As you know, The Chalkboard is ‘a guide to living well’. By definition, that lifestyle includes (dark) chocolate and (organic) wine. And Cameron Diaz is with us on that.
Wine and chocolate are innately natural foods and both have their place in a healthy lifestyle. The key is in knowing how to shop for products that are both clean and high-quality. Honestly, the same could be said for almost everything under the sun pertaining to health and wellness.
If, like us, your September has been off to an odd start, take this great advice from Cameron Diaz and try eating brownies for breakfast. We’ve been enjoying these protein breakfast brownies from the ever-stunning co-founder of Avaline wines (could there be a better time to get into wine-making?) since our chat with Diaz around the launch of The Body Book.
These nutrient-dense brownies have always had their appeal, but this fall, Cameron’s rich, delicious and cozy recipe almost seem like a form of therapy.
We highly suggest baking up a batch for breakfast with a good cup of coffee, going about your day, and wrapping that last Zoom call with a glass of her new, clean-as-can-be organic rosé. Avaline also makes a good bottle of white, but we’re partial to the light and zesty pink stuff with a hint of fresh melon. (Update: the brand also launched a dry and delicious red in November 2020!)
Here’s Cameron on the glories of chocolate for breakfast and a bonus recipe for her chocolate raspberry oatmeal…
“I am a bit of a chocoholic. Okay, quite a bit of one to be perfectly honest. I love it pretty much in all forms and have spent the longest time denying myself chocolate because I thought it was unhealthy. Of course, I was thinking of commercially prepared chocolate candy and fudge that is loaded with refined sugar. Those are definitely unhealthy for you. However, as I learned more about ingredients and became more creative in the kitchen, I found ways to enjoy chocolate that wasn’t unhealthy. In fact, when prepared correctly, it can be good for your body! Especially your heart. Cocoa expands the blood vessels in the heart and helps all that lovely blood of yours flow through with ease. A relaxed and properly working heart is something we all need, so I’m encouraging you to dive into healthy chocolate recipes with your mouth and mind wide open.
“Chocolate for breakfast sounds like a health faux pas and the dream of school-age children, but you can absolutely add chocolate back onto the breakfast menu with these two healthy recipes.”
Protein-packed Breakfast Brownies
Makes approximately 12 brownies
INGREDIENTS
2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup unseasoned black beans, cooked, rinsed and drained
1/2 beet, washed, peeled, cooked, and cut into pieces
1 ripe banana
1/4 cup maple syrup, honey or coconut sugar (more or less to taste)
3 Tablespoons peanut butter or sunflower seed butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 F
Put rolled oats into a food processor and pulse until it is a fine oat flour.
Add other ingredients to food processor. Blend until the batter is smooth and all ingredients is incorporated.
Pour into a baking pan lined with parchment paper, sprinkle with chocolate chips, and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Cool completely and then cut into squares.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze them individually wrapped for up to a month.
Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS
1 cup steel cut oats
3 cups liquid of choice (water is fine to use. For a creamier texture, you can use almond milk or coconut milk. Or half water and half milk if you like.)
1 cup raspberries (fresh or thawed frozen)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
DIRECTIONS
In a medium sauce pan, bring the milk or water to a boil over medium high heat.
Stir in the oatmeal and turn down the heat to low. Simmer the oatmeal uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in cocoa powder, raspberries, and honey/maple syrup. Continue to cook for 10 more minutes, again stirring occasionally.
Once done cooking, garnish with nuts, sliced fruit of choice, shredded coconut, or chia seeds
