Most of us know that feeling that usually rolls around at around 3 pm on a workday, when it seems as if you’ve hit a wall and need to somehow recharge before going back to work. I have to say that since I’ve been taking a break from caffeine, it has been less a of a crash and more a need to get up, stretch and whip up some kind of fun potion in the blender, just as a mental breather. Since it’s been cold out, I’ve been really into making hot, frothy, restorative drinks as my 3 pm activity, and this super quick tahini hot chocolate has come out on top many times.
This drink gets its decadent chocolate flavor from raw cacao powder, which, contrary to popular (and my own until very recently!) belief, contains insignificant amounts of caffeine. The energizing properties of cacao come from theobromine, a mild cardiovascular stimulant (while caffeine is a nervous system stimulant) that increases heart function and blood flow and is much milder in effect than caffeine. Cacao is also high in magnesium, a mineral known for its relaxing properties, anandamide – the ‘bliss chemical,’ and PEA – the ‘love chemical.’ So this drink will calmly wake you up and give you a lift in mood – nothing crazy and no jitters. It gets its creaminess from tahini and nut butter, and its sweetness from prunes (you can also use dates, but I like the richer flavor the prunes yield here) and honey. It’s very easy to make and comes together in no time.
I drink this hot chocolate as an afternoon pick-me-up, but it’s good enough to serve on a special occasion, and could act as an elegant, sweet finish to a festive meal. There are some links after the jump, have a nice Sunday :)
Immunity Herbal Infusion – I’ve been very much into making herbal infusions and drinking them instead of water throughout the day (nettle, raspberry leaf and goji is still my favorite), and this immunity-supporting one sounds amazing.
Actually, Let’s Not Be in the Moment – an article questioning the recent trends of mindfulness, full of many valid points and this response, very valid in its own way.
Willka Yachay Instagram – amazing photographs of the Q’eros Nation of Peru by an organization helping their community thrive in the modern world.
Well + Good’s Health and Wellness Trends of 2017 – I’m especially into the #s 5, 11, 13 and 14
Amanda Chantal Bacon on the One Part Podcast
How Ayurvedic Beauty Can Change Your Health – all good reminders
- 1½ cups hot water
- 2 prunes or dates
- 1 heaping teaspoon tahini
- 1 heaping teaspoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon raw honey, or more to taste
- pinch cinnamon (optional)
- Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth and frothy.
Just made it. Absolutely delicious. Thank you!
Awesome!
OOO this looks scrumptious and I love your link round-ups so much! Are you using the toasted rather than raw versions of these butters? xx
Thank you! So glad you’re enjoying the links.
I used toasted butters here, as that’s what I had on hand, but raw would be equally as delicious.
This sounds fantastic. I think this will be the winter where I drink all the hot chocolates, so I can’t wait to try this one.
Thank you Allyson! Hope you enjoy it.
Mmm, yes, please! I could drink it every day and several times per day! I love tahini in hot chocolate, and I bet prunes are gorgeous together with tahini too! Thank you, Anya!
The prunes really add something here… a richer, deeper sweetness than dates :)
made it over the weekend and it was so delicious, used dates instead of prunes and also added a pinch of cinnamon, it was so good, thanks!
That’s so great to hear Jane! I’m very glad.
Thanks so much for including the podcast in your roundup! LOVE your bracelet in that shot too!!
Thank you Jessica! Really looking forward to your cookbook deal podcast :)
Golubka, you are genius! Love your recipes. So enjoyed hot chocolate this way. Used raw Macadamia butter as this nut butter is readily available at local markets, in sub-tropical Australia, where I live.
Hi Sheena, so glad you enjoyed the hot chocolate! I can imagine how good macadamia butter would be in this. Wish it was as readily available here :)
Simple yet tasty! thank you!
Nattulicious
It really is delicious. I tried it and my kids loved the taste.