Did you know that chocolate is a "super food" packed with vitamins and minerals necessary for good health and longevity? Pass the cocoa puffs! Well.. not quite. As it turns out, cacao, the raw form of our dear friend chocolate, is a seed/nut found in the Amazon, and is considered to be the highest antioxidant food on the planet. Slightly bitter to taste, cacao contains essential minerals such as magnesium, iron, manganese, theobromine and chromium important for building strong bones, purifying blood, supporting cardiovascular health and balancing hormones. If it couldn't get any better, chocolate is also high in Phenylethylamine aka "love drug" and Anandamide aka “the bliss chemical”, making this coveted dessert a natural aphrodisiac, mood booster, metabolism booster and appetite suppressant!! And it can also be used topically in masks or scrubs to brighten and soothe the skin.

Chocolate = Love. It just makes life better. I think that sums it up.

Here's a couple of delicious vegan chocolate recipes.

Chocolate avocado mousse

Ingredients:

4 ripe avocados
1 cup maple syrup
2 tsp organic vanilla extract
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Fresh raspberries to garnish

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Portion into glass dishes or bowls and top with raspberries & cinnamon sprinkles. Enjoy!

Hot Chocolate

3 TBSP Cacao Nibs
1 TBSP Cacao Butter
2 TBSP Honey
2 TSP Maca
Almond Milk to taste

Simply blend your favorite tea into the ingredients and enjoy! Herbal teas such as Pau D’Arco, Cat’s Claw and Vanilla work well.