Monsoon Magic-nourishing hot chocolate

It's monsoon season here in Tamil Nadu right now, and we're right in the middle of a cyclone as I write this. So, we've been spending the past few days curled up inside with a hot drink, a cozy blanket, and, of course, a cat. After twelve years in England, I’ve kept the habit of enjoying a morning hot tea, although lately, I’ve been switching things up with a nourishing hot chocolate.

Good quality 100% cacao is a superfood and can be a great way to start the day instead of tea or coffee. By adding a few extra ingredients, you can make a delicious, nutritious drink that boosts energy and mood—without the jitters.

For One Cup:

• A heaping tablespoon of good-quality cacao powder

• 1/2 tsp maca powder

• 1 tsp ashwagandha powder

• 1/2 tsp functional mushroom powder blend (reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps, turkey tail)

• 1 tsp jaggery or another nutritious sweetener of your choice (optional)

• A little freshly grated nutmeg

Add hot water to fill 2/3 of the cup and top with fresh coconut milk or milk of your choice (optional).

Cacao is a superfood, packed with theobromine, which helps improve cognitive function, enhance performance, boost mood, and promote cardiovascular health. It’s also a prebiotic for gut health and a great source of antioxidants and essential minerals, especially magnesium, which aids sleep and stress relief.

Maca and ashwagandha are both adaptogenic roots that nourish the body and build resilience to stress. Functional mushrooms offer numerous health benefits; even consuming just 1/2 tsp a day can have a positively transformative effect on the entire body. Mushrooms are also energetically grounding.

Nutmeg is not only relaxing and mood-lifting but also provides a range of physiological benefits.

This combination not only tastes great but also nourishes the body, offering a sustained energy boost and a lifted mood on dark, rainy days. Taken daily for a few weeks, it can help stabilize an out-of-balance stress response, regulate the gut microbiome, and modulate the inflammatory responses often associated with stress.

On an energetic level, cacao is known as a heart opener, helping us connect with our hearts. This is one of my go-to remedies when I need a little pick-me-up! I hope you enjoy it too.