There’s something about chocolate that is utterly irresistible. Whether we’re getting over a break up, celebrating a birthday or simply relaxing in front of the TV – chocolate makes everything that little bit more delicious.
What’s not so appetising is the calorie count. So imagine if we could indulge in some guilt-free chocolate therapy! Well model and full-time mum, Abigail O’Neill, has done more than just imagine it – she has made it a reality for all of us chocoholics.
Combining her love for chocolate and healthy, figure-friendly foods, Abigail has brought out her first e-book, Model Chocolate.
With over 70 mostly raw, sugar free, gluten free and dairy free chocolate recipes illustrated with high-fashion-style images, there’s no need to feel guilty about your favourite food this summer.
We caught up with Abigail to find out more about her book – and she’s even shared one of her favourite recipes with us.
RESCU: What was your inspiration to compile Model Chocolate? Abigail O’Neill: I love healthy good food, especially raw/superfoods, and even more especially raw cacao CHOCOLATE, so I wanted to share it in a way that would get the attention it deserves! This kind of chocolate is so easy to make, so delicious and really does contribute to you being more beautiful, so I wanted to portray that.
RESCU: Where does your love affair with chocolate come from?
Abigail: I’ve made chocolate this way for years without giving it much thought, apart from how amazing it was! I’ve always loved spoiling my family and friends with this kind of chocolate, they can never believe its actually healthy!
RESCU: Who is the book aimed at?
Abigail: Mostly fashion conscious women I suppose, as we women seem to be more desperate about chocolate. That said, I’ve had so many tough looking men line up to purchase the ebook lately that I should say, ANYONE!
RESCU: Can chocolate really be healthy for you?
Abigail: Totally!! If you go back a few years when people were discovering how good extra virgin olive oil was for you instead of heated, processed fats; think of this as EXTRA VIRGIN CHOCOLATE and much the same! There is no superfood that compares to raw cacao on so many levels – I haven’t touched much on the nutrient levels in my book either, you’d almost need a library! Its just what we’ve done to chocolate, we’ve refined and heated it, and filled it up with milk products and loads of sugar…
RESCU: What type of chocolate is mainly used in the recipes?
Abigail: Raw superfood cacao powder, cacao butter, cacao beans/nibs and sometimes organic cocoa for flavour/texture variation or for availability. All of the recipes are sweetened without cane sugar, with many options to choose from and all of the recipes are dairy free and almost all gluten free, with many even nut free so there’s something for absolutely everybody.
RESCU: Whats your favourite recipe from the book?
Abigail: Oh I have many favourites! I’m actually into healing chocolates, that’s my forte, so I love the Goji Ginger Healer which actually works to boost your immune system and repress sore throats/colds! It also tastes delish! There are 78 recipes in Model Chocolate, there are all the expected ‘yummy’ chocolates, also many breakfast/snack options and even cacao based healthful drinks In the miscellaneous section there is a beauty bath and face mask, plus excellent milk/cream alternatives.
RESCU: What do your children think of the recipes?
Abigail: They beg me for them. They’ve been huge taste testers and now that the book is on my iPhone, they are always making them themselves, which suits me perfectly!
RESCU: Do you have plans for another recipe book?
Abigail: I want to get Model Chocolate into print next year (its simply too fabulous and fashionable not to be printed!) and after that, yes I have a few ideas…
This big spicy, antioxidant rich block is perfect with a cup of green tea for those days when you don’t feel 100%. Winter wonder chocolate!
150g creamed coconut
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons jellybush/manuka or raw honey
½ cup dehydrated ginger pieces, halved
½ cup goji berries or more
Pinch celtic salt
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
Melt creamed coconut & oil over a bowl of boiled water.
Add all other ingredients in order, & mix gently until combined.
Pour into a lined dish & allow it to set in the fridge until needed. I like this recipe set quite thickly.
Cut pieces off, as desired.
10 minutes to prepare.
Makes 10 – 20 big chunks.
Model Chocolate is available from https://abigailoneill.net/newsite/ and the print edition will follow in early 2013.
