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Difference between CACOA and COCOA

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Cacao is a bean from cacao plant. The scientific name of cacao is Theobroma cacao. Cacao pods are large in size, which grow from the Cacoa Plantlimbs and trunk of the tree and the beans are seen inside the pods. When the pods are in the tree, it is known as cacao. And Cocoa is a term used for the cacao seed after it has been harvested. The beans, once harvested, are fermented and dried and these beans are known as cocoa. In other words, cocoa is the refined or processed product of cacao. Where cacao is raw and unadulterated, cocoa is cooked and adulterated. Organic raw cacao is my favorite!

Cacao is known to contain more than 300 compounds that include carbohydrates, fat, protein, copper, fiber, iron, calcium, zinc, sulphur and magnesium. But once the pods are heated, or processed, they lose much of their nutritional value.

Try making your own chocolates using raw cacoa as a treat and for the health benefits! I also add a tablespoon to smoothies for a satisfying chocolate flavor without all the added fats and sugar. Here’s a super simple recipe and be sure to check below for links to some other chocolate treat sensations we whip up at home.

Homemade Cacao Bark

¼ pound (4 ounces) of cocoa butter
¼ cup of organic raw cacao powder
1 ½ – 2 tablespoons of honey
½ of a vanilla bean pod (optional)
Melt the cocoa butter using a double boiler or in a bowl resting above a pot of hot water. Mix in the cacao, honey and vanilla bean scrapings. It’s now ready to pour in molds or my favorite way (and easiest) is to pour the mixture onto a dinner plate and put it in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to harden.

Once it’s hardened I break it (or cut) into pieces and enjoy! Stores great in fridge for a couple weeks.

FOR EXTRA FUN: I add dried blueberries, cherries, cacao nibs, and raw sunflower seeds in the melted mixture to give myself a bit of variety. Super yummy too!

Check out my other chocolate fix recipes that are healthier choices over store-bought, processed junk! The taste difference is amazingly different…and it’s healthier. Who said eating healthy didn’t taste great? Not me! 🙂

Peanut Butter Cups

Healthy Peanut Butter Cup
Hubby likes these better than Reece’s! You will too…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frozen Banana Bites

Frozen Banana Bites
Dairy free frozen treat. Quick and simple frozen banana bites are great to make with kids!

Frozen Banana Bites

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Most of us buy bananas. Inevitably a couple of the bananas get past their prime before we get around to eating them. In my waste not-want not way I’m always on the prowl to figure out how to use my icky bananas.

There is always the time-tested banana bread, freezing them in thirds for quick smoothie add ins or my new favorite is chocolate covered frozen bites.

Frozen Banana Bites
Dairy free frozen treat. Quick and simple frozen banana bites are great to make with kids!

 

These little bits of frozen goodness are quick, easy and fun to make. I’ve made these with my nieces before and they loved it – so get some kids in on the kitchen magic action too!

 Frozen Banana Bites

 Ingredients

2 ripe bananas (I like them to have brown spots all over them – makes them sweeter!)

1/4 to 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips

1/4 to 1/3 cup natural peanut butter (Not a fan of peanut butter? Just replace the peanut butter with ¼ cup of coconut oil. Works great too!)

Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

 Directions

  1. Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper. Doesn’t matter what you use – just make sure it’ll fit in the freezer later.
  2. Cut your bananas into chunks. I don’t like mine too thick, but do whatever floats your boat. Rule of thumb – a large banana yields 8-10 chunks for me. Some like 5-6 per banana. Up to you!
  3. In a small sauce pan, heat the peanut butter and chocolate chips on low heat until really smooth. You can use the microwave for about a minute, but please use a glass bowl.
  4. Now the fun part! Dip the banana pieces in the chocolate-peanut butter mixture. I use a fork to drain them off a bit and lay them on the parchment paper. Leave a little space between them. Note: If you have left over mixture, spoon it on the tops for even more yummy goodness!
  5. This is optional, but we like to sprinkle coconut on top. Dresses them up and adds some flavor.
  6. Transfer to the freezer for about an hour so they harden. They aren’t frozen through yet (that will take 24 hours), but you can now put them in a container to keep in the freezer.

Once they’re frozen, you will swear you are gobbling down a chocolate covered vanilla ice cream ball. For real! Enjoy!

What’s for breakfast?

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Why are smoothies important for breakfast?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and sometimes it just doesn’t fit into our schedule the way it should. How we begin the day  determines how the rest of the day goes. It determines if we feel energized or if we feel dragging with a lack of energy. What we put in our bellies is directly related to how we physically feel. So if you are a skip breakfast and grab the coffee mug morning person then this blog post is totally for you.

We all need and crave energy. I know I do! Sometimes it is so easy to want to grab a quick bowl of cereal or even forget breakfast and just get through the morning on 1-2 cups of coffee for the energy needed to survive the day. I don’t want you to just survive through the day though; I want you to thrive through the day. I also don’t want you to go on the “crash and crave” roller coaster for the entire day. If you begin your morning with caffeinated coffee and sugar, you will crash, and you will be either too tired to make it through your responsibilities or you will be reaching for another cup of coffee to get through a few more hours.

Blueberry Smoothie Breakfast

Smoothies are another quick alternative to a fast breakfast that can help energize us throughout the entire day. When you toss in some greens, a little fruit, and a healthy liquid like coconut water, you are bound to feel energetic and ready to take on the day. Starting the day with a smoothie also gives you well needed antioxidants which help protect our bodies from free radicals, and it is a great low glycemic start. Eating a low glycemic breakfast will help curb your sugar cravings for the entire day and it will also help with not crashing.

Next time you want a quick breakfast, try a delicious smoothie that will leave you feeling energized and motivated. A morning smoothie provides your body with the nutrients it needs to produce natural energy and naturally boost your metabolism. So, what are you reaching for tomorrow morning? I know I will be pulling out my blender and getting ready for some long-lasting energy.