Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake - Crazy Cooking Challenge

This is my first time participating in the Crazy Cooking Challenge at Mom's Crazy Cooking. I was a little hesitant, being so new to blogging and not really knowing what to do. Truth be told, I've learned a lot ... and I am continuing to learn a whole lot more! I am excited to see how my first link-up goes and may participate in more Cooking Challenge's in the future! 


This month's theme is fruit smoothies/shakes. It seemed like a pretty easy challenge to get in on ... and then I realized ... there are like a bazillion fruit smoothie and shake recipes online! How in the world am I going to narrow this down?!? After days (literally) of searching high and low, I found the perfect recipe to try - Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake by Budget Gourmet Mom! When I saw Krista's shake, I knew that was the one I was going to use. I like her recipe for a couple of reasons ... One, it has chocolate! Winning! Two, it seemed like I could easily adapt other fruits and yogurt flavors in the future. I can't even remember the last time I had a shake or smoothie before this. Years, probably! I don't even know why I don't make them ... I like them, I just "forget" about them! I think after this Cooking Challenge experience, I will have fruit smoothies and shakes a little more often than every two or three years! ;) I found a ton of recipes I want to try! (To see some of the recipes, click my Beverage/Drink board on Pinterest.)


When looking over Krista's recipe, I did have to Google "Nature's Sunshine Smartmeal Chocolate", because I had no idea what that was. When I saw what it was, I had no intention of spending $20-35 for a bag of this stuff. I didn't have any other protein powder on hand and really didn't want to buy something I may never use again .... I had some Nestle Nesquik Chocolate Powder Flavored Milk Additive (you can pick this up at most regular grocery stores near the hot chocolate) so I decided to use that. I used chocolate milk instead of regular milk (I never drink milk - ever ... chocolate-flavored was the only way it was going in my shake). Everything else, I kept the same.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Shake
Slightly adapted from Budget Gourmet Mom
Printable recipe
Yield: 1 serving


2 scoops Nature's Sunshine SmartMeal Chocolate (I used the
     one-serving equivalent of Nestle Nesquick Chocolate 
     Powder Flavored Milk Additive)
1 cup skim milk (I used chocolate milk)
6 oz. low-fat strawberry yogurt
1/2 banana
4-5 frozen strawberries


Place all ingredients in a large blender and blend until completely mixed and frothy. Pour into a glass and enjoy!


This was quite yummy! Even without the protein powder, I felt full. Thanks for a great recipe Krista! You can find her blog HERE. Stop by and check out all her yummy stuff. :)

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