Craving Chocolate?
“GLAMOROUS” HOT CHOCOLATE
servings: 5-8 time: 5-10 minutes
Combine:
1/2 cup melted buttter or coconut oil
1/2 cup cacao powder (chocolate in it's least processed form, with the most antioxidants and flavonols!) or unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. sea salt
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon (ceylon cinnamon is my go-to, it has more medicinal, warming properties than cassia cinnamon)
3 tsp. shatavari (adaptogenic herba that is thought to support the female reproductive, hormone regulating herb & minimize stress)
2 tsp. (or to taste) cayenne powder, chili powder, cardamom, cloves, ginger, or nutmeg (I love the cardamom-clove-nutmeg combo)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. maple syrup or honey (to taste)
Keep in refrigerator up to a week (if it lasts that long!).
Add 1-2 spoonfuls per cup of milk or hot water.
The ingredients in this are soothing and warming, while also calming to the nervous system. Shatavari is commonly used to soothe the digestive tract and heal the reproductive system while also regulating hormones as an adaptogenic herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Cacao is rich in magnesium and iron (the non-heme version which takes a little more work to digest- for increased absorption drink with foods high in vitamin C and A). The the fats in this also provide more energy and help with hormonal balance. Common immersion blended add-ins to make it feel more filling that I've yet to try include... hemp seeds (protein, fiber, omega-3 fats), cornmeal (vitamin A!) and collagen powder ("an easy to digest protein supporting healthy skin, nails, hair, bones, joints & cartilidge").
A friend asked me what sweet treats I've been making lately. I've always enjoyed baking, but my newfound Nutritional Therapy wisdom isn't exactly guiding me towards indulging in trying lots of new bakery recipes. That being said, I've been exploring lots of foods and recipes to support sugar-dependent, over-adrenalized mothers and recently made this for a friend who's a new mom. There seems to be a prevailing wisdom about treating new mothers with this hot beverage known as everything from "Mexican Hot Chocolate" and "Buttery Spiced Hot Chocolate" to "Ceremonial Hot Chocolate", and "Heart-warming Cacao". All I will say is: I LOVE IT! For those of you looking to stave off the chocolate cravings this time of year, but needing a fix- and wanting to treat your body to some love- this will do it.
Thanks to these sources for their inspiration:
Nurture- Erica Chidi Cohen
The Fourth Trimester- Kimberly Ann Johnson
The First Forty Days- The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother Heng Ou with Amely Greeven and Marisa Belger