Chocolate for a Happy Brain

It has been unpardonably long since I developed this wonderful recipe. I truly apologize for not sharing it with you before now! While on vacation, I took the time to reread the book Trim Healthy Mama. I am so glad I did; I learned a lot! One of the things I zeroed in on this time around was their emphasis on hormone-related anxiety and depression for women, along with very concrete superfood suggestions of how to alleviate them. 

For the last two years (!), I've not been as cheerful as I usually am. I know depression can be a real monster, and thankfully it didn't totally debilitate me. However, it rang true that my hormones needed support as well, so when I read in Trim Healthy Mama about traditional superfoods that addressed both of these challenges as a duo, I was thrilled. As soon as I got home from my trip, I started making this recipe every day.

Anyway, almost exactly one month after eating my daily antidepressent chocolate, I turned to my sweetie and said, "I feel like myself again!" This brighter mood has persisted. It is not to say that my life circumstances are perfect now, but I am facing them with an attitude of appreciation instead of despair.

So now, I'd like to welcome our guests of honor (sound the trumpets!): Maca Powder and Brazil Nut Protein Powder!!! The book Trim Healthy Mama recommends selenium and Maca for supporting brain and hormonal health, and brazil nuts are rich in selenium, so i developed this recipe.

Brazil Nut Protein Powder Chocolate 

2T coconut oil

2T brazil nut protein powder

1T presweetened cocoa powder (to make, combine 1/2t pwd stevia per cup of cocoa powder)

1t Maca powder

Keep a small plate in the freezer. When ready to make, melt coconut oil (I put it in a metal measuring cup right on the stovetop, but you could do a double boiler). Mix dry ingredients well, and whisk thoroughly to combine with melted coconut oil. Pour onto frozen plate and return to freezer for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy! But only once a day. More than that, and you get too much selenium. :)

P.s. Here is some information about Maca from the Livestrong website: "A 2006 study published in the "International Journal of Biomedical Science" also found maca to have an antidepressant effect on rats. It also slightly sedated the rats without affecting their cognitive function. The scientists attributed these results to the balancing effect maca had on sex hormone levels. They found that rats given maca had decreased levels of cortisol and adrenaline, which are stress-inducing hormones. They conclude that maca is useful in correcting physiological symptoms of menopause in women." 

Note on May 1st, 2014

If you would like to make this without stevia, use unsweetened cocoa. After melting coconut oil and removing from heat, add 1T coconut butter.