SPICY SUPER-POWERED CHOCOLATE with RASPBERRIES


I am on a month-long, nation-wide road trip with my mother. We are driving (well, she is driving… I can’t drive) across the mid west of America to our family in Minnesota, and meeting new and old friends along the way. This is our fifth day and so far: so good. We’ve been witnessing spectacular landscapes; from forested mountain towns and berry-filled islands to rolling pasture lands and rugged buttes. We’ve laughed hysterically at pretty much nothing at all - which is something I can only really do with my mum - taken part in DIY healing ceremonies, very long group hugs, looooots of fireworks and more. The first few days of the trip we stayed with friends on an island outside Seattle, right on the water. The days were filled with amazing food (like smoothies, maca almond butter!?, pasta with fresh picked greens, fruity oatmeal, apple juice made with apples from the front yard, grilled corn, raw chocolate and massive salads) spiritual cleansing(?), philosophical discussions and beach fires. It was a period of peace, love and openness that mom and I both agree helped us construct emotional armour for the coming trip and more generally this time in our lives. 

We are both empowered women who are going through phases of rapid, admittedly uncomfortable change. Jack dumped me, and I will forever have a crack in my heart for that. I am getting better day by day but he was truly my first love, and I never thought he wouldn’t want me. It hurts deeply when I let myself think about it. I am also just beginning to deal with the reality that I struggle with mental illness (albeit mild compared to many folks). My mother has her own shit she's working out. And the women we stayed with on the island were going through challenging personal moments in their own journeys of life as well. So it was absolutely perfect we all came together over nourishing food, sisterhood and the ocean to help one another on our paths. I am normally a cynical, sarcastic, critical skeptic but it was a wonderful weekend where I really let my hippie side out. It felt good. There is some truth to all that stoned talk about energy fields and living in the moment. 

I have been meditating twice daily, sometimes more, and it is seriously helping me stay grounded. Meditation is like any other kind of exercise: the more you do it, the more your body is trained to be better at it. So with each mediation I reach new depths of my being and my awareness. It is addicting. I have some kind of anxiety disorder, but knowing that I can find a space of calmness with just my mind - okay... and anti-depressants and a lot of other factors - brings me great comfort. I highly recommend meditation to anyone and everyone. Now on to chocolate. 

I put this recipe together on the island for everyone to share. I love making up recipes in other people’s kitchens because it challenges me to use new ingredients and different equipment (or sometimes no equipment). Plus, merely being in a new environment ignites my foodie creativity. As mentioned earlier, I was staying with a bunch of very spiritual older women, including my own mom, and their gratitude for the meals and snacks we prepared was almost overwhelming. So many genuine hugs and kind words. It made me feel inspired about people and food, because I was reminded of the grace of people and the powerful effect food can have on us. It nourishes us, inside and out. It is a feast begging the participation of all the senses, and it sustains our being. Now without further ado, here is some delicious chocolate to super power your day and your life. 


SPICY SUPER-POWERED CHOCOLATE with RASPBERRIES

Chocolate:
1 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup cacao powder
2 tablespoons ginger powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
2 tablespoons coffee powder

Toppings:
1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel
1/4 cup raspberries
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
2 tablespoons shredded coconut 

To make the chocolate: melt the coconut oil on low in a pot, then whisk in the rest of the ingredients until the mixture becomes liquid chocolate: smooth, thick and delicious. Adjust according to taste and add whatever else you like. Top with the toppings (hello) and leave in the freezer or fridge until it has hardened up, it will only take 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!


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