Chocolate Almond Smoothie

• 1 ripe fresh or frozen banana, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
• 6 ounces vanilla yogurt
• 3/4 cup vanilla soy milk, rice milk or almond milk (more or less to taste)
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon finely ground flax seed
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (more or less to taste)
• 1 tablespoon chocolate protein powder (optional)
• 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional)

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and whirl at top speed for about 1 minute or until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy. When making fruit smoothies, adding ice to the blender is a matter of personal choice. If you are using frozen fruit in place of fresh fruit you may choose to omit the ice.