste of chocolate, but just don't want to eat that conventional processed, crappy chocolate anymore! This will definitely be my 'chocolate craving buster' without all the bad fatty crap! :) Thanku!

[LilRed1213]

haha cup of nuts!!

(inside joke)

[piscopokiki]

great recipes!!! Malta is too far behind in the raw departament!!! We need people like you here!!! :)

[Ronniedasmoker]

i am from uk aswell

[shestudios]

Anyone know if she soaked the cashews first?

[karenknowler]

No I didn't, but you could if you wanted to.

[shestudios]

Thank you.

[meemooh1992]

u saved ma ass gurl

thx alot!

[allblacks1235]

cool

[VanceMarks]

great video!

[elkubabe]

your hot

[freedomsadvocate07]

Agreed.

[tuajvk]

Great idea! Have you thought about writing a "Raw Food" book? You definitely have an ability to communicate to the public.

[karenknowler]

Thank you : )I already have one but there's more on thier way. See web site!

[tuajvk]

There is so much publicity globally on getting the public to think green. The Raw Food diet is definitely more effecient (green) and significantly less wastelful (green) along with being more healthy. I look forward to seeing more of your videos in the future:)

Have you thought about speaking on the campus of Cambridge or Oxford University? They would have a receptive audience with their unique student population. Their demographics might be perfect.

[pepperchinni]

thank you so much for you work. i love all your recipes and enjoy making them myself.

[bypetual]

Love your videos and receipes, you do a great job coaching, thank you for sharing, hope you will do lots more of these, I'm just learning this way of "uncooking" and your help is much appreciated, keep up the good work!

[dougiewylie]

you are sooooo cute

[thrivesurvive]

thank you very much :)

[karenknowler]

I do on some of the other video comments lists... so I shall keep it short: Nuts - nice to have them pre-soaked, and yes, better for you, but if you don't have them then use normal dry nuts and add extra water to recipe. K

[ahernster]

Hey nice videa :) Are those cashews raw? if so where do you buy them? Ive seen some on the net, but abit pricey!

Keep up the good work

[karenknowler]

I use normal cashews, personally I don't get too hung up about raw nuts being strictly raw, besides some will sprout even if they aren't labelled raw : ) Good quality is what counts most to me, but I fully appreciate the difference between those hand shelled truly raw cashews, they are in a different league!

[Luciane5]

Amasing!! Thank you so much for all these yummy recepies!! Just one question: I noticed that you don't say anything about soaking nuts... I often make almond milk but the recepies always say to soak overnight. ?????

[GypsyArdor]

This is another recipe that my daughter makes from one of your recipe books. We use carob powder, instead. She sometimes makes this for her friends when they are visiting, so she can share fun raw foods with them and they will see there's nothing so strange about it at all! ;-) Thanks for sharing, Karen. Lots of love to you, Gypsy

[ddongssin]

I like your British Accent! WATER~! ha ha ha.

[karenknowler]

I get mine from The Fresh Network (UK) currently. The one in the clip is from Nature's First Law.

[sunshinegrl2007]

Question- What is the chocolate powder you use?

[karenknowler]

You could use ice, but it might be a bit gloopy... have never tried. I am guessing that half ice half water would work better... Let me know!

[thelightbeyond]

I made this and it was FABULOUS. Better not make it too often!

[apeskinheart]

I think you can drink as much as you want. It doesn't produce toxins in the body so they don't get stored in fat cells - therefore you don't get fat. I know a 95% raw guy who says he drinks pints of this stuff (with a lot more ingredients in as well). He's 9 stone.

[kvanheezik]

what would happen if the water was replaced with ice?

[pureyoga2007]

very nice!