Ultra Rich Vegan Chocolate Shake

After yesterday's delicious meal and knowing what great potential lies dormant in my kitchen, I am raising my standards a bit : )

My next contribution to the vegan blogosphere:

Ultra Rich Vegan Chocolate Shake

1 cup unsweetened almond or soy milk

3-4 ice cubes

1 banana

2 dates, pitted

2-4 tablespoons raw cacao powder (to taste)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon chia seeds (wouldn't be my recipe if it didn't have redundant nutritional elements--but it also thickens it)

Blend everything until the dates are shredded to bits. Taste and adjust if necessary.

Comments: Now, granted, I haven't had a "real" milkshake in ages, but for vegan stuff this shake hit home. This was my entire lunch and I don't feel guilty about it. I could have added some spirulina or steamed spinach to add some nutrition and I don't think it would have impacted the flavor too much. Next time I might use only half a banana and a little nut butter, or only nut butter. It was pretty banana-y.