~by Nikki

I have a secret. Come close so I can tell you.

I sometimes eat sugar in tiny amounts! Eek!

Not much of it though. Mostly because there is a specific chain of events that has to happen in order for me to not dump (or go into “carb coma”) as a result. I have to:

1. Eat a full meal first.
2. That meal has to be mainly protein.
3. That meal has to be nearly completely devoid of simple carbs.
4. I have to eat said sugar dessert immediately following said meal.

Which usually means I’m way full and can only eat a bite or two of something.

My “something” of choice? Chocolate. And not just any chocolate. I am a chocolate snob, so my choices to tend to be of the more expensive variety, which also helps me keep them squarely in the moderation column.

What does any of this have to do with a protein shake? I’m getting there, be patient!

The organization for which I work promotes Fair Trade (which is also a passion of mine). One way we do that is through a chocolate project that gives folks a chance to buy fairly traded chocolate bars. Well, two new flavors recently came out: dark chocolate with orange and ginger and milk chocolate with spiced cookies.

I already have a good chocolate/orange shake recipe that I am going to modify next week to include some ginger but for now let’s talk about the chocolate with spiced cookies.

Holy. COW!!!

It’s smells like a ginger snap but has that luscious hint of chocolate and mmmmm…cinnamon…it’s everything you like about the holidays in a chocolate bar. And I want more. But I cannot have more! So in these situations there’s really only one thing to do: make it into a protein shake! (Told you I was getting to it!)

So…for your culinary consideration…I am proud to present…

Nik’s Chocolate Spiced Cookie Protein Shake

1 c. milk (whatever kind you use)
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 tbsp baking cocoa (the chocolate bar was milk chocolate, but I like dark chocolate so that’s the kind I used)
1 tbsp sugar-free Davinci Gingerbread syrup
1 tbsp sugar-free Davinci Pumpkin pie syrup (go with it…it works)
Whippage (aka: whipped cream)

Optional: Dash of cinnamon for garnish

Directions: Make according to the Triple X method. Or not. Either way, it’s good! So go make it!!!