The Healthy Truth About Chocolate

I’m not sure when or where it came from but there’s this awful misconception that chocolate can’t be a part of a healthy diet.

THE HEALTHY TRUTH

Chocolate, as most of us grew up with, has more sugar and milk and less nutrients than cacao – chocolate’s original, unprocessed and yes, healthy cousin.

In its’ raw form, cacao is packed with antioxidants, minerals like zinc, magnesium and iron, plus flavanols that help improve our brain, heart, cholesterol and skin health. But the confusion about chocolate goes beyond benefits versus risks. Here’s something else you may not know about chocolate:

COCOA & CACAO AREN’T THE SAME THING

Cacao is the rawest form of chocolate – it comes straight from the cacao bean. Cocoa is a processed version of cacao that often has added sweeteners.

Maybe it’s the sweet bitter taste. Or maybe it’s the serotonin (a natural anti-depressant) and endorphin boost (the hormone that creates happiness and pleasure) that come with eating it. No matter what fuels your chocolate love, if you’re looking for a new recipe, this super simple mousse will become your new fave.

With just two ingredients and a whisk, you can whip up this vegan chocolate mousse recipe in no time!

What

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE IT

* 1 cup of chopped, vegan dark chocolate

* 15 oz. of coconut cream

How

ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place coconut cream in the refrigerator over night.

2. In a large metal bowl, whisk coconut cream until it forms large, stiff peaks.

3. Melt the chocolate by placing it in a microwave safe bowl, then heating on 50% power in 15-second increments for one minute. Be sure to stir every 15 seconds.

4. Gently fold melted chocolate into whipped coconut cream until mixed completely.

5. Place in ceramic dishes, add your favorite garnish and enjoy!

Regardless of your chocolate loving motivation, the truth is – real, unprocessed chocolate (high in cacao) is worth its’ weight in healthy benefits. And all it takes is one small piece a day to do the trick. So why deprive yourself?