Ever since coming to university, I have learned about the many struggles of being a university student.

With mountains of work, the need to maintain a social life, and a desire to eat good food, I personally believe that it really can be difficult to keep a balanced lifestyle. With so many things to juggle on our plates, it is hard to be healthy and feel energised without burning out after a few weeks of the semester.

By eating healthy food (with a few indulgences now and then), exercising regularly, and maintaining a consistent sleeping pattern, we can continue to look after ourselves. As a dedicated foodie, I believe that delicious food will allow us to feel happy and healthy.

Unsurprisingly, I find that university students constantly crave chocolate. What’s not to love about it? It’s smooth texture and sweet taste make us just want more and more, even after finishing half a packet of Cadbury Freddo’s. We’ve often heard that it’s good for us, but what actually makes chocolate healthy?

Cacao is a super food and is an ingredient that can be found in dark chocolate. It is high in magnesium and other minerals. It boosts energy, mood, and helps to maintain heart health. I believe that the raw form of cacao is most beneficial for health. Since we’re all craving those sweet delicious foods such as chocolate, I’ve developed a vegan raw cacao hot chocolate. It’s super easy to make and tastes delicious, too!

Healthy Vegan Hot Chocolate (for 1)

Raw vegan hot chocolate

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons of raw cacao (I use Nature’s Way, but any high quality brand, such as Loving Earth, will work perfectly!)
  • 3-4 tablespoons of rice malt syrup (If you don’t have this, you can use honey)
  • 1 cup of vegan milk of your choice (coconut, almond or oat are great!)
  • Pinch of stevia
  • Pinch of cinnamon

Method:

  1. Using a saucepan or small pot, bring the pan to medium/high heat.
  2. When the pan is ready, pour in the milk and begin stirring.
  3. Add the rice malt/honey and stir until dissolved.
  4. Add the cacao and stir until dissolved, then add the stevia and cinnamon.
  5. Bring to high heat (but don’t let it boil!) and stir for another 3-5 mins until all the ingredients are dissolved.
  6. Serve in a nice mug or glass!

I believe that a drink should often be accompanied with food in order to create a delectable meal. Although pancakes are usually a breakfast favourite, they also taste great as a dessert. Perfect to accompany that tasty hot chocolate recipe above!


Healthy Buckwheat Pancakes

Buckwheat Pancakes topped with a raw chocolate sauce and banana

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of buckwheat flour
  • 2/3 cup of vegan milk of your choice (coconut, oat or almond are perfect!)
  • ½ cup of rice malt syrup (If you don’t have this, you can use honey)

Method: 

  1. In a large bowl, mix the buckwheat flour and milk together until a smooth mixture is produced.
  2. Stir in the rice malt.
  3. Heat a skillet or non-stick frying pan to medium/high heat.
  4. When the pan is ready, spoon the mixture onto the pan. You want to use about a cup of batter.
  5. Let the pancake cook on one side for about 3 minutes, then flip it and cook the other side for 3 minutes, too.
  6. Repeat until there is no leftover mixture!

To some buckwheat can taste bland, so I recommend adding fruit and other extra sweet nibbly things, such as bananas, frozen blueberries that have been melted in the microwave, and a vegan chocolate sauce!


Vegan Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup of rice malt syrup (If you don’t have this, you can use honey)
  • 4 tablespoons of cacao
  • 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil

Method:

  1. Mix the rice malt syrup and cacao together, then gradually add the coconut oil.
  2. Continue mixing until a smooth mixture is made.