In honor of the Winter Solstice and the longest night of the year, I wanted to share a delicious original recipe that I recently came up with to celebrate the festivities. As many of us know, traditionally in many cultures this time of year is a time for feasts, merriment, singing, and dancing in front of the fire. In many traditions, a hallmark of the season was reflecting on the concept of rebirth and the symbolism of everlasting life that often was represented by the vibrant evergreens.
Candles and fires were lit to remind us of what is most important— keeping flames lit even during the darkest nights and gathering close to those we love most. It was a time to honor the gradual returning of the light. It also is a time when dreams are often more vivid— offering intuitive insights and guidance from deep within.
As the year begins to wind to a close, it is a wonderful time to reflect on what we learned and our aspirations for the coming year as the light will gradually begin to return. Bringing forth the hidden shadows of the unconscious to the light of our awareness with soothing empathy is at work during this time. Even the aspects that are painful to look at and feel may arise. Gently holding any emotions, traumatic experiences, or memories that arise in our golden light of awareness and allowing the spaciousness of our breath to embrace it all is healing. If you are like me, you also love the merriment and wonder of this holiday season. Merriment, shadow work and introspective reflection are all welcome and encouraged!
Speaking of merriment, I hope this recipe will bring some joy, comfort, inspiration and holiday spirit to your life and your loved ones.
“May it be an evening star shines down upon you. May it be when darkness falls your heart will be true.”
Chestnut Hot Chocolate
- 1 or 2 chopped, raw, organic, shelled chestnuts or 1 Tbsp raw, organic almond butter instead
- 2 tbsp raw, organic coconut butter (Artisana is my favorite)
- 1 pinch whole vanilla powder (It is a dark, aromatic powder that contains no other added ingredients like alcohol, glycerine or sweeteners. Rawpower is my favorite)
- 1 1/2 cups hot water (heated below boiling temperature to try and keep all the raw ingredients raw)
- 1 pinch Celtic sea salt
- 1 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch piece cacao paste, chopped
- 1-2 tsp organic, raw, pastured colostrum (this is optional and can certainly be skipped if you are a vegan. My favorite brand was ethically sourced by one of my valued and intelligent mentors, the late Dr. Ron Schmid. The brand is Dr. Ron's Ultra Pure)
- 1/4 tsp whole leaf stevia powder or your sweetener of choice
Instructions
Combine all these ingredients in a blender and blend them until they are smooth and creamy. An aesthetically pleasing frothy foam will accumulate at the top when it is done. A high powered, efficient blender like a Vitamix works the best. As my mom who is a Buddhist would say, may it be of benefit!
“But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.”
Pictured here is my adorable, wild, native little Sub-alpine fir Solstice tree. I got it from Colorado Native Christmas Trees which is a more environmentally ethical source. They source their trees from the tops of trees that are left over from logging and forest management. They would be discarded anyway, so from an environmental perspective, I feel better about getting my tree from them instead of from a farm that grows their trees in chemically intensive ways. It also has the benefit of being a healthier choice,as it is essentially wildcrafted.
Warmly, Melina