This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Nestle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BreakfastEssentials http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV.
A quick and easy healthy breakfast smoothie that tastes just like a chocolate covered strawberry! This Dark Chocolate Strawberry Breakfast Smoothie will rock your world!
Is anyone else like super-ridiculously-overly happy that the weather is getting warmer and that it's light out both when you wake up AND when you get out of work? This type of weather makes me want to get outside and go for a run.
But then I remember how much I don't like running.
That's Asheley's thing. And I'm not the type of guy to intrude on her thing. That would just be rude.
I do try to get moving a bit more in these warmer months. And once in awhile, I'll even go for a run. A short run. But a run nonetheless. And really, I'll go for a run just so I can come home and have a breakfast smoothie. It's my motivation and reward for getting my behind in gear.
Anyone else semi-obsessed with chocolate covered strawberries? I could easily down two (dozen) of them without coming up for air. I go all Homer Simpson style up on them. It's not pretty, but it sure is enjoyable.
Enjoyable on my part. Not the people watching me inhale them.
So when I was picking up Carnation Breakfast Essentials at Walmart the other day, I knew I wanted to try a chocolate flavor. I could totally hide my chocolate covered strawberry obsession under the guise of "being healthy and having a smoothie". Asheley wouldn't know what hit her.
But then I saw all the different flavors they offer. Milk and dark chocolate. French vanilla. Strawberry. And even chocolate malt. I couldn't just try one flavor. I wanted them all.
Ah, the variety pack. Gosh I love the invention of the variety pack. I'm a big fan of flavor diversification.
If you want to enter glorious smoothie overload, there's a whole lot more recipes to keep your breakfast routine busy for weeks. I'm thinking of trying the Peach Melba or PB&J one next.
Super convienient. Maximum nutrition (21 vitamins and minerals, and a good amount of protein and calcium). That's my type of breakfast.
Oh, and be smart. Use this Walmart Coupon to grab yourself a nifty little discount on Carnation Breakfast Essentials.
Dark Chocolate Strawberry Breakfast Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 (or 1 large smoothie) 1x
Ingredients
- 1 packet Dark Chocolate Carnation Breakfast Essentials Complete Nutritional Drink
- 1 (5.3 ounce) container strawberry Greek yogurt (about ½-⅔ cup)
- 1 quart strawberries, hulled and frozen
- ½ cup milk or unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Let frozen strawberries soften slightly (you can speed this up by microwaving for a few seconds).
- Combine the Dark Chocolate Carnation Breakfast Essentials packet, strawberry Greek yogurt, frozen strawberries, and milk in a blender on high speed until smooth. Divide between two glasses and enjoy.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
Layla says
This smoothie looks so yummy! it looks so cool and refreshing. I will be sure to try out the breakfast essentials! Thanks for the code! 🙂
Chris says
Thanks Layla!
cookingmommy says
This is an absolutely beautiful smoothie, Thank you for the beautiful pictures and clear instructions. I made your smoothie this morning because I had a bunch of strawberries, it came out incredible, perfect for a mom on the go. We are going to do your recipe Saturday for our dieting group. Berries are incredible.
Chris says
Thanks so much for the kind words! Hope everyone in your dieting group enjoys it!
Sandra says
Whoa...nice smoothie...and WHOA new blog page! Very nicely done 🙂 And chocolate covered strawberries...hell yeah!!!
Chris says
Haha thanks Sandra! I'm glad you like the new digs!
Melanie says
Of course I love this. It's got chocolate and strawberries. What's not to love???
Have a wonderful day Chris!
Chris says
Exactly! Chocolate and strawberries are like my fave combo ever!
Natalie says
Chocolate for breakfast? Yes please! This could almost be a milkshake, but much healthier : )
Chris says
Hahaha yup it's almost decadent enough to be a milkshake! Anytime I can have chocolate for breakfast is a win in my book 🙂
ami says
I am going to make this soon!! Need to buy strawberries!
Chris says
Yes, it's strawberry season!!!
Tina says
(1) This smoothie looks amazing and I am definitely going to try it ASAP. (2) Thanks for your comment on my caramel post! B/c I am a complete spazz, I accidentally hit "permanently delete" instead of "approve" when reading it on my iPhone, so...yeah. Thank goodness I got to read your nice message before my fingers lost control of themselves! Thanks for reading my blog post - I love your photos (drool) and I'm so happy we have discovered each others' blogs too!
Sarah says
Stop being such a hater, Tina. Just accept the love! Geeeeeeeeeeeeeez. 😉
Also, mail two packages of caramels - one to Chris and one to me. kthnx.
xoxo.
Tina says
I already told you Sarah - no caramels for you unless you visit me!
Chris says
Oh snap... commenting fight on Shared Appetite!
Chris says
Hahaha, you're so funny! I, too, am a complete spazz sometimes, so I can totally relate 🙂
Ashley says
I can't get enough smoothie recipes right now - they are all I want at the moment for breakfast! Probably due to the 90 degree weather we've been having down here. It's crazy - I'm not ready for that much heat yet!! haha
Chris says
Hahaha it seems like you guys down there went from snow and ice to 90!!!
Ceara says
Haha, I love everything about strawberries dipped in chocolate - especially for breakfast! This looks like such a decadent and delicious breakfast! 🙂
Chris says
Exactly my thinking Ceara! Thanks so much!
Sarah says
Oh man, it's been SO WARM here. And by warm I mean: too darn hot. The Bay Area doesn't know what to do with warm weather and few people have AC - so it was 85 degrees in the coolest part of our house yesterday. 85!! I used it as an excuse NOT to run 😉
Sure could use a chilled chocolate strawberry smoothie to cool off! Yum yum.
