It's the 1st of December 2025

~ It's December 2025 ~

May the month ahead be a good one for you

In previous years regular readers will know I usually start each month with facts about the coming month ahead. This year however, has been a break with tradition, which I hope you have been enjoying. The first of each month's post has featured a lower carb recipe which uses, or includes foods, starting with the first letter of the month!

So here we go as it's now December and the twelfth and last month of the year!
D is for ? can you guess ?

Yes, I am talking about Dark Chocolate !

Now of course being December and the Festive Season there is a lot of chocolate in the shops and yes, prices for chocolate have risen quite steeply! You may not want to do any baking with dark chocolate, you may just choose to enjoy a square of it with a cup of coffee.

Many studies have shown that dark chocolate is incredibly healthy. Dark chocolate is loaded with fibre and antioxidants, as well as minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper and manganese. To make the most of the health benefits, it is recommended to eat dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70–85% or higher. As I mentioned above a piece of dark chocolate is especially delicious when enjoyed with a good cup of coffee.

Read more about dark chocolate here

~ sharing a recipe that uses dark chocolate ~

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Vegetarian : Dairy Free : Gluten Free

Rich and decadent, (well it is the festive season) this gluten-free and dairy-free chocolate cake can be served with a dollop of whipped coconut cream and raspberries. The addition of nut butter or tahini gives it a deep, nutty flavour.

You will need a loose bottom 18cm/7in baking tin and an electric whisk for this recipe.

Note, this recipe needs to cool for two hours, so do please factor this time when making and preparing this cake.

Ingredients

Serves 6 - 8

dash oil, for greasing

60g/2¼oz coconut oil

100g/3½oz dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids

70g/2½oz almond butter (or peanut butter/tahini)

3 (free-range) eggs, at room temperature

100g/3½oz caster sugar (or sweetener equivalent)

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tbsp desiccated coconut

2 tbsp ground almonds

To serve (optional)

80g/3oz coconut cream, whipped

150g/5½oz raspberries

Recipe instructions

can be seen here

Winter’s Lantern

(image from google/words courtesy of copilot)

 

The frost may weave its silver thread,

Across the earth where dreams have fled,

Yet in the hush, a light still glows,

A promise whispered through the snows.

For every branch that bends with white,

Holds buds asleep, awaiting light.

~ enjoy your December days ~

Missed last months (November) post you can see it here and the one for October is here

You will see a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan