This post is from contributing writer Leah Vachani, CNC, of Lunch with Leah.

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the past few years, I’m sure you have heard the buzz about bone broth. Nutritionists, doctors, personal trainers, even estheticians are touting the magical benefits of bone broth to their clients, their friends, and anyone who they meet on the street. But why? What’s the deal?

First, let’s go back in time. Bone broth is a traditional food that has been consumed by humans since the beginning of recorded history. Basically, bone broth has been around since early humans discovered fire and invented a pot to boil water in. In the interest of using every last possible part of the animals they hunted, they began to boil down the bones. Hippocrates was known to prescribe bone broth to improve digestive health in his patients (1), and similar practices were being shared all over Asia and the Middle East.

Health Benefits of Bone Broth

So, it’s been around forever…it must be good for you then? Yes. Here are just some of the amazing benefits of bone broth:

Boosts the immune system (2)
Reduces joint pain (3)
Supports weight loss (3)
Aid in sleep (3)
Promotes healthy hair + skin (4)
Heals the gut (3)
Supports healthy digestion (5)
Fights inflammation which is the root cause of most disease (3)
Enhances brain function + mood (6)
Highly nutritious (3)

Plus, it’s super easy to make – Katie’s kids even help:

If you can’t view the video above, click Kids Cook Homemade Chicken Stock to Show How Easy it Is! to see it directly on YouTube.

Great! Now, how do I get it in my body (and my kids)?

The traditional way would be to make some soup with bone broth. However, I have 3 more suggestions and they all involve chocolate!

Health Benefits of Chocolate

When I see “health” and “chocolate” together I’m pretty much sold already, but if you need some validation, then here you go.

Dark chocolate (raw cacao) can be found to:

Can have positive effects on stress, improve your mood and memory (9)
Is high in polyphenols (protective antioxidants) (8)
Supports a healthy gut microbiome as a prebiotic (food for the good bacteria) (7)
Reduces inflammation (10)
Could improve brain function (11)

So yay! Let’s all eat chocolate for breakfast!

Hold up! Make sure you are using dark chocolate or raw cacao. Milk chocolate has a lot of sugar and very little actual cacao in it (which is the constituent with all the health benefits). So, make sure you are getting the good stuff.

What does it mean if I crave chocolate?

Unfortunately, the common saying surrounding chocolate cravings being due to a magnesium deficiency is still being debated. Although dark chocolate does contain some magnesium, there are other foods that contain higher amounts, like spinach. When was the last time you craved spinach?

Most likely if you are craving chocolate your body is needing an energy boost or mood boost. Just eat the (moderate portion of) dark chocolate and enjoy! Magnesium or not. You will still get some healthy bonuses. (To actually get enough magnesium, you could use this topical spray or take an Epsom salt bath.)

Now for the delicious ways to get the superpowers from bone broth and chocolate into your mouth…

3 Ways to Hide the Power of Bone Broth in Chocolate

I solemnly swear that these methods have all been tried and found to be delicious on all accounts by myself and my test group of two (ages 5 and 9). (But I would still love to hear your results in the comments below!)

Chocolate Smoothie w/Kale and Collagen

Author: Leah Vachani
Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 1
Total Time: 6 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American

Description

This “No Fail Chocolate Kale Smoothie” is a staple in our home because according to my kids, “it’s delicious!” We drink it as a smoothie and we make it into popsicles in the summertime. (Simply pour the smoothie into popsicle molds and freeze).

To add the benefits of bone broth, use collagen (use the coupon KS10 for 10% off!) — but never gelatin as it will gum up your blender.

Scale

Ingredients

1 cup chocolate hazelnut milk (you can easily sub any type of milk here)

1 cup frozen blueberries

2–3 leaves kale

2 Tbsp raw cacao powder

½ banana (fresh or frozen)

1 Tbsp grass-fed collagen (use the coupon KS10 for 10% off!)

Instructions

Blend everything in a high powered blender (we use a Vitamix) for a couple of minutes and drink to your health!

Notes

Raw honey: 1 Tbsp can be added if you are weaning you (or your child’s) taste buds away from sugary, sweet foods towards less sweet tasting foods. Try to decrease the amount of honey as your taste buds adjust. (Don’t give honey to children under 1 year of age.)
You can sprinkle extra raw cacao powder or raw hemp seeds on top if you want some delicious decoration.

For the full recipe as well as how to make this smoothie into summertime popsicles, visit LunchwithLeah.com.

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