Chris says
Hahaha, I pretty much use anything and everything as an excuse not to run!
Shashi says
I must admit - I would not have picked up a Carnation essentials nutrition drink pack had I not seen this recipe - as a fellow ugly-eater-of-chocolate-covered-strawberries, this chocolate drink / strawberry yogurt combo so totally intrigues me!
p.s. Congrats on your second hand modeling gig! 🙂
Chris says
Hahaha, see, I totally have a future in hand modeling!!!
Mike says
Okay man, sit down, I need to give you a stern talking to.
What's with this "I don't like to run" thing?
As a wolf, how do you expect to hunt without running?
Those antilopes, wildebeest, rabbits, etc. run like hell.
You can't possibly expect me to do all the running while you sit and enjoy the show!
So, inhale one of those fantastic choc-strawberries smoothies and start running. RIGHT.NOW.
Chris says
I know Mike, I know. I disappoint you Alpha, and for that I am ashamed. I am a disgrace to all fellow wolves. hahaha
Tina says
I love that it's getting warmer out. I guess I'm more like you wife in that I actually enjoy running so it's been nice to get back to that routine.
I love smoothies, especially after a workout, and this looks delicious and refreshing. 🙂
Beth says
This smoothie looks fantastic! Such a delicious thing to wake up to in the morning. Love that you disguised the chocolate with some healthier stuff. That's my favorite way to eat healthy things. 🙂 I see the hand modeling is still going strong!
Alyssa says
Dark chocolate covered strawberries in a glass? Sign me up! Yum!
Kelly - LEFT SIDE OF THE TABLE says
Haha I like that you will run for a smoothie! I used to hate to run, now I love it. I think the trick is to not make it a chore so to speak. Just go for a run. No distance in mind. No time in mind. No specific speed. Maybe then you'll like it? Maybe not! I love choc covered strawberries SO SO much. This smoothie sounds like a wonderful combination and a snap to make. Thanks Chris!
Chris says
That's a good idea... just run without a goal in mind. I'm going to try it... after having one more smoothie 😉
Kathy says
Looks divine Chris. Anything with chocolate and strawberries is good in my book.
Chris says
Amen to that!
Christine says
yum this sounds delicious Chris, what a great quick & easy breakfast!! and yea, I go on short "runs" too... usually to my neighborhood bar.
Chris says
Hahahahahaha you crack me up. Best comment ever
Shelley says
Do you see me raising my hand??? Me, me, me!!! I'm also TOTALLY super-ridiculously-overly happy that the weather is getting warmer! The sun is shining in my little corner of Ohio this morning (I'd kinda forgotten what it looked like ...), so it is for sure time to break out the smoothie recipes! This looks absolutely delicious ... can't go wrong with chocolate-covered-strawberry (or, well ... pretty much chocolate-covered-anything! :D). Yum!
Chris says
Yay for warm weather smoothie time!! Hahaha agreed, chocolate covered anything is fantastic!
Nicole says
Wow! I had to do a double take to make sure I was at the right site. I like the new look! I also like the look of this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie! I'd run to get this smoothie too ... maybe 😉
Chris says
Hahaha thanks Nicole! I'm digging the new look too! Hahaha maybe a run... ehh, tomorrow.
Allison says
There is no better breakfast than the almighty smoothie! This looks filling, and delicious. Also, anything that tastes like a chocolate-covered strawberry sounds like my kind of drink.
Chris says
Totally agreed... love breakfast smoothies in these warm spring and summer months! ...especially love when they taste like a chocolate covered strawberry!
Angie ( says
I am SOLD. Must make this for the breakfast tomorrow. So creamy and yum!
Chris says
Thanks Angie!
Cindy says
I love that you are so kind not to intrude on Asheley's running time. Good guy 😀 I too am happy we have more daylight. Although, when I say it's dinner time, my son thinks it is too early because the sun is still out. Apparently, you can only have dinner after the sun has set.
This smoothie looks delicious and so smooth. You know how I love a good smoothie! Thanks for another great recipe 😀
Chris says
Hahaha, that's just the type of guy I am. 😉 Hahaha, looks like you're going to be eating dinner at like 9pm soon!
Kristine says
I love any excuse to make chocolate acceptable for breakfast! This smoothie looks so pretty and delicious. And it's hard to beat a good chocolate covered strawberry! Pinned!
Chris says
Me too, me too! Chocolate for breakfast makes for one happy house!
Kelly says
This looks so delicious and the perfect way to start the day- strawberries and chocolate! Plus, it's healthy! Yum!! Thanks for sharing!
Chris says
Thanks so much Kelly! I can't think of any other better way to start the day... I mean chocolate for breakfast. Yes please!
Cate says
Chocolate for breakfast, and it is healthy? I'm so in!!! This would definitely motivate me to get in a morning run!!
Chris says
My thoughts exactly. Chocolate for breakfast = best day ever
Kelly says
This smoothie looks wonderful and the perfect motivation after a run 🙂 Love the pretty color from the strawberries and there's chocolate too? Count me in 🙂
Chris says
Hahaha it almost is even to get me running, too! Almost...
Derek The Zen Chef says
Hi Chris, I am so glad to have just found your site. You do a great job here AND you have a Y chromosome to boot! I'll be following / linking your site for sure. And by the way, thanks for the smoothie idea; I am an addict and have them every morning!
Best,
DH
Chris says
Hahaha yes fellow dude food bloggers!!! We do exist!