Brendan Brazier is one of only a few professional athletes in the world whose diet is 100% plant-based. He's a professional Ironman triathlete, best-selling author on performance nutrition, and the creator of an award-winning line of whole-food nutritional products called Vega. He is also a two-time Canadian 50K ultra-marathon champion.

Brazier was named one of the most 25 fascinating vegetarians by VegNews magazine and has become a renowned speaker and sought-after presenter throughout North America, helping individuals and businesses thrive by sharing his dietary stress-busting program, the Thrive Diet.

Here's his recipe for a chocolate almond smoothie packed with protein:

Chocolate Almond Smoothie

• 1/2 serving Chocolate Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer
• 2 cups cold water (or 1 1/2 cups of water plus 1 cup of ice)
• 1 banana
• 1/2 pear (or 1/2 cup of blueberries)
• 1/4 cup almonds (soak raw almonds overnight)

Blend and enjoy!