A Hug in a Mug
Enjoying a delicious cup of hot chocolate, to me, is synonymous with getting warm after winter outdoor adventures. The liquid providing a welcome warmth, lifting my sprits with every sip and clutching the mug for my chilly fingers (I have terrible circulation!).
A perfect drink for this time of year with winter still holding on as we peek closer to the brighter days of spring.
This recipe takes the delicious warming sweetness of a well loved recipe and combines with some super food ingredients to provide health giving benefits, no refined sugar, dairy free and packed with healthy fats. This is a hug in a mug with anti-inflammatory, calming and mood enhancing prowess using delicious ingredients and harnessing the medicinal power of mushrooms, it is a real winner, plus it really does taste of chocolate!
I have thoughts of Charlie and the Chocolate factory where the child is drinking the river of chocolate when enjoying a mug full of this cacao magic. It also makes a nice swap for those afternoon sugar cravings or coffees.
Cacao does contain a small amount of caffeine so if you are particularly sensitive you may get an energy burst or buzz which can keep you awake, so be mindful if you are having this before bed as it may keep you awake!
Recipe: makes 1 serving.
300ml unsweetened Coconut milk
1 Tablespoon Coconut cream
1 Teaspoon Maca powder
1 Teaspoon Reishi Mushroom powder I use Hifas da terra
Teaspoon Almond nut butter I use pip and nut
Teaspoon collagen powder I use bare biology marine collagen
1-2 x tablespoons Cacao powder I use Aduna (more to taste)
Fresh grated turmeric - about a cm worth
Honey to sweeten (if you need it) or try some cinnamon
Method:
Add the Coconut Milk to a saucepan and heat on a low heat.
Sieve the cacao powder into the milk so there are no lumps, and add the other ingredients except the coconut cream and honey, whisk together until all the ingredients have dissolved into the liquid.
Bring to a slow boil and then take off the heat, add to the mug and finish with a tablespoon of coconut cream and a dash of honey.
Mushroom magic
I love incorporating the healing power of medicinal mushrooms to my diet on a regular basis. I used Reishi Mushroom for this recipe and I wanted to share some of its amazing qualities!
Four powerful benefits of Reishi Mushroom
The Mushroom of eternal youth: certain unique compounds of Reishi make it a great anti-inflammatory and one of the most powerful natural antioxidants that exist acting against free radicals that are the primary cause of cellular oxidation and aging.
Anti-stress: It is a medicinal properties were studied in cases of, stress, anxiety and depression. So keep calm and take reishi!
Insomnia: As a knock on effect to promoting emotional balance and reducing fatigue, reishis properties go as far as supporting a healthy sleep cycle, calming down
Heart health: Helps people maintain and regulate blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels
Some of the powerful nutrients of Reishi
Beta-glucans – known to support the immune system
Triterpenes (ganoderic acids) with antihistamine-like activity
Adenosine and guanosine with antiplatelet effect, myorelaxant (skeletal muscle) and sedative of the
Sterols
Minerals (iron, zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, germanium and calcium)
Group B vitamins (particularly B9)
17 amino acids, among which are all essential
Reishi can be quite bitter, especially if you have it in a powdered form, so its best to mix in with other strong flavours as I did with my hot chocolate recipe.
[PMID: 17311233, PMID: 21801467]
