Celebrate White Winter and Elevate Your Mood With Chocolate

The Chinese New Year was celebrated last week with February’s new moon.  This year is the Year of the Rabbit - the luckiest sign of the Chinese horoscope.  With the arrival of 2011 - a Year of New Beginnings - the luck of the rabbit is sure to enhance the creating potential all year long.  So let's celebrate all things new.  Create.  Cook life.


And Celebrate Winter... with Chocolate 

I don’t have a sweet tooth per se, but the white winter months make me crave chocolate a bit more than any other time of the year.  There is something comforting about chocolate.  It’s rich and velvety. It creates a warm fuzzy feeling inside, and it always seems to put a smile on my face.  

Chocolate is still the most popular sweet-tasting treat in the world and has been around for centuries... 

Centuries of Chocolate...

Chocolate has been one of the most popular sweet-tasting treats in the world for centuries.  However, part of the myth surrounding chocolate is that it tastes so good, it must be bad for your health.  

The Good, the Bad or the Forbidden...

Chocolate has been the subject of many university studies.  Many results have shown the benefits of chocolate in the human body.  The results that interests me particularly are related to its effects on the brain and the mood.  Studies have shown that the smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation.  Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine recognized to be a mood elevator.   Also, carbohydrates contained in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, producing an overall sense of well-being.  

Nowadays, chocolate has become a hot topic in the nutrition world, because of its 300 chemical components and its various and numerous health benefits.  It is now suggested as part of a healthy  diet.  Of course, not all chocolates are created equal.  Good quality chocolate is one that contains 70% cacao or more and that contains little to no sugar.  And, like anything good, all good things in moderation.

Sweet treat!

Next time you want to feel fuzzy and happy, indulge in this easy to make Vegan Fluffy Chocolate Mousse as your next non-sinful treat or dessert.

Chocolate is known to induce an overall sense of well-being and elevate your mood.  

Fluffy Vegan Chocolate Mousse

6 ounces good quality dark chocolate with 70-75% cacao
1/4 cup water 

1/2 tsp grounded cinnamon, chaï spices or ground cardamome

12 ounces silky tofu
1/4 cup              maple syrup or honey

1/2 tsp vanille extract or the inside of one vanilla pod

1 pinch cayenne pepper (if you like heat)

Over a low to medium heat, put the chocolate, spices and water in a saucepan.  Stir constantly until chocolate is melted.  Put chocolate mix into a food processor with the tofu, the maple syrup and the vanilla.  Mix until texture is silky and homogenous.

Divide into 4 to 6 small ramequins or fancy bowls depending on the occasion and your mood.   Let cool for 2 to 3 hours.

Enjoy the mousse. 

Feel the mood.

And smile... :)

Yoga Love Life To You,

Julie