There are benefits of chocolate.

The focus is on something called flavonoids, which appear to help in heart health.

This is all good news since I am a chocolate shake junky.

The trouble is that typical shakes are really bad for me, so I've come up with a recipe that is low fat and low in calories (about 250) and HUGE on good taste.

If you'd prefer a fruit shake, not to worry. I've got you covered. Let me know what you think.

Loren's chocolate shake

8 oz low fat soy milk

1 banana

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon bee pollen

1 tablespoon flax seed oil

1 scoop (a heaping tablespoon) protein powder (non sweetened)

2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (adjust to personal taste)

5 packets or 1 teaspoon of Splenda (adjust to personal taste)

3 cups of crushed ice

Blend it until it's smooth and creamy. This is enough for 2 or 3 people and is about 300 calories in total, and is loaded with vitamins, and minerals. It’s as close to a real milk shake as you can get and keeps me full until lunch time. It goes great with a cup of coffee. Having this for breakfast, limiting portion size at lunch and dinner and working out 3 or 4 times a week has helped me lose weight slowly and steadily. Trouble is I've been waking up earlier and earlier craving my shake. You're going to love it. Susie and the kids all gather around in the morning when they hear me start the blender. Let me know what you think.

Bee pollen benefits http://www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com/bee-pollen-benefits.html
Flax seed oil benefits http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/flaxseed.htm
Soy milk benefits http://www.healthcastle.com/benefitsofsoy_heart.shtml
Protein powder benefits http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-protein-powder.htm
Splenda information http://www.slashfood.com/2006/04/01/splenda-products-can-claim-health-benefits/
Cocoa powder benefits http://www.healthcastle.com/chocolate-cocoa-benefits.shtml
What about banana benefits http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/bananabenefits.htm
Ice benefits ....well it helps with your 8 glasses of water a day I guess.

ENJOY!