Chocolate has always done it for me. This comes as no surprise, since we now have documented proof of chocolate’s mood enhancing and stimulating properties (1). These benefits are especially well appreciated on mornings when my brain needs a little boost or when my mood is in a slump due to hormonal misalignment . Of course, my body and brain knew this well before it was documented (as I’m sure yours did too); so naturally there’s always been a powerful affinity. Our relationship has evolved immensely over the years however, and I’ve now learnt to keep it simple, authentic, pleasurable and free of compulsion. On days when I do consciously indulge, it’s wonderful to be reminded that raw cacao has:

• more antioxidant capacity than blueberries, acai berries, green tea or red wine (2, 3)
• proven heart-healthy attributes (4, 5), and
• an impressive nutritional profile consisting of fiber, essential fats, magnesium, iron manganese, copper, and phosphorous

Here’s a finger-lickin’, gut-lovin’, hormone-friendly way to do chocolate:

It’s the only way I do food in an effort to heal my gut and balance my adrenals.

• Gut-lovin’ ingredients = pectin from organic unpeeled apples, collagen/gelatin powder and ghee
• *Hormone friendly for its calming, low-glycemic and cortisol reducing prowess (6)

Ingredients

1 tsp grass-fed ghee or grass-fed butter

one organic chopped apple with peel

2-3 strands of saffron (optional)

1 tablespoon organic raw *cacao powder

1 tablespoon **grass-fed collagen or **gelatin powder (I like Great Lakes gelatin and Vital Proteins or Bulletproof collagen powder)

water and/or coconut water

healthy sprinkles like goji berries, coconut flakes and ceylon cinnamon

-Heat small fry pan on medium heat with 1 tsp grass-fed ghee or grass-fed butter

– Add one organic chopped apple with peel to pan

-Add a little water after stirring for a few minutes

-Sprinkle in 2-3 strands of saffron (optional)

-Cook covered for a few minutes or until apple pieces are half-way cooked

-Add contents of pan to a mini-blender

– Also add to the blender: 1 tablespoon organic raw cacao powder, 1 tablespoon *collagen powder or good quality **gelatin and a dash of water or coconut water, if needed for desired applesauce consistency

-Blend and pour into your favorite bowl

-Add in scrumptious sprinkles…I love goji berries or unsweetened coconut flakes and cinnamon

*Cacao powder can be problematic for some. Reduce quantity or discontinue if you notice digestive issues or have difficulty falling asleep at night.

**Highly sensitive individuals may not tolerate gelatin and/or collagen. Start with a very small amount, work your way up to 1 tablespoon gradually and discontinue if you notice a reaction.