The Live Green Smoothie Diet

I am a full convert to the health-enhancing properties of Raw Cacao. Feels like a wonderful tonic whenever I take it. And the Navitas “Cacao Power” Raw Chocolate Powder is really what it says on the bag: “King of Cacao”. It is absolutely superb. Far superior to anything I have ever ground up myself from raw cacao nibs.

Mixed with warm nut milk and your sweetener of choice, it’s a great way to start a cold morning…

Raw “Hot” Chocolate?

It may sound like a misnomer to say “Raw” and “Hot” together, but in fact there is nothing that says that live foods can’t be warm to the touch. And I mean warmer than “tepid”. If you can comfortably put your hand in a liquid that is warming up, you’re good to go. It didn’t kill off the living enzymes in your living fingers after all, did it? And while it may just feel comfortably, solidly “warm” to your hand, it will likely feel much warmer to your tongue!

It makes no sense to me why people deprive themselves of the warmth and soothing qualities of warm foods just because they’ve “gone raw”. I mean… the inside of your body is nearly 100 degrees! Ever slept next to a pregnant woman, who’s like a veritable furnace? Ever hung out with a high-performance athlete who’s inner fire is easily stoked high? Life is warm, there’s heat to it. Without that inner heat, you lose your drive. Life must have balance in it, and that includes our diet.

So, take some fresh Almond Milk, or Pecan Milk (yum!), or Pumpkin Seed Milk… warm it up gently in a saucepan with Raw Chocolate (Cacao) Powder and a few other tasty ingredients, and you’ll have a rich, warming, creamy-chocolate concoction as filled with healthifying nutrients as it is delicious!

Use Different Kinds of Milk to Make Your Raw Hot Chocolate

Raw Hot Chocolate with Almond Milk is a great calcium-magnesium combo (almonds provide the calcium, the cacao provides the magnesium). A good thing for anyone with mood swings, cramps, and general hormonal problems.

Raw Hot Chocolate with Pecan Milk is great for anyone concerned about cholesterol levels… and for anyone wanting to zing up their love life! The plant sterols in pecans are well-known for their cholesterol-lowering properties, and their high zinc content is required for the production of testosterone and often recommended for a healthy prostate. Pair that with the dynamic, heart-energizing qualities of the Raw Cacao and, well…I’m beginning to get a better of sense of why this particular combination is my favorite!

Raw Hot Chocolate with Pumpkin Milk is super-high in magnesium, with the added benefits of zinc, B vitamins, and iron. This combination is a nutritional powerhouse.

Raw Hot Chocolate (Cacao) Recipe

• 1 C. Raw Nut or Seed Milk (I used some Pumpkin Seed Milk in the photo above, but you can use milk made from almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts… whatever you like)
• 1 T. Raw Cacao Powder (or more if you like it very dark)
• 1 T. raw honey, raw agave (or I will sometimes use unprocessed “rapadura” cane sugar) (use more if you like it sweet — I do not)
• dash “Himmy salt” (Himalayan Crystal Salt)

Warm ingredients gently in saucepan — don’t walk away, it takes less than a minute! If the air is cool, you’ll be able to see a bit of steam rise, and you should be able to put your finger comfortably into the warming liquid.

Stir (or use a little whisk to froth it up). Serve. Makes 1 mug or 2 smaller cups of cocoa.

And Then… Spice It Up!

Angela’s Favorite Raw Hot Chocolate Garnish: A few good shakes each of organic Cinnamon and Cayenne Chile powder! If you’re under the weather physically or emotionally, give your cup some heat!!!