*Affiliate disclosure. 

I didn’t have the most sophisticated palate when I was little. I pretty much only ate peanut butter, hot dogs with ketchup, pasta with margarine (not butter), and white bread. But it was my sweet tooth that was truly unrivaled. I sprinkled my cereal with white sugar and scraped it from the bottom of the bowl when I was done. And my love of chocolate knew no bounds. One year, I may or may not have stolen too many chocolates from the Easter basket in my house, hid them in my white jogging pants’ pockets, forgot about them, and had to deal with the mess of melted chocolate all over my thighs.

As you can imagine, when it came to dessert, I was a purist. Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. And I thought that anyone who mixed chocolate with anything besides peanut butter and crispy rice was absolutely out of their mind. Raspberry and chocolate? Don’t even. Chocolate and orange? Barf!

Since I’m no longer 10 (or even 20) years old, however, I have discovered the wonderful world of things you can mix with chocolate. And while I haven't quite come around to the idea of combining chocolate and orange, it turns out it pairs quite nicely with more than just a jar of peanut butter. And best of all? It doesn't have to be unhealthy to be delicious.

Enter: this chocolate shake recipe – the healthy answer to your chocolate milkshake craving. Packed with superfoods like cacao nibs, fresh mint leaves, frozen spinach and a scoop of collagen protein powder, this super sneaky chocolate “milkshake” will make you feel like you’re eating dessert, when really, you’re just doing your body a lot of good.

Aside from being rich in antioxidants, according to Web MD, cacao nibs are also good for heart health, healthy digestion, lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke, reduced heart disease, less inflammation and improve mood. What's more is the mint leaves in the shake are not only nutritious, they may help improve IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), relieving indigestion, improving brain function, decreasing breastfeeding pain, and may even help with bad breath.

It's safe to say you already know why spinach is good for you (here's looking at you, phytonutrients and iron), but did you know that dates are also a healthy item to add to your repertoire? They are high in fiber, which helps with elimination if you're a bit backed up (hey, it happens to the best of us). Dates are also high in antioxidants and may support brain health. And for any of you expectant mamas out there inching toward (or going well past) your due date, adding a healthy amount of dates to your diet can help to induce labor.

Whatever the reason you choose to devour this shake, devour it knowing you are truly doing your body - and your taste buds - a lot of good.

You're welcome.