These chilli Monday mornings..

With all that is going on at the moment, you might find that your mind is feeling a little fuzzier than usual. We could list many herbal and nutritional solutions for you here, but that can wait till another day. Because the mixture of chocolate, chilli, vanilla, cinnamon and milk (as was de rigeur for the old Aztecs) is one that will nourish your battered senses and lift your consciousness to see you out of your 3 o’clock slump.

Just follow the below instructions and make enough to share with your favourite person /colleague (albeit virtually)/ your ailing mum/your tiny tot and enjoy a belly-warming, mood-boosting, heart-opening hug in a mug!

First simmer 1 vanilla pod and 1 red chilli (both split lengthways) along with 1 cinnamon stick in a couple of mugs’ worth of hot milk (choose from organic dairy, almond, coconut, rice, soy or oat milk) for a couple of minutes. Whisk in 3 teaspoons of good quality cocoa powder, or alternatively melt down 4 – 5 squares (per person) of a good quality cacao bar, such as Original Beans. Strain out the cinnamon, vanilla and chilli. Pour into your favourite mug. Serve with a nice oat biscuit if you’d like an extra bit of sweetness to munch on.

This nourishing combo cocktail of cocoa, chilli and cinnamon has proven effects on elevating mood, alleviating muscular aches, strengthening the nervous system and improving blood flow to the brain. Drink up!