Hot Chocolate Aphrodisiac Elixir Recipe
Serves 2
Is anything sexier than feeling vibrantly healthy? Hopefully not! What we put in our bodies becomes us in the most literal sense. So if you eat sexy foods, sexy you shall be. And that's important considering Valentine's Day is just about here. Give this sexy aphrodisiac tonic a twirl for you and your partner and see if the holiday of love doesn't get a little more exciting.
This elixir makes the perfect after dinner sipping. It's also an excellent way to start your Valentine's Day (or any day, really) in the morning instead of coffee or tea.
Read more about healthy eating tips for Valentine's Day
We love chocolate for its many healthy benefits on the body and mind. It's loaded with heart-healthy magnesium, immune-boosting antioxidants, and those magical chemicals that make your brain smile and feel yummy. Of course chocolate is also an aphrodisiac, helping you relax and get into the mood.
This recipe also calls on maca, the Peruvian supertuber that's known for it's libido enhancing effects as well as many health-giving properties. Maca provides you with vitamins B1, B2, B, C, D, E along with iron, potassium, copper and calcium. It's a potent hormone balancer, which is particularly helpful as many of us are routinely exposed to hormone disruptors in the environment and our food.
Damiana is an herb with a long history of inducing libido-enhancing effects. It's added in a very light dose to help get you in the mood. Other aphrodisiac ingredients in this recipe include almonds, vanilla, raw honey and nutmeg for a perfectly yummy and stimulating Valentine's Day indulgence.
Ingredients
3 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup organic cocoa powder, depending on how chocolatey you like it (I recommend starting on the lower end and building up)1 teaspoon maca root extract, optional
2 teaspoon raw honey
1/2 teaspoon Barlean's organic coconut oil
1 vanilla bean scored or 1 teaspoon Nature's Flavors organic vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
40 drops damiana extract (try Herb Pharm liquid)
pinch of Himalayan pink salt
Read more about the health benefits of chocolate
Directions
In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, slowly bring the milk, vanilla, salt, coconut oil, and nutmeg to a gentle simmer for about ten minutes. Slowly add in the cocoa powder, maca and honey. Use a whisk to blend together, making sure the milk doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Add in the damiana extract and let simmer another 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with vegan whipped cream and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Editor's Note: At Naturally Savvy, we believe that what may be healthy for one person, may not be suitable for another. Keep this in mind when adding in hormone altering foods and herbs like maca and damiana. Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger