Cacao Maca Walnut Milk

This is a super simple recipe that I like to call the stress relief milk. Walnuts are great in so many ways, including being a wonderful food for the brain, and having the ability to reduce blood pressure responses to stress. Maca is a true superfood and a great adaptogen - meaning it helps the body cope with stress and adapt to changing situations. And of course cacao. It contains stress-relieving and anti-anxiety chemicals that positively affect our mood by raising serotonin levels. It basically makes us happier.:) I recommend savouring this milk slowly, away from work, deadlines and worries.

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Notes: I make my own walnut milk for this. It's very easy and worth the effort, but you could use store-bought walnut milk if you find it. Otherwise other plant-based milks would work too.

Cacao Maca Walnut Milk

1 large portion

To make your own walnut milk

• 1 cup walnuts, soaked for 6-8 hours (or soaked 10 minutes in hot water)

• 3-4 cups water (use 3 cups for a creamier consistency, or 4 cups for a thinner consistency)

• Pinch sea salt

For the cacao maca walnut milk

• 1 1/2 cup walnut milk (see previous recipe)

• 1 tbsp raw cacao powder

• 1 tbsp raw maca powder

• 2 soft dates, pitted

• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tsp cashew butter (optional, but adds a beautiful creaminess)

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instructions

To make your own walnut milk

1. Drain and rinse the soaked walnuts well. Place in a high-speed blender with water and a pinch of sea salt and blend on high speed.

2. Place a nut milk bag or cheesecloth over a large bowl and pour the milk into the nut milk bag/cheesecloth. The nut pulp will remain in the cloth. Form a ball with the cloth and press with your hands to squeeze. Squeeze until there is no more liquid pouring out of the cloth.

3. Store in an air tight glass container or a mason jar in the fridge, for up to 4-5 days.

For the cacao maca walnut milk

1. Blend all the ingredients in a blender: walnut milk, cacao, maca, dates, vanilla and cashew butter. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding an extra date, if needed. Pour into a glass, and sprinkle with extra cacao powder if you’d like.