The French are the biggest consumers of dark chocolate in Europe by far! The average household consumes 12.3 kg per year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. So, if you’re feeling tempted to join the locals, here’s a cacao recipe – brought to you by Naturopathic Nutritionist Erica – that’s not only delicious but healthy too!
This mousse is rich, chocolatey, and super satisfying; and it’s made with ingredients that help reduce inflammation, balance blood sugar, and feed the gut microbiome. This recipe nourishes the nervous system and supports clear skin from the inside out.
When to use this recipe:
- During PMS (premenstrual symptoms), menopause or hormonal breakouts
- After sugar-rich or processed meals
- When your skin feels inflamed, red, or congested
- If you want a skin-supportive sweet treat that won’t spike your blood sugar
Cacao Mousse Recipe:
(serves 4-6, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days)
INGREDIENTS
- 3 ripe avocados
- 10-12 Medjool dates, pitted
- 6 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond or oat milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional toppings: coconut flakes, blueberries, walnuts, hemp seeds
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Blend everything until super smooth and creamy.
- Chill in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.
BENEFITS:
AVOCADO:
- Healthy fats & dietary fibre
- Lowers inflammation
- Hormone regulation
DATES:
- Supports digestion
- Natural sweetener
- Prevents sugar crashes
RAW CACAO:
- High in magnesium
- Rich in flavonoids
- Antioxidants
- Calms nervous system
CINNAMON:
- Stabilises blood sugar
- Reduces anxiety triggers
- Prevents sugar crashes
Health disclaimer: I do not claim to diagnose, cure or treat diseases, symptoms or illnesses. The information and service provided through the platform/consultations are here to provide individuals with an alternative holistic method if you choose to make changes in this direction. Please contact your medical practitioner if you have any medical issues.
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Read more posts from Erica on Wondergreens website here.
BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH ERICA here.
P.S. Want to know the difference between Cacao vs Cocoa vs Dark Chocolate?
CACAO refers to the minimally processed beans of the Theobroma cacao tree. After harvesting, the beans are fermented and dried.
COCOA is what it becomes if those beans are then roasted at higher temperatures.
So basically cacao is closer to the raw ingredient, while cocoa is the roasted version used in most chocolate products.
DARK CHOCOLATE is made from cocoa solids and cocoa butter blended with sugar, and the higher the percentage (70%+), the more cocoa it contains and the less sugar. More info at Harvard.
