Warm Dark Chocolate Elixir

Relax with a warm cup of this dark chocolate elixir and nourish your body and spirit with each delicious sip! It reminds me a lot of the super-rich upscale hot chocolates, except this one is made with 100% raw, nutrient-dense ingredients that will super-charge your body with immune boosting antioxidants. 

Carob powder is a great substitute for cacao, and makes this drink a wonderful before bed drink because carob contains no caffeine (unlike cacao). The nutrition and health benefits of eating carob are as follows:

- Carob tannins contain gallic acid which is an analgesic, anti-allergenic, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-viral and anti-septic

- Improves digestion and lowers cholesterol levels in the blood

- Treats diarrhea in adults and children

- Benefits people with high blood pressure (since it contains 0 caffeine)

- Regular use can help prevent lung cancer

- Contains high vitamin E content, helping to treat bouts of coughing, the flu, anemia and osteoclasis

- Gallic acid in carob helps prevent and treat polio in children

- Rich in phosphorous and calcium which helps fight against osteoporosis

- Clears the voice and throat when carob pod husks are chewed on (great for singers)

This is definitely a healthy spin on a decadent classic. Enjoy it when the weather gets a little chilly (like in the evening or early morning), or whenever you get intense chocolate cravings!

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 cups warm water (not too hot - only warmed - enough that you can stick your finger comfortably in the water)

- 1/4 cup carob powder

- 1 tsp. maca powder

- 1 large medjool dates or 2 smaller medjool's (de-pitted) soaked in a little water to get them soft

- pinch ginger

- pinch vanilla

- pinch cinnamon

Take the above ingredients and put into any kind of blender (the mini blenders work great here - the ones you can use to make instant salad dressings) - blend for 10 seconds and enjoy!