I don’t know about you, but I can’t start the day without a good cup of coffee. Not that I am a BIG coffee drinker, but I do need at least one cup as soon as I get out of bed, followed by another one a little later in the morning.

In fact, on week days, I drink my first cup of coffee while working out, and I often wonder if there are others like me out there. I mean, coffee isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of a refreshing drink to have during and intense work out…

I know, I’m weird sometimes… OK, make that often! 😉

Anywho, this here would be the ultimate post work-out smoothie for me, as it combines 2 of the things that I like the most in the morning: strong coffee and chocolate!

Oh, and it has hazelnut butter in it. What more could I ask for?

Need I tell you this is one of my favorites?

Like all smoothies, this one comes together in a breeze and is highly portable. However, it does require a little bit of thinking ahead, for it contains cold coffee and soaked hazelnuts. So if you intend to have one in the morning, you will have to make your coffee before going to bed this time, as opposed to after getting out of it!

While your coffee is brewing, toast a dozen hazelnuts and dump them in your cup of coffee when it’s ready. Leave that by the window (providing it’s somewhat cold outside) or put it in the fridge and it’ll be good and ready to use in the morning.

Of course, you could also keep that leftover coffee that you didn’t drink in the morning and use it the next day.

You might even make it a habit to brew a little bit more with that specific smoothie in mind…

INGREDIENTS
(Serves 1)

  • ¾ cup cold strong coffee
  • 12 toasted hazelnuts, soaked overnight
  • 100g silk tofu
  • ¼ cup 0% fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp hemp seeds
  • 2 tbsp extra dark cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp hazelnut butter
  • ½ ripe banana
  • 2 tbsp whey protein powder (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Add all the ingredients to your food processor and process until smooth.
  2. Transfer to glass (or cup!) and garnish with a chopped hazelnut.

Now you see it

Now you don’t…