I can barely go a day without this natural mood booster - and I'm not talking a Hershey's bar (although I'm not opposed to some peanut M&Ms every once and awhile!) I'm talking about dark unrefined cacao in its purest form. No sweeteners, no fillers, no milk. Almost every morning, I make this amazing drink to perk me up and satiate my desire for chocolate. Cacao has been shown to boost levels of serotonin in the brain and contains anandamide or the 'bliss molecule'. It also boasts a high level of antioxidants necessary to help our body fight free radicals that can damage skin and increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Cacao also contains a nice amount of magnesium which can help improve muscle function and provide the energy you need to stay focused and energized without feeling jittery. I add mushroom powder to boost the immune supporting properties. With all these amazing benefits, there is no need to feel guilty. Whip this tonic up anytime of day (I wouldn't recommend after 6pm) and prepare your body and mind for combat!
1 tbsp cacao paste (I get mine from Terrasoul Superfoods and also like Sunfood Organics product. You can substitute cacao powder - if you do, you may want to use a bit more than 1 tbsp)
1 tsp OM mushroom immunity powder (you can experiment with any type of superfood or mushroom powder here - try some maca or lucuma!)
1 tsp collagen powder (Optional) My favorite is from Bend Beauty.
6-8 oz. liquid (I do a blend of hot water and lite coconut milk but to make richer you can use all milk or milk alternative. I like the flavor with coconut milk or unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
A few dashes cinnamon
Dash sea salt
Sweetener of choice (Optional) I use Stevia liquid drops (5-10 drops) depending on how sweet you like. 1 tsp of maple syrup or honey.
Warm liquid/milk in a pot on stove. Add cacao, mushroom powder, collagen, salt, and cinnamon to a blender. (I use my Magic Bullet!) Add liquid when warm and sweetener of choice. Blend well until cacao is completely melted. Pour in mug and savor the sweet, rich, creamy concoction!