positive psychology… and chocolate
I’m embarking on a little project… a positive one.
I’m trying out a little series by Dr Alice Boyes on positive psychology. I’ve always been fascinated by how the mind works… in another life (one where I would be gifted with the ability to focus) I would love to study this sort of stuff. Alas, study and myself do not mix well.
I am an emotional person. A sensitive soul… I am prone to depression and severe anxiety – both of which are no fun at all. Through lifestyle tweaks (a good diet, daily movement, meditation/breathing) I have learnt how to subdue the beast somewhat, but I am always open to new ideas that could make my life more positive. Anyway, through a series of emails I am going to be doing a daily task that will hopefully give me some strategies to be a happier and more positive person… hooray! I will let you know how I go.
Something that I feel hugely positive about… is chocolate. Home made, vegan, sugar free, RAW chocolate to be exact. And YES it actually tastes amazing. I know it’s a bit of a “grandma,” flavour… but I LOVE fruit and nut chocolate. Raisins, almonds and dark chocolate is my idea of a good time – yee hah.
I was inspired by the beautiful (and bendy) Alexia who made some fantastic looking raw Chocolate Caramel Bars recently. I’ve actually had a small block of cacao butter sitting in my pantry since the end of last year, I just hadn’t gotten around to experimenting with it. That little block is all gone now… I have since jumped online to buy myself a LARGE stash – this recipe is so incredibly easy to make, it’s laughable.
RAW Fruit and Nut Chocolate Clusters:
(Vegan, gluten/wheat/soy/corn/seed/refined sugar free)
- 50g raw cacao butter
- 3T raw cacao powder
- 1/4C chopped almonds
- 1/3C chopped raisins
- 1t pure vanilla extract
- 1/8t sea salt
- 20 drops vanilla stevia liquid (or agave syrup to taste)
- In a double boiler (very very low heat here) gently melt the cacao butter
- Take off heat, stir in all other ingredients.
- Spoon into moulds or whatever you have on hand… tupperware works fine.
- Chill in the fridge until set.
- Pop out, and chop into chunks if you have set the chocolate in one large piece (as I did).
I’m definitely feeling more positive after eating some of this. Even Viper liked it (he who shuns anything above 55% cocoa, HA).
Another positive… my frangipani still determined to flower even though we are totally in the wrong season. Oh my little Aussie battler.
