Becoming conscious of an almost ‘other-worldly’ level of purity in our offspring changes the way we see the world around us. Cleanliness becomes a priority, and we find great reserves of inner strength and resourcefulness to maintain a safety-zone around our child that is at least a little cushioned from the harsher influences of life beyond.

This chocolate rough containing coconut & nut grounds is a tasty raw recipe with the addition of adaptogenic herbs. It utilises nut grounds from my latest batch of almond, cashew & date mylk. When you make nut mylk, never throw the grounds away! I find it really handy to freeze nut grounds until I'm ready to use them.  They are an amazing base for both traditional baking (think french flourless chocolate cake) AND for raw creations. If you don't make nut mylk, you can always substitute with ground almonds & cashews that you've wet slightly. 

This delicious nut milk is worth every moment of prep time. It's sweet but not overly, the dates making a lovely and elegantly simple addition. I have used beautifully fresh nuts and dates from Plastic Free Pantry here on Waiheke Island. Always try to use fresh nuts. Buy them fresh from a great supplier and ensure you store away from heat & light in airtight containers and use within a few months if possible. This recipe is part 1 of a 2 part creation towards a recipe that will utilise the nut & date grounds.

Perfect for a bit of comfort on a rainy day! I've noticed more & more hot drink formulations cropping up that are mostly cacao, with a few spices added - and are over-priced! My advice: make your own. Blend the dry ingredients in a larger quantity and store in a jar so you can make a hot brew in a flash. Fantastic made with our home-made nut mylk. Cacao is rich in essential magnesium - helpful for enhancing muscle and nervous relaxation, coping with stress, and good sleep. This recipe is similar to traditional hot chocolate, but with the addition of health giving and warming spices.