Chocolate Fudge
"BUT IT HELPS CONTROL MY BODY" pleaded a little one at the market, hoping to convince his mother to buy him some chocolate.
I'm always amazed at the innate wisdom in children, specifically when it comes to food choices.
Before they "learn" what is healthy and what is bad, they intuitively know what to eat. Their choices reflect what is easily digestible, what is energy-dense, colorful, delicious, and they seem to know EXACTLY the perfect amount before dropping their plate and running out to play. They know what feels GOOD and what provides energy to jump, bounce, wiggle, and dance.
Chocolate is one of those foods that can connect us with our inner child AND nourish the adult version of ourselves.
"The saturated fats in chocolate have been found to block the toxicity of oils rich in linoleic acid, and its odd proteins seem to have an anabolic action.” – Ray Peat
This is especially good news, considering linoleic acids seem to contribute to heart disease, viral activation, sun damage, and block cellular respiration, resulting in fatigue and rigidity of the cell.
Chocolate, especially raw cacao, is an amazing source of antioxidants, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, copper, riboflavin, niacin, and folate. It's amino acids are highly anabolic, helping to stimulate the production of lean muscle. It is highly pro-metabolic (leading to more ATP production) and can even induce feelings of euphoria from the compound theobromine, which increases anandamide levels responsible for the feeling of bliss.
I like to eat chocolate in every form, but especially love the pro-metabolic, anti-stress, sleep-enhancing wonders of CHOCOLATE FUDGE. I make a double batch and eat these cubes of delight frozen throughout the week. Paired with a cold glass of milk, I cuddle up in bed feeling delightful and continually grateful.
Glycine and glutamine—amino acids abundant in gelatin—help lower inflammation within the gut by counteracting the inflammatory response associated with stress by increasing our ability to create glutathione and handle the stressor before oxidative damage takes hold. Glycine can even antagonize wale-promoting serotonin and allow for deeper sleep in general.
The amino acids in gelatin are especially useful at balancing the pro-inflammatory amino acids of muscle meat (tryptophan and methionine) and binding to stealth environmental toxins like glyphosate: they literally HEAL and SEAL a leaky gut. Tryptophan, in excess, can convert to serotonin. While we need serotonin for intestinal contractions, balancing our moods, and helping us sleep, too much can actually inflame & irritate the cells and cause systemic issues.
Serotonin is not the “happy” chemical the pharmaceutical industry has painted it to be.
Acting like a hormone, glycine helps regulate moods and allows for deeper, dreamier sleep by having a calming, inhibitory effect on the cell.
Coconut oil boosts immune function, and gently prunes back bacterial overgrowths in the small intestines with its antimicrobial action (thanks, monolaurin!). It’s saturated fat content also protects from tissue damage when FFA are released under stress or strenuous exercise and helps boost cholesterol levels to utilize vitamin A & D, balance sex hormone production, and protect us from unintended damage when dealing with infections.
Chocolate is packed with muscle relaxing magnesium, allowing for smooth intestinal contractions, which means smooth moves, calmer more creative moods, and more supple muscles.
With a scoop of raw honey and grass fed milk, these fudge cubes are overflowing with immune-boosting enzymes, a balance of glucose and fructose to counteract insulin spikes, vitamins A, D, E, and & K, calcium, potassium.... everything you need to let your cells sing and keep your cortisol down while you drift into relaxation or even cuddle up for a dreamy nights sleep.
5-MINUTE CHOCOLATE FUDGE RECIPE
115 grams coconut sugar
65 grams cacao (raw)
2 TB gelatin
1 TB coconut oil
1/2 cup grass-fed milk
1 pasture-raised egg yolk
Pinch of salt, splash of vanilla
1 tsp raw honey
Mix ingredients together over low heat, whisking until it melts and the gelatin has liquified. Whisk in honey once it starts to cool to just about body temperature.
Pour into molds or a tray, chilling for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Share, smile, and ENJOY.
Leave a comment letting me know how they turn out.
Eaten right before bed, they may enhance sleep and prevent an adrenaline spike from 2-4am, which is surprisingly common in hypothyroid individuals finding themselves with broken sleep. If you find yourself sensitive to caffeine later in the day, these might be best enjoyed in the earlier half of the day and in doing so, can restore proper circadian rhythms.
