Love (or Chocolate) Truly Heals All Of Life’s Wounds
Whether you celebrate Valentines day or not, what is known to be true is that LOVE truly heals all of life’s wounds. Love has the power to heal us from the inside out. Being surrounded by love quite literally impacts your overall health and longevity, whereas the opposite; lack of and loneliness can take it’s toll on our emotional and physical health.
So maybe today on Valentines day, you can use it as a reminder to cultivate more love in your life. Today that may even look like giving yourself a whole lot of SELF-LOVE!
Love is not a measurement of the deep relationships in your life. It is far greater than this. It is more about your attitude and the way you move through life; it’s the way you cultivate feelings of loving kindness, the words you use, your daily actions, feelings toward yourself and others, quality time, deep connections, listening, affection, physical touch, self-awareness and acceptance… the list goes on!
What are some ways that you bring more love into your daily life?
Easy Chocolate Treats
Maybe these quick and easy chocolates could be a nice guilt free treat to YOURSELF today!
Chocolate is my absolute favourite food and I’m sure it is for many of you too. It not only tastes divine, but is also affects the physiology of our brain and body too!
However, the type of chocolate that you choose does matter. Milk chocolate is often full of sugar, artificial ingredients and thickening agents and doesn’t contain high amounts of the beneficial compounds that are found in dark chocolate or cacao.
Dark chocolate is high in flavanoids. Flavanoids are plant compounds that have both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects on the body. A recent study shows that the flavanoids in chocolate can be beneficial in improving brain function (memory, reaction time, enhance mood and cognitive).
Chocolate is also high in polyphenols. Polyphenols are anti-oxidant compounds found in plants that are extremely beneficial in feeding and growing the beneficial bacteria in our gut microbiome. Studies show that chocolate consumption has great mood enhancing effects. A healthy gut has a communication network leading to the brain, so nurturing these little guys in the gut is extremely important in maintaining a healthy brain and nervous system.
Chocolate contains small quantities of anandamide. Anandamide is referred to as the “bliss molecule” as it activates the cannabinoid receptors in the brain (playing a similar role as marijuana’s active ingredient, THC) giving heightened feelings of motivation and happiness. No wonder their are some chocoholics amongst us all.
Do you crave chocolate? To top things off, chocolate is a rich source of magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is needed for over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body. Many of us are deficient in this critical mineral. Thankfully chocolate is a good source of magnesium. Maybe your chocolate craving is a sign you need more magnesium in your diet.
Are you sold? I am! I’m literally munching on some homemade chocolate as I write this…
Enjoy some chocolate today as a gift to yourself and as a celebration of the love you have for yourself and those around you!
Easy Chocolate Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cacao butter found in your health food store of wholefoods
- 1 cup peanut or almond butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla powder
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder don't get confused with cocoa
Instructions
- Line a small baking tray that has high edges or a baking dish with baking paper. A large dish makes thin chocolate waffers and a small dish makes thicker chocolate. Decide what you prefer. You can also use chocolate molds if you have them too.
- If the cacao butter is in large chunks, chop it into small pieces.
- Using a heavy based saucepan or double boiler add all of the ingredients and melt on low temperature. Stir continuously.
- When melted pour into your lined dish/tray and freeze.
- Once it is frozen, chop or break it into portions.
- Eat frozen and keep in an air tight container in the freezer.
