Chocolate Is Healthy

There’s an excellent post over at Raw Epicurean about our favorite subject, raw cacao.  It’s a very straightforward introduction to cacao, where it comes from, how it’s processed and what it tastes like.  It also provides an overview of the nutritional value of cacao, without getting too scientific on us.

Even more exciting, they have a contest going on this month where you can win cacao products, so check it out!

She also provides this great recipe for chocolate sauce:

Chocolate Sauce

Make this sauce ahead; keep refrigerated up to two weeks.

1/2 cup cacao nibs powder
1/2 cup agave, or sweetener of choice [adjust amount as needed]
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoons organic vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until smooth.

Makes 3/4 cups

Cacao :: Herb of the Month : Raw Epicurean.

This recipe comes from the Green Smoothie website which has an number of good raw vegan chocolate dessert recipes such as chocolate brownies and chocolate mousse.   Their chocolate recipes all call for unsweetened cocoa or carob powder, rather than the more pricey cacao.

Raw Vegan Chocolate Cake

This decadent dessert will delight chocolate lovers.

• 1+1/2 cups raw walnuts, unsoaked
• Dash salt
• 12 pitted medjool dates, unsoaked
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa or carob powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries for garnish (optional)

Blend walnuts and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add dates, cocoa powder and vanilla, process until mixture begins to stick together. Add the water and process briefly.

Transfer to a serving plate and form into a 5-inch round cake. Chill for 2 hours. Decorate the cake and plate with fresh raspberries before serving, if desired. Covered with plastic wrap, Cake will keep for three days in refrigerator or two weeks in freezer. Yields one 5-inch cake, increase amounts for more.

via Raw Chocolate Recipes.

Raw food nutrition expert and shaman Daniel Vitalis hosted a recent gathering where he emphasized the psychoactive properties of the cacao plant .  The evening featured a raw chocolate sampling, where participants sampled a variety of raw chocolates.  Many myths about chocolate were also debunked.

“Vitalis picked up on the theme of alchemy, stating that psychoactive plants, like the cacao tree, are the No. 1 missing nutrient in our diet.

“When you consume psychoactive plants, here’s what happens: The plant makes neural transmitters, brain chemicals just like the one your brain makes, but better,” he explained. “In the presence of neurotransmitters, new neural pathways are laid down. We call them synaptic networks. These networks are where the neurons of your brain start to link together, connecting this thought to this thought, so when you start to take in these plant substances, you become more intelligent.”

A celebration of chocolate’s psychoactive properties.

Healthy chocolate sources and raw food diets often go hand in hand, because the less chocolate is processed and closer to its raw state, the healthier it is.

This Indian spiced yogurt recipe from Rawguru comes to life with cacao powder, and includes walnuts and coconut water. It would be lovely for either breakfast or dessert.

Chocolate Chai Yogurt

Chocolate Chai Yogurt – RawGuru.

With traditional chocolate chips replaced by cacao nibs and sugar replaced by agave nectar and fruits, you won’t miss the butter and sugar in this no-bake healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe.   Minimal processing of ingredients, and less of a “sugar spike” make this a healthy chocolate treat. It’s also a great treat for kids to make on their own, while learning to measure and combine ingredients.

Clean Eating Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup raisins
½ cup pitted dates
2 cups whole oats
1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
4 tbsp. agave or honey
2 tsp. cinnamon
Pinch of salt, to taste
½ cup cacao nibs

Directions:

1. Place raisins and dates in food processor and chop into small pieces.
2. Add oats, agave or honey, cinnamon and salt. Process to mix well.
3. Empty into a mixing bowl and add cacao nibs. Mix well.
4. Use a tablespoon measure to portion cookies.  Enjoy immediately or chill before serving for firmer texture.

Clean Eating: Kid-Friendly and Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies | Healthy Endeavors: Developing Healthy Eating Habits for Life!.