Joy+Love

Fleurbain Truffles

3/4 c old fashioned oats (pulverized in a food processor)

3/4 c macadamia and cashew nut-butter (or a nut-butter of your choice)

1/4 c cocoa

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla

3 tbsp amaretto

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 c chopped dried cherries

1/4 mini chocolate chips

Mix together and form into truffles. ?áStore in the fridge.

Damiana Joy+Love Liqueur

I brought this to a winter party a few years ago. ?áPeople found this drink both intriguing and fun. ?áDamiana is quite aromatic due to volatile oils. ?áThe flavour of damiana can be subdued or enhanced with other foods associated with joy and warmth; cardamom, almond, vanilla, cherry, cinnamon and chocolate. ?áIn terms of medicinal properties, one of my favourite summaries is from Rosemary Gladstar. ?áIn her Family Herbal she states, “…it is completely restorative; it restores exhausted nerves, exhausted dreams and exhausted spirit.” ?áThough there is a folk history of use as an aphrodisiac, herbalists generally qualify this herb as a mild?áanti-depressant, particularly useful in what David Winston calls a stagnant depression. ?áThe volatile oils act as carminatives that aid in digestion.

1/2 c damiana tincture

1/2 c amaretto

1/4 c chocolate sauce (I made my own from unsweetened chocolate, water, maple syrup, sugar and vanilla)

rosewater and vanilla to taste

Pour together and store in the fridge. ?áCould it be any easier? ?áEnjoy a small shot when desired.

These photos were taken during the LAB Series which runs on Thursdays between 3-6pm. Next week, February 21st, Tammy Schmidt will continue in a similar vein demonstrating herbs used to lighten our spirits in the dark of winter. ?áWe hope you are able to join us!

Fleurbain is at 460 St Catherine West, Unit 917, Montreal.