WORLD CHOCOLATE DAY: LIFT YOUR MOOD WITH THESE QUICK RECIPES
I n gloomy times like these, one thing that generates happy hormones is chocolate. Chocolate or cocoa is rich in magnesium and antioxidants, and helps reduce cholesterol in our body as it raises good HDL level. What’s more, you can have it anytime in the day to uplift your mood! And as we celebrate World Chocolate Day today, experts share some quick, mood lifting and delicious (obviously!) recipes. Cinnamon hot chocolate:
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Hot chocolate milk at night helps you sleep better. Just add milk, chocolate, a pinch of cinnamon, brown sugar in a pan and stir well. Add some marshmallows and enjoy the hot cuppa before you sleep. Chia seed chocolate
■ pudding: Add 3tbsp of chia seeds, few crushed almonds and walnuts, half a cup of milk, 2tbsp cocoa or drinking chocolate, maple syrup, 2tsp
of sugar or brown sugar or shakar. Leave it overnight and enjoy the next day. ■ Banana cocoa milkshake:
Add skimmed milk, a banana and chocolate syrup to a mixer. Churn and have it as an evening snack. ■ Strawberry chocolate toast: Toast a slice of bread, spread a layer of chocolate peanut butter or thick chocolate syrup on it. Add on sliced strawberry or banana and sprinkle seeds over it. Chocolate flax seed bar:
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Boil 40gm rolled oats till they become crunchy. Melt 100gm dark chocolate and mix with 30gm chopped dates, 10gm raisins and 5gm freshly grated turmeric. Shape the mixture into a bar and refrigerate for an hour. (With inputs by nutritionist Tripti Tandon and chef Nishant Choubey)