cacoa

What does a candy-free February look like?

February 5, 2019 by Joni Leave a Comment

It looks better than you may have imagined!

Try some of these non-food nourishing gift ideas and I’ve added a yummy Homemade Chocolate Truffle recipe to satisfy the sweet tooth naturally:

♥ The American Heart Association suggests a gift from the heart, such as a poem or love letter. Choose a favorite poem or write what you feel. Write or type it on beautiful paper (check out some options on Etsy.) In between relationships? Write yourself a loving, “non-negotiable” list – all the things you will never put up with in a relationship ever again. Or write a friend or loved one who has been an inspiration or support in your life.

♥ Savor the moments in pictures. Do you have a ton of pictures on your phone but rarely print them out? Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to remember your loved ones with the thoughtful gift of photos. I love the app Groovebook – for $2.99 a month you can upload up to 100 pictures and Groovebook automatically sends you a photo album each month! Or go for a year of love with a photo calendar – apps like Shutterfly make it easy!

♥Get really decadent and draw yourself a relaxing bubble bath with candles, rose petals, and a bubbly beverage. Yes! You are worth it.

♥ Spend a night with no electronics or digital distractions! Make a fire, bundle up and go for a walk, or have a few friends over and serve the heart-healthy treats below with sparkling water and raspberries.

Instead of reaching for something sweet, chocolaty or gooey this Valentine’s Day, try some of these ideas for indulging the ones you love. (And that includes YOU!)

Taking time to draw a hot relaxing bath is a wonderful way to treat yourself!

Crowd out the candy with Homemade Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

2 cups organic pitted Medjool dates – soaked in warm water for 2- 3 hours

2- 3 TBSP raw cacao powder, extra for coating

¼ cup cacao nibs

¼ cups goji berries

1 TBSP coconut oil

2 TBSP chopped raw almonds, walnuts or cashews (soaked 1-3 hrs.)

1 tsp vanilla extract

Sea salt to taste

Directions:

Soak pitted dates in warm water for 2 – 3 hours, until soft.
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor until you have a very smooth, uniform consistency. Use your spatula to scrape the dough down until it’s well combined as you blend.
Scoop out mixture one teaspoon at a time, roll into small balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Mixture will be very sticky; wet or lightly coat hands with coconut oil to make it easier to manage.
Roll balls into additional cacao powder.
Place truffles in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm.

Chocolate Mint Fudge

December 12, 2018 by Joni Leave a Comment

Chocolate Mint! Oh, my!

I grew up looking forward to all my Mom’s holiday candy making and fudge was always my favorite.

But here’s the deal… Since I’ve gotten the sugar monkey off my back the thought of Mom’s fudge just doesn’t do it for me anymore. No worries. I just came up with a healthier solution. A solution that makes me feel good when I indulge!

This yummy cacao (healthier than processed chocolate!) dessert recipe helps you get through the holidays without packing on the pounds or feeling deprived.

These are great for a pre-workout energy bite, to bring to a holiday party and to crowd-out holiday candy.

Chocolate-Mint Fudge

You will need a mini muffin tin and mini muffin papers.

Ingredients:
* 1 ½ cups walnuts
* 1 cup pitted dates
* 1 tsp vanilla
* 1/3 cup cacao powder
* ½ cup fresh mint (or a drop of peppermint essential oil)

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in food processor, pulse and then blend well. The mixture should have the consistency of peanut butter.

Use a melon baller to scoop out mixture and form into one-inch balls; place in mini muffin paper cups. (I place the paper cups in a mini muffin tray so they don’t slide around.)

Leave as a round ball or simply press mixture into muffin cup (not as pretty but less fuss).

Remove muffin cups from tray and place in a re-sealable storage container using wax paper in between layers; store in freezer for at least one hour.

Remove and serve cold or at room temperature.

*Note: if you are reducing caffeine for a better night’s sleep, remember that cacao has caffeine. If you do eat a piece of the fudge, do so earlier in the day!

Difference between CACOA and COCOA

September 11, 2015 by Joni Leave a Comment

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 limbs 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