HOT CACAO with CINNAMON, COCONUT + DATES

Fall is upon us and nothing feels more appropriate when I finally get home after these busy, rainy days than a big ole mug of hot chocolate. Make that raw, vegan and super easy to make and you got me head over heels in love with it. I wonder if Freud would have something to say about how frequently I compare my food to romantic lovers. Just a moment ago I was telling my dinner (homemade green curry with baked eggplant, greens and Israeli couscous) that I was seriously considering leaving Jack in order to go steady with the curry. I regularly kiss and hug my fruits and veggies before eating them, and at any hour of the day if you entered my brain you would notice countless love signals being transmitted to the nearest edible plant. I thought I wanted to marry my record player, but when it comes down to it, my ideal spouse might be an avocado. Or mango. Dammit. Is fruit polygamy legal? 

I JUST LOVE MY FOOD SO MUCH. 

raw hot chocolate

i've made this before but this recipe is simpler. if you thinking eating raw means you can't have hot chocolate... think again, my friend! an added bonus (and a pattern in the raw food diet) is that this is guilt-free and in fact - healthy. if you've ever heard david wolfe ranting about how cacao is gonna save the world and our collective health then you'll understand.

although i'm comfortable chillin on the fence when it comes to the question of wolfe's genuineness; i do love chocolate. some say cacao is poisonous to humans and shouldn't be consumed at all. all i know is that mayans have been enjoying it for thousands of years and it tastes pretty dang YUMMY. you just can't make me give up chocolate. too bad.

anyway, just as many people offer up that cacao is a superfood and should be eaten like a vitamin supplement everyday. until the evidence is conclusive, you can find me sipping delicious vegan hot chocolate on rainy nights in my living room.

(if you actually come to my house and find me i'd be a little scared though.)

raw hot chocolate: serves two

6 pitted medjool dates
3-4 cups nut milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder (careful with this...)
1 teaspoon vanilla 
2-3 tablespoons cacao powder
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil (optional)

note: the cinnamon, cayenne and vanilla are optional but i really recommend them. warm the nut milk on the stove then add it and all the other ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth. pour into mugs, cuddle up with a loved one and enjoy! you could add some peppermint or candy canes to this too. 

raw hot chocolate: OMG!

I've made raw hot chocolate (I'm just gonna call it hot chocolate, okay) before so I know it's delicious. But I guess tonight the universe just wanted it to taste more out-of-this-world decadent than normal. So it did! I also haven't made it in awhile, so it was extra yummy.

This hot chocolate warmed me up and was the perfect accompaniment to the cold winter's night AND for the lame 90's movie I watched - Clueless. DON'T YOU JUDGE ME. I am not embarrassed to admit: I love this movie and have watched it at least 3 times. Don't worry, I otherwise have very good taste in cinematography.

So indulge in this wonderful winter treat, without the guilt! No sugar, no dairy; just healthy fats, cocoa and spices. You won't believe how yummy this is. And easy to make in big batches for the whole family around the holidays =) Enjoy!

Warm Cocoa -Raw Hot Chocolate: makes about 2 cups (I drank it all myself)

1 1/2 cups hot water

1 T  agave/maple syrup

Handful nuts (I used a mix of brazil nuts and cashews)

Handful dried coconut (I used chunks of coconut they sell at the health food store - so tasty)

1/2 t of cinnamon (or to taste)

2 T cacoa/cocoa 

Pinch of cayenne - TO TASTE
I also added 1 or 2 of my chocolate truffles, because they were there... and, well, chocolate. 

Blend all ingredients in high-speed blender until smooth and creamy... mmm. Sip up the foam and then delight in the chocolatey goodness of health.