Saying ciao to cacao is something many people aim to do for a plethora of reasons. I personally wanted to stop eating milk chocolate as it was the only thing holding me back from being a certified vegan (well, except for honey, so I guess I'm not fully there yet but it's not like I'm calling myself a vegetarian who eats fish and chicken). Anyway, chocolate was my only stroke of wickedness in the food world and the thought of living in a world without decadent and not so decadent, melt in your mouth, 'turn any bad day good' chocolate delights seemed just wrong!
I've never been a dairy Mary except for the milk chocolate (Green & Black's Organic Milk Chocolate was my weakness and I'm sure they have noticed a significant decline in their sales since I gave them up back in April). So what convinced me to give it up for good? One read of the 'Famous Milk Letter' did the trick (see link at end). So, now I was ready to venture into a world without milk chocolate but how was I to do it? How would I cope with the inevitable cacao withdrawal symptoms of shaking, mood swings and mistaking strangers in the street for walking Kit Kats, Caramello Koalas and Toblerone bars? I wasn't sure how to give up milk chocolate for good but as I clung tightly to my empty Green & Black's chocolate wrapper, I vowed to find a way!
Here is how I gave up milk chocolate several months ago with no relapses. I truly haven't found it hard at all and have enjoyed exploring the land of vegan chocolates as they are just as delicious (even more so), often quite good for you and leave you feeling much better after eating them!
Step 1: Replace the habit
I think this is the most profound step to breaking any bad habit. You need to do or eat something similar to your habit so the change feels easy and less of a shock. My routine involved some milk chocolate after dinner as my dessert so I made sure I had a vegan chocolate ready to eat in lieu of the milk chocolate for the evenings. Whatever time of day your cacao craving strikes, try and eat a vegan chocolate treat instead. You won't feel deprived and there are so many delicious vegan options out there. Just remember, some people say it takes approximately 21 days to form a new habit or even less to adapt to a new food or taste, so stick with it and it will soon feel very natural.
Step 2: Try eating delicious vegan chocolate
Booja Booja Truffles
These are hands down the product that make being a vegan with a sweet tooth easy. I never used to like truffles but one or two bites of Booja Booja's Hazelnut Truffles is enough to satisfy any chocolate cravings. They are divine!
Plamil Chocolate
This is another great one that many vegans probably already depend upon as the range is just like the chocolates you once loved in bar form and in delicious flavours. From what I remember, when I first tasted this chocolate I did notice the texture was different but now that my taste buds have adapted, I often reach for a strip of this chocolate for a treat (especially the Orange Chocolate).
Pulsin Discs
These raw chocolate discs are blended with exotic and potent ingredients such as goji berries, vitamin C, maca and ashwagandha root. Try the energy bomb with guarana, korean and siberian gingseng and great tea extract before your next ashtanga yoga class or when that 4pm sugar slump hits. Other varieties include: Berry Burst, Bliss Bomb and Coffee Brownie.
Cocoa Loco Nakd Bar
I've found these bars to be great for those times when you're on the go or can't find a decent vegan lunch or snack. They are tasty, filling, vegan, raw, high in protein and contain no artificial ingredients. The Cocoa Loco bar contains: dates, oats, mixed nuts, raisins, apple juice, cocoa and natural flavouring.
Non-dairy Chocolate Ice Cream
Chocolate and ice cream lovers will have all their sweet needs meet in a tub of good quality vegan chocolate ice cream. I favour Booja Booja's Hunky Punky Chocolate ice cream as it only has four ingredients and tastes incredible. I also like how their ice cream is light and refreshing and doesn't leave you with that icky feeling so many dairy ice creams often leave you with.
Step 3: Drink some chocolate tea
Ideal for those moments when a chocolate craving strikes or you begin to miss hot chocolates. Sipping some chocolate tea is a healthy and light option that still offers a wonderful chocolate taste and aroma! Try Pukka's Organic Pleasure Tea with cocoa, licorice, cardamom and chicory.
Step 4: Be a chocolate beauty
Perfect Organics Body Butters
A little chocolate scented body butter is great for you and your skin and thankfully Perfect Organics offer two delicious shea butters with organic cocoa butter: Mint Chocolate and Mandarin Chocolate (very natural and luscious with only four ingredients).
Raw Gaia Raw Chocolate Orange Bath Melt
Soak in a decadent bath and let your chocolate cravings drift away as the organic cacao butter and sweet orange oil soften and repair your skin.
Raw Gaia Raw Chocolate Face Pack
Raw Gaia also do a fabulous antioxidant rich, chocolate face mask which leaves skin with a healthy glow (see end of post for review).
Akamuti Shea Cocoa Mint Foot Butter
Keep your tootsies soft and pretty with this lovely foot moisturiser containing organic cocoa butter and tingly, cooling organic peppermint and spearmint essential oils.
Badger Balm Cocoa Butter Lip Balms
Moisturise your lips with organic cocoa butter from Badger Balm. There are two packs to select from (Mint, Mocha & Creamy or Orange, Lime and Creamy). These lip balms also contain soothing organic aloe vera, moisturising olive oil and beautiful organic essential oils. The Mocha Cocoa even has extracts of dark roasted organic Arabaca Coffee beans.
Step 5: Read the Famous Milk Letter at Not Milk
Booja Booja Hazelnut Truffles - Goodness Direct £1.29
Plamil Chocolate Review
Pulsin Discs - Reviews or purchase at Goodness Direct £1.66
Nakd Cocoa Loco Bar - Goodness Direct £1.05
Booja Booja Stuff in a Tub - Goodness Direct from £1.79 to £5.99 Pukka Pleasure Tea (Organic) - Natural Collection £2.09 Mint Chocolate Shea Butter - Perfect Organics $12.99 Raw Chocolate Orange Bath Melt - Raw Gaia £4.50 Raw Gaiai Raw Chocolate Face Pack Review Shea Cocoa Mint Foot Butter - Akamuti £7.50 Cocoa Butter Lip Balm 3 Pack - Badger Balm $13
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