One of the beautious aspects of chocolate is that it can be stimulating, relaxing, tasty, healthy or unhealthy. It can be eaten in sweet dishes or savory dishes (moles, chilis).

Facts about chocolate:

• Brain waves called theta waves occur when we are in deep relaxation. The smell of chocolate has been shown to increase theta brain waves.
• Chocolate may cause headaches and is not recommended in large doses for people who suffer from migraines or chronic headaches.
• Dark chocolate is considered healthier because has more cacao (the beans that chocolate are made from) and less sugar than milk and white chocolate.
• Most consumer chocolate comes from cocoa farms. Unfortunately, many cocoa farms have unsafe working conditions, unfair labor wages, and child labor trafficking.
• Fair Trade Certified chocolate says that no forced abusive child labor is used, but Fair Trade chocolate represents less than 1 percent of the $66 billion chocolate market.

I knew someone who was allergic to chocolate. I watched their lips blow up when chocolate touched them. I could not imagine my life without chocolate. So today’s recipe is based on chocolate because knowing that this was going to be part of my dinner helped me get through the day today. I don’t know how I would survive my job without chocolate.

100% raw cacao powder is rich in nutrients and does not have any sugar or dairy. I use TruVibe because it is fair trade and organic. You can add cacao to so many foods – smoothies, sauces, puddings…before the end of this challenge I will come up with a savory Whole30 compliant vegetarian chocolate recipe. But until then, here is a healthy sweet treat.

Chocolate Avocado Banana Pudding

• 1 avocado
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 date soaked in water over night
• 1 Tbs raw cacao powder

blend together with water to preferred consistency