National Chocolate Week – Yummy!

So we must indeed celebrate with lots of chocolate – but instead of just eating too much of the bad stuff, let’s eat a little of the good stuff and use some to pamper yourself; all the indulgence without the guilt! You can look great, feel better, and not put on an ounce of weight!

Here’s a real treat of a recipe from Alison T Smith – if you’re one that needs a regular chocolate fix. It’s quick to make, delicious AND healthy all at the same time! You can have it as a pudding after dinner, for breakfast or when you’re sitting in front of the TV and just NEED some chocolate. It’s a great one to celebrate with so give it a go this week:

Mint Choc Chia Pudding

Ingredients

1 banana
1tbsp chia seeds
1tsp raw cacao powder
1tsp Maca root powder
Small handful of fresh mint
Sprinkle of desiccated coconut for the top
A little coconut water, or filtered water

You will also need a NutriBullet or similar blender

Method

Add the banana, cacao, maca and mint to the blender and blend for about 30 seconds (if the mixture is too thick to blend add a small dash of coconut water, or water).
Then add the chia seeds to the mixture and stir well. The chia seeds will absorb the liquid and swell up. The longer you leave the mixture the thicker it will become.
Serve in a bowl with a sprinkle of coconut on top, and enjoy!

Did I mention that this is a healthy chocolate fix? Well, here’s why…

Health benefits of this recipe:

Chia Seeds

An excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids, rich in antioxidants and provide fibre, iron and calcium. They help raise HDL cholesterol, which is the “good” type that protects against heart attack and stroke.

Banana

Bananas benefit digestion, heart health and weight loss and contain a multitude of goodness, including fibre, potassium, vitamins C & B6, magnesium, manganese.

Mint

High in antioxidants, aids digestion and weight loss, strengthens the liver, helps asthma and other respiratory disorders, promotes healthy skin and helps prevent memory loss.

Coconut

Coconut has many benefits including helping to reduce hunger, and promotes healthy skin, hair and teeth. It also contains the natural saturated fats that increase the “good” HDL cholesterol.

Maca root powder

You don’t have to use Maca root powder but it does add a caramel flavour to the mix, and it’s high in antioxidants and other nutrients, such as vitamin C, copper and iron. It’s been shown to improve energy, mood and memory, and is good for improving hormones, which makes it good for women of menopausal age.

And last but certainly not least:

Cacao powder

Has 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries, it’s the highest plant-based source of iron, is packed with calcium, and contains magnesium for a healthy heart and brain.

It’s also a great mood enhancer and anti-depressant because it contains serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenyl ethylamine, all of which are associated with feelings of wellbeing and happiness.

So, all in all, a natural, healthy, delicious and guilt-free way of getting your chocolate fix!

Alison T Smith, Author of My Reason & ME www.alisontsmith.com

Still with healthy yet yummy desserts how about this simple treat from Lousie Mercieca who is a nutritional therapist passionate about children’s nutrition (but we all love this…)

Avocado ‘chocolate’ mousse

1 banana

1 avocado

1 tbsp raw cacao powder

Squeeze of Maple Syrup

1.Simply combine all ingredients in a processor, transfer to individual dishes and pop in the fridge.

2.Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

3.Use more banana to sweeten rather than more Maple Syrup.

Louise Mercieca author of How Food Shapes Your child www.louisemercieca.co.uk

Turmerlicious Chocolate Drink

A delicious hot chocolate drink packed with your optimum daily amount of the super food turmeric, chocolate, and other healthy and natural ingredients – and it tastes delicious!

Free from preservatives, artificial flavours, refined sugar, GMO products, nuts, eggs and gluten. Choose from Chocolate Latte or Chili Chocolate which are dairy free with a delicate blend of cocoa powder, coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, a hint of black pepper, skimmed milk and coconut blossom nectar.

You don’t taste the turmeric. It’s a great tasting healthy replacement hot chocolate! Also available in Vanilla and Ginger flavours.

www.turmerlicious.com

CHOC Chick Organic Raw Cacao Powder

Exceptional in its taste and quality, CHOC Chick’s single origin organic raw cacao powder comes from the Nacional Arriba Fino de Aroma cocoa bean.

This powder is made by grinding raw cacao beans, then separating the solids from the oils (cacao butter) before grinding the solids again into this raw powder. All done at a low temperature which keeps the cacao powder raw and packed full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

The pack is really handy and re-sealable and it’s so versatile, I use it in smoothies, sprinkled onto yoghurt, in hot chocolate and added to raw cacao butter for making my own delicious raw chocolates. It’s also a surprisingly great addition to stews and chillies.

www.chocchick.com

Pampering

Treat yourself — make your own raw chocolate face mask, its high in antioxidants and very soothing for the skin.

Organic Chocolate Face Mask

2 tbs raw organic cocao powder
1 tbs honey
1 tbs live yoghurt
3 tbs fine oatmeal

Blend together the ingredients, apply and leave on for 20 minutes. If you prefer the mask to be moisturising but not exfoliating, leave out the oatmeal. You could even increase quantities and add coconut oil for a full-body wrap.