Because it's spring, because the sun is shining, because chocolate has healing powers, try this recipe.

Cacao beans, once harvested, fermented, and roasted, are a particularly potent source of healing antioxidants. 

Georgetown University studies show that flavonols, antioxidants found in chocolate, help lower your levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol and boost "good" HDL cholesterol. They ease inflammation and help prevent clotting and arterial plaque formation.

Natural unsweetened cocoa powder has the highest level of cocoa flavonols and is the healthiest form of chocolate. 

Try to buy organic, Fair Trade–certified cocoa powder. Fair Trade certification aims to protect farmers in developing countries from exploitation by large corporations or from price fluctuations for commodity crops. In order to be Fair Trade–certified, companies are required to pay farmers a fair price for crops, enabling farmers to pay their workers a living wage, avoid using child labor and practice environmentally friendly farming methods.

Brownies

You will need: 

• 1 cup oat or almond flour

• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal

• 1/4 cup organic cocoa powder

• pinch salt

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 3/4 cup maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup avocado oil

• 1/4 cup boiling water

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 

Grease an 8″ x 8″ brownie pan.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, cinnamon and salt together.

Add the maple, vanilla, and oil into the dry ingredients and mix well. 

The batter will be clumpy. 

Add the hot water and mix until batter becomes thick.

Pour into brownie pan and bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick/knife comes out clean.

Allow to sit in the pan and cool for about 20 minutes